TAKE FIVE is a series of 'interviews' where all participants take the same five questions.
SUE McCREETH - Take Five No: 30
Can you tell us about your new album and launch concert?
The new album is a compilation of my best original work over the past 15 years, and all the tracks have been re-mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London. There are four brand new tracks too.
This cd has many different kinds of groove influenced by Miles Davis, Bitches Brew, original swing in ‘She Want Him’, some funk influenced by Eryka Badu, soul, bossa, and a bit of a rocky vibe too. I wanted to make this album because, especially since receiving a formal jazz education with Berklee College of Music, where I have studied with Gary Burton and Joe Mulholland, it became clear to me just how generous the British musicians have been over the years. John Horler, Andrew Cleyndert, Dave Green, Mark Fletcher and other great British musicians have sight read my chord charts on gigs and in recording studios and brought a true and deep jazz sensibility to my music.
I am also, in a way, doing self talk and encouragement in making this cd, because over many years I have, in the most determined way, pursued the sounds which I could hear clearly in my head, and I had to run many chord sequences to bring those sounds to life.
The live set at Pizza Express Dean Street at the end of the month will feature songs over the past 15 years from this cd, and also some mainstream beauties from my previous cd, ‘Queer Bird’. I’ll also be working in a modest way with some Indian and Arabic sounds, and singing in various languages. If I could describe my set it would be: high energy with a few cool moments, international, extremely varied, mainstream and modern. Joining me on stage will be Paul Harrison (piano), Andrew Cleyndert (double bass) and Mark Fletcher (drums). These three excellent musicians know my material very well and the set will be well rehearsed.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I write and record with two of my longest standing colleagues, Ian Salmon and Mike Varty in the band which we call ‘Infinite Sunday’. There are some Infinite Sunday tracks on ‘Look Back and Love’ and one of the brand new tracks, ’Infinity’, is from this project. We release about one new track each and every year, the tracks being extremely high end production. We co-write all of the material, and generally have a lovely time when we get together.
The new album is a compilation of my best original work over the past 15 years, and all the tracks have been re-mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London. There are four brand new tracks too.
This cd has many different kinds of groove influenced by Miles Davis, Bitches Brew, original swing in ‘She Want Him’, some funk influenced by Eryka Badu, soul, bossa, and a bit of a rocky vibe too. I wanted to make this album because, especially since receiving a formal jazz education with Berklee College of Music, where I have studied with Gary Burton and Joe Mulholland, it became clear to me just how generous the British musicians have been over the years. John Horler, Andrew Cleyndert, Dave Green, Mark Fletcher and other great British musicians have sight read my chord charts on gigs and in recording studios and brought a true and deep jazz sensibility to my music.
I am also, in a way, doing self talk and encouragement in making this cd, because over many years I have, in the most determined way, pursued the sounds which I could hear clearly in my head, and I had to run many chord sequences to bring those sounds to life.
The live set at Pizza Express Dean Street at the end of the month will feature songs over the past 15 years from this cd, and also some mainstream beauties from my previous cd, ‘Queer Bird’. I’ll also be working in a modest way with some Indian and Arabic sounds, and singing in various languages. If I could describe my set it would be: high energy with a few cool moments, international, extremely varied, mainstream and modern. Joining me on stage will be Paul Harrison (piano), Andrew Cleyndert (double bass) and Mark Fletcher (drums). These three excellent musicians know my material very well and the set will be well rehearsed.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I write and record with two of my longest standing colleagues, Ian Salmon and Mike Varty in the band which we call ‘Infinite Sunday’. There are some Infinite Sunday tracks on ‘Look Back and Love’ and one of the brand new tracks, ’Infinity’, is from this project. We release about one new track each and every year, the tracks being extremely high end production. We co-write all of the material, and generally have a lovely time when we get together.
Click on the album cover to read our review
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
Joe Mulholland, my Berklee teacher, who I still study with, introduced me to a CD called ‘Map to the Treasure’ by Billy Childs. The material is all Laura Nyro songs, some of the best songs ever written in my view. I love this cd because the musicians, including Wayne Shorter, bring a true and deep jazz sensibility to Laura’s ingenious music. This CD features some of the greatest singers around, including the opera star Renee Fleming, who in this context sounds like the richest, deepest jazz voice you could hear, possibly! Well I have just bought the cd for the third time because I have already given two copies away.
I’m also listening to The Three Degrees, who I used to sing along with aged 16. I love their voices, and think about their sound in the mid range of my voice. Jill Scott Layla Hathaway keep me up late watching youtube, often the same videos over and over. I’m working my way through Joe Mulholland’s cds, and am writing lyrics for one of his songs.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
Possibly the one that always stands out for me is Wayne Shorter, Native Dancer. The track ‘Lilia’ featuring Airto Moreiro on percussion and voice is one of my favourite tracks of all time. The groove is unique. This is where I got my idea for grooves from, so I don’t write in a typically Latin way, or funk way, or rock way, I twist and turn the ideas around in my head and try to come up with something that is new. I was inspired to do this by Native Dancer.
Who has caught you attention recently that we should be listening out for?
A: I am listening to other singers a lot at the moment, and less just now to Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Flora Purim, Pat Metheny, John Scofield. I love Dianne Reeves and Carmen Lundy, Esperanza Spalding, Jill Scott and Layla Hathaway. I’ve seen Snarky Pupply live three times over the past two years. For jazz at the cutting edge of mainstream improvisational genius, our own Liane Carroll cuts it in my view – the most complex vocal lines delivered one after the other, bam bam bam, intonation perfectly accurate.
Album launch for Look Back and Love on 29th May at the Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho.
Joe Mulholland, my Berklee teacher, who I still study with, introduced me to a CD called ‘Map to the Treasure’ by Billy Childs. The material is all Laura Nyro songs, some of the best songs ever written in my view. I love this cd because the musicians, including Wayne Shorter, bring a true and deep jazz sensibility to Laura’s ingenious music. This CD features some of the greatest singers around, including the opera star Renee Fleming, who in this context sounds like the richest, deepest jazz voice you could hear, possibly! Well I have just bought the cd for the third time because I have already given two copies away.
I’m also listening to The Three Degrees, who I used to sing along with aged 16. I love their voices, and think about their sound in the mid range of my voice. Jill Scott Layla Hathaway keep me up late watching youtube, often the same videos over and over. I’m working my way through Joe Mulholland’s cds, and am writing lyrics for one of his songs.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
Possibly the one that always stands out for me is Wayne Shorter, Native Dancer. The track ‘Lilia’ featuring Airto Moreiro on percussion and voice is one of my favourite tracks of all time. The groove is unique. This is where I got my idea for grooves from, so I don’t write in a typically Latin way, or funk way, or rock way, I twist and turn the ideas around in my head and try to come up with something that is new. I was inspired to do this by Native Dancer.
Who has caught you attention recently that we should be listening out for?
A: I am listening to other singers a lot at the moment, and less just now to Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Flora Purim, Pat Metheny, John Scofield. I love Dianne Reeves and Carmen Lundy, Esperanza Spalding, Jill Scott and Layla Hathaway. I’ve seen Snarky Pupply live three times over the past two years. For jazz at the cutting edge of mainstream improvisational genius, our own Liane Carroll cuts it in my view – the most complex vocal lines delivered one after the other, bam bam bam, intonation perfectly accurate.
Album launch for Look Back and Love on 29th May at the Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho.
POLLY GIBBONS - Take Five No: 29
Can you tell us about your new album and launch concert?
Is it me...? is the title of my new album and I would say it's got a real mix of sounds and styles on it. I've always been into so many different styles of music and this album has the most eclectic mix on an album I've made yet. It's swinging with a seven piece horn section, has 'still' ballads on it, it has Hammond organ on two tracks with a gospel/blues feel and some funky/groovy stuff too! The UK album launch is on Tuesday at Pizza Express with a super band of piano, bass, drums and guitar!
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I'm often writing ideas with James Pearson, but just at the moment I'm pretty much focussed on gigging and promoting this album. I'm always up for different collaborations which inspire though!
Is it me...? is the title of my new album and I would say it's got a real mix of sounds and styles on it. I've always been into so many different styles of music and this album has the most eclectic mix on an album I've made yet. It's swinging with a seven piece horn section, has 'still' ballads on it, it has Hammond organ on two tracks with a gospel/blues feel and some funky/groovy stuff too! The UK album launch is on Tuesday at Pizza Express with a super band of piano, bass, drums and guitar!
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I'm often writing ideas with James Pearson, but just at the moment I'm pretty much focussed on gigging and promoting this album. I'm always up for different collaborations which inspire though!
Click on the album cover to read our review
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
I've enjoyed checking out Vulfpeck. I actually haven't checked out a lot of new stuff of late but I've been to a few gigs lately and really enjoyed Avery Sunshine who's a super singer/pianist and writer.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
That's near on impossible to answer. But an album I really think is superb and came to mind is Prince's 'love sexy'. The songs are all brilliant, super funky and unique. It's just so full of surprises and jazz!
Who has caught you attention recently that we should be listening out for?
I've mentioned Avery Sunshine who is superb to check out live, one of the most generous performers I've seen for a long time. Also, Paulinho Garcia and Concha Buika. I was introduced to them recently and really think they're both wonderful.
Album launch: 16 May 2017: Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho, London
I've enjoyed checking out Vulfpeck. I actually haven't checked out a lot of new stuff of late but I've been to a few gigs lately and really enjoyed Avery Sunshine who's a super singer/pianist and writer.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
That's near on impossible to answer. But an album I really think is superb and came to mind is Prince's 'love sexy'. The songs are all brilliant, super funky and unique. It's just so full of surprises and jazz!
Who has caught you attention recently that we should be listening out for?
I've mentioned Avery Sunshine who is superb to check out live, one of the most generous performers I've seen for a long time. Also, Paulinho Garcia and Concha Buika. I was introduced to them recently and really think they're both wonderful.
Album launch: 16 May 2017: Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho, London
GLEN MANBY - Take Five No: 28
Can you tell us about your new album?
Three years ago, thinking about my next move musically, I asked myself: what would be my dream project? The answer was, the chance to play with some of the best hard bop players in the UK!
For some time I had known that I definitely wanted to start a quintet with trumpeter Steve Waterman. Having approached Steve, I then contacted some of my favourite musicians in Britain: Leon Greening (piano), Adam King (bass), and Matt Home (drums).
After an initial rehearsal, we decided to record a demo in order to try and get some gigs. My application to the Arts Council of Wales for a Project Grant to fund the recording was successful, but once we had the results of the studio session, it started to become something else other than just a demo. Steve passed on a copy of the final mixes to David Hays of Mainstem Records, who released it on his jazz label.
The CD features mostly my own compositions, in which the main aim was to sound both idiomatic and lyrical. My pieces were inspired by a number of different ideas, but the idea of starting off somewhere, then moving to another place, both literally and metaphorically, seems to form a common thread; the opening track tries to convey a sense of the anticipation and the unknown when heading off on a “Night Flight”; “Heimweh”, which is German for homesickness, is a long form minor blues, and came to me on the flight home from a particularly eventful trip to India. And, within all that movement, the track “Mayfly” is intended to represent a sense of only being here for a fleeting moment, but it being a source of wonder that we are here for that moment at all. “Farewell” was written as an immediate response to the news that someone close was entering the final stage in their journey of life, and tries to express the feelings of sadness and love that accompany such a moment.
The CD got a favourable review straight away from Ian Mann on the Jazzman website, then shortly afterwards it got a 4-star review from Dave Gelly as jazz CD of the week in the Observer. The album launch in London will be at the Mill Hill Jazz Club on Wednesday 10 May, and the Wales launch will be at 6.15pm on Saturday 10 June at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff.
What other projects are you involved in?
As well as teaching, I am playing in various straight-ahead quartets and trios. I am also involved in a couple of larger group projects run by Paul Hornsby, a big band called “The Collective”, and an eight-piece called “Octopia”.
I recently had the wonderful opportunity to perform some of the “Bird With Strings” arrangements with an orchestra, as well as the British premiere of Brubeck’s “Dialogues for Jazz Combo and Orchestra”, so I am hoping we may be able to repeat the experience sometime in the not-too-distant future.
Three years ago, thinking about my next move musically, I asked myself: what would be my dream project? The answer was, the chance to play with some of the best hard bop players in the UK!
For some time I had known that I definitely wanted to start a quintet with trumpeter Steve Waterman. Having approached Steve, I then contacted some of my favourite musicians in Britain: Leon Greening (piano), Adam King (bass), and Matt Home (drums).
After an initial rehearsal, we decided to record a demo in order to try and get some gigs. My application to the Arts Council of Wales for a Project Grant to fund the recording was successful, but once we had the results of the studio session, it started to become something else other than just a demo. Steve passed on a copy of the final mixes to David Hays of Mainstem Records, who released it on his jazz label.
The CD features mostly my own compositions, in which the main aim was to sound both idiomatic and lyrical. My pieces were inspired by a number of different ideas, but the idea of starting off somewhere, then moving to another place, both literally and metaphorically, seems to form a common thread; the opening track tries to convey a sense of the anticipation and the unknown when heading off on a “Night Flight”; “Heimweh”, which is German for homesickness, is a long form minor blues, and came to me on the flight home from a particularly eventful trip to India. And, within all that movement, the track “Mayfly” is intended to represent a sense of only being here for a fleeting moment, but it being a source of wonder that we are here for that moment at all. “Farewell” was written as an immediate response to the news that someone close was entering the final stage in their journey of life, and tries to express the feelings of sadness and love that accompany such a moment.
The CD got a favourable review straight away from Ian Mann on the Jazzman website, then shortly afterwards it got a 4-star review from Dave Gelly as jazz CD of the week in the Observer. The album launch in London will be at the Mill Hill Jazz Club on Wednesday 10 May, and the Wales launch will be at 6.15pm on Saturday 10 June at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff.
What other projects are you involved in?
As well as teaching, I am playing in various straight-ahead quartets and trios. I am also involved in a couple of larger group projects run by Paul Hornsby, a big band called “The Collective”, and an eight-piece called “Octopia”.
I recently had the wonderful opportunity to perform some of the “Bird With Strings” arrangements with an orchestra, as well as the British premiere of Brubeck’s “Dialogues for Jazz Combo and Orchestra”, so I am hoping we may be able to repeat the experience sometime in the not-too-distant future.
Click in the album cover to read our review
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
I keep finding myself playing “A Little Bit of Stitt” (1959) by Sonny Stitt, and Jimmy Cobb’s “Marsalis Music Honours” has some great alto playing by Andrew Speight - check out his solo on “Can you Read my Mind?”
My most recent CD acquisition was a Japanese import copy of “Floresta Canto” by Phil Woods, as I had almost worn out my vinyl copy playing along with it!
What is your all time favourite album and why?
It is difficult to pinpoint one single album, as so many great albums have been made; however, if I had to choose just one, it might well be “’58 Sessions Featuring Stella By Starlight” by the Miles Davis Sextet. This was the studio date recorded in between “Milestones” and “Kind of Blue”; the band was the same one that cut the latter title, and the record really has it all: delicate (“Fran Dance”), sublimely and powerfully beautiful (“Stella by Starlight”), cooking straight ahead (“Love For Sale”) and, possibly my favourite version of the tune, a wonderfully atmospheric version of “Green Dolphin Street”; all in all, brilliant standard tunes, all-time legendary jazz musicians in one band, everyone plays their socks off - it really doesn’t get much better than this!
Who has caught your attention recently who we should be looking out for?
I am constantly amazed at the number of great players around the world! I have just been checking out Mary Fettig: she teaches in San Francisco, and maybe not many people in Britain know of her, but she was the first female member of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, and played with Airto, Flora Purim, and Tito Puente – a wonderfully musical altoist and flautist. And I also recently discovered the tenor player Larry McKenna – once again, just good taste and musicality!
I keep finding myself playing “A Little Bit of Stitt” (1959) by Sonny Stitt, and Jimmy Cobb’s “Marsalis Music Honours” has some great alto playing by Andrew Speight - check out his solo on “Can you Read my Mind?”
My most recent CD acquisition was a Japanese import copy of “Floresta Canto” by Phil Woods, as I had almost worn out my vinyl copy playing along with it!
What is your all time favourite album and why?
It is difficult to pinpoint one single album, as so many great albums have been made; however, if I had to choose just one, it might well be “’58 Sessions Featuring Stella By Starlight” by the Miles Davis Sextet. This was the studio date recorded in between “Milestones” and “Kind of Blue”; the band was the same one that cut the latter title, and the record really has it all: delicate (“Fran Dance”), sublimely and powerfully beautiful (“Stella by Starlight”), cooking straight ahead (“Love For Sale”) and, possibly my favourite version of the tune, a wonderfully atmospheric version of “Green Dolphin Street”; all in all, brilliant standard tunes, all-time legendary jazz musicians in one band, everyone plays their socks off - it really doesn’t get much better than this!
Who has caught your attention recently who we should be looking out for?
I am constantly amazed at the number of great players around the world! I have just been checking out Mary Fettig: she teaches in San Francisco, and maybe not many people in Britain know of her, but she was the first female member of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, and played with Airto, Flora Purim, and Tito Puente – a wonderfully musical altoist and flautist. And I also recently discovered the tenor player Larry McKenna – once again, just good taste and musicality!
TRISH CLOWES - Take Five No: 27
Can you tell us about your new album?
Sure. The music on My Iris has been developing since 2013, initially with just Ross Stanley and Chris Montague – James Maddren joined the picture early last year. Most of the music is mine, but for this album I commissioned composer/vocalist/harper Cevanne Horrocks-Hopayian to write a piece for us that would feature my own vocal chords. There’s lots of new things on this album I think, and it’s exciting to feel the band/music grow with each gig. I’m eager to get writing for them again very soon. Ross has currently got me checking out everything from 20th century church organ music to Jimi Hendrix (with Larry Young etc)… so who knows what will happen next…?!
What other projects are you currently involved in?
The GLOW quartet with Gareth Williams (and Calum Gourlay & Martin France) has been going for a little while now, I love this band too. It’s very much a collaboration between Gareth and I. We play tunes we love, write music on the back of things we check out together & what works for the band, it just evolves with time. We’ll make a record one day when we’re ready.
Myself and Mike Walker also want to get back to writing more songs together… And I’m working with saxophonist Tom Harrison & presenter/broadcaster Fiona Talkington on future Emulsion activities (my new music project/festival).
Sure. The music on My Iris has been developing since 2013, initially with just Ross Stanley and Chris Montague – James Maddren joined the picture early last year. Most of the music is mine, but for this album I commissioned composer/vocalist/harper Cevanne Horrocks-Hopayian to write a piece for us that would feature my own vocal chords. There’s lots of new things on this album I think, and it’s exciting to feel the band/music grow with each gig. I’m eager to get writing for them again very soon. Ross has currently got me checking out everything from 20th century church organ music to Jimi Hendrix (with Larry Young etc)… so who knows what will happen next…?!
What other projects are you currently involved in?
The GLOW quartet with Gareth Williams (and Calum Gourlay & Martin France) has been going for a little while now, I love this band too. It’s very much a collaboration between Gareth and I. We play tunes we love, write music on the back of things we check out together & what works for the band, it just evolves with time. We’ll make a record one day when we’re ready.
Myself and Mike Walker also want to get back to writing more songs together… And I’m working with saxophonist Tom Harrison & presenter/broadcaster Fiona Talkington on future Emulsion activities (my new music project/festival).
Click on the album cover to read our review.
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
Well, I’ve bought a lot of music recently…. The very last things I downloaded/bought from iTunes were some tracks by Autechre (electronic music, very much NOT jazz!) and Tank and the Bangas’ ‘Think Tank’ after seeing them on the Tiny Desk… and Mary Lou Williams Quartet ft. Don Byas. Last CDs I bought were ‘Deep Listening’ by Pauline Oliveros, Judee Sill, Joe Harriott ‘Abstract/Southern Horizons’ and from a bit further back, still loving Vijay Iyer’s ‘Mutations’. Like everyone else I use youtube for live/bootleg recordings (recently, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Joanne Brackeen, Sonny Stitt). Then on LP, Prince (Parade in particular) & Jimi Hendrix… And on Qobuz (awesome streaming app, way better than Spotify), listening to organ music by Marcel Dupre (recommended by Ross as mentioned above), Nina Simone and the Piano!, Alice Coltrane (various), Weather Report early albums & Live in Tokyo (‘84)… the list goes on…. but that will do for now!
What is your all time favourite album and why?
This is an impossible question to answer, but if I HAD to name one it would be between Wayne Shorter’s ‘High Life’ and ‘Footprints Live!’ – purely down to the influence those albums had on me in my late teens to early twenties, through to the music I choose to make to this day.
Who has caught your attention recently that we should be listening out for?
Helena Kay (sax), Ashley Henry (pno), Daniel Casimir (bass), Meilana Gillard (sax), Camilla George (sax), Freddie Gavita (tpt).
Well, I’ve bought a lot of music recently…. The very last things I downloaded/bought from iTunes were some tracks by Autechre (electronic music, very much NOT jazz!) and Tank and the Bangas’ ‘Think Tank’ after seeing them on the Tiny Desk… and Mary Lou Williams Quartet ft. Don Byas. Last CDs I bought were ‘Deep Listening’ by Pauline Oliveros, Judee Sill, Joe Harriott ‘Abstract/Southern Horizons’ and from a bit further back, still loving Vijay Iyer’s ‘Mutations’. Like everyone else I use youtube for live/bootleg recordings (recently, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Joanne Brackeen, Sonny Stitt). Then on LP, Prince (Parade in particular) & Jimi Hendrix… And on Qobuz (awesome streaming app, way better than Spotify), listening to organ music by Marcel Dupre (recommended by Ross as mentioned above), Nina Simone and the Piano!, Alice Coltrane (various), Weather Report early albums & Live in Tokyo (‘84)… the list goes on…. but that will do for now!
What is your all time favourite album and why?
This is an impossible question to answer, but if I HAD to name one it would be between Wayne Shorter’s ‘High Life’ and ‘Footprints Live!’ – purely down to the influence those albums had on me in my late teens to early twenties, through to the music I choose to make to this day.
Who has caught your attention recently that we should be listening out for?
Helena Kay (sax), Ashley Henry (pno), Daniel Casimir (bass), Meilana Gillard (sax), Camilla George (sax), Freddie Gavita (tpt).
ANDY SCOTT - Take Five No: 26
Photograph by Nick Caro
Can you tell us about your new album?
Group S is the re-branding of my group SaxAssault that I formed in 1995 after being approached to form and write for a large saxophone plus rhythm section ensemble by Ian Croal, Artistic Director at the famous Manchester venue, Band on the Wall.
Our previous two CDs, Bang! (1996) & Sax of Gold (2007) are more groove-based with some classical influences, however Ruby & All Things Purple is very much an amalgamation of different musical styles and influences, from fully notated and virtuosic tracks such as Eighteen & Tin Can, to tracks that allow some of the great improvising musicians in the group space to go for it! The approach at times is orchestral in that I'm exploring colours and timbres, one track may be piano solo, to a full on nine saxes and four-piece rhythm section. James Pusey is new to Group S as I wanted to add in guitar, which opens up new sound worlds, and the CD was recorded at the studio of my good friends Barbara Thompson & Jon Hiseman. I wrote them a track to be featured on, along with John Helliwell (of Supertramp fame), which closes the CD, La Grande Image.
The players on the CD are brilliant, it's a real pleasure for me to see and hear them bring the music alive from the page; Laurence Cottle (bass), Gwilym Simcock (piano), James Pusey (guitar) & Elliott Henshaw (drums) leave the saxes few excuses not to sound good!! Check out Jim Fieldhouse on bass sax on Salt of the Earth, Rob Buckland on Eighteen, Krzysztof Urbanski on Serenade, Mike Hall on Sabretooth, Simon Willecroft (Duran Duran), Dave Graham and Chris Caldwell, and Rob Cope (who I remember giving a saxophone lesson to when he was 12!).
Group S is what it is, nine saxophones and rhythm section, it isn't trying to imitate for example a big band as some people seem to think.... I don't know why someone would think that? It's simply a true musical reflection stylistically of my musical upbringing, from early on I was involved with classical and jazz saxophone, arranging and writing. Gunther Schuller introduced the term 'third stream', and I wish that we had a term nowadays that encompassed musicians and music that is influenced by a number of styles, where it's a genuine musical development over a number of years.
Group S is a collection of musically open-minded and versatile musicians that have a deep respect and understanding of many musical styles, and I'm delighted that they are all featured on Ruby & All Things Purple, with Gwilym Simcock, Mike Hall and Rob Cope contributing charts to this album alongside my own.
Is it good enough just to be called new music?
Group S is the re-branding of my group SaxAssault that I formed in 1995 after being approached to form and write for a large saxophone plus rhythm section ensemble by Ian Croal, Artistic Director at the famous Manchester venue, Band on the Wall.
Our previous two CDs, Bang! (1996) & Sax of Gold (2007) are more groove-based with some classical influences, however Ruby & All Things Purple is very much an amalgamation of different musical styles and influences, from fully notated and virtuosic tracks such as Eighteen & Tin Can, to tracks that allow some of the great improvising musicians in the group space to go for it! The approach at times is orchestral in that I'm exploring colours and timbres, one track may be piano solo, to a full on nine saxes and four-piece rhythm section. James Pusey is new to Group S as I wanted to add in guitar, which opens up new sound worlds, and the CD was recorded at the studio of my good friends Barbara Thompson & Jon Hiseman. I wrote them a track to be featured on, along with John Helliwell (of Supertramp fame), which closes the CD, La Grande Image.
The players on the CD are brilliant, it's a real pleasure for me to see and hear them bring the music alive from the page; Laurence Cottle (bass), Gwilym Simcock (piano), James Pusey (guitar) & Elliott Henshaw (drums) leave the saxes few excuses not to sound good!! Check out Jim Fieldhouse on bass sax on Salt of the Earth, Rob Buckland on Eighteen, Krzysztof Urbanski on Serenade, Mike Hall on Sabretooth, Simon Willecroft (Duran Duran), Dave Graham and Chris Caldwell, and Rob Cope (who I remember giving a saxophone lesson to when he was 12!).
Group S is what it is, nine saxophones and rhythm section, it isn't trying to imitate for example a big band as some people seem to think.... I don't know why someone would think that? It's simply a true musical reflection stylistically of my musical upbringing, from early on I was involved with classical and jazz saxophone, arranging and writing. Gunther Schuller introduced the term 'third stream', and I wish that we had a term nowadays that encompassed musicians and music that is influenced by a number of styles, where it's a genuine musical development over a number of years.
Group S is a collection of musically open-minded and versatile musicians that have a deep respect and understanding of many musical styles, and I'm delighted that they are all featured on Ruby & All Things Purple, with Gwilym Simcock, Mike Hall and Rob Cope contributing charts to this album alongside my own.
Is it good enough just to be called new music?
Click on the album cover to read our review
What other projects are you involved in?
My living is made up of instigating creative projects and collaborations, writing commissions, practising and performing as a saxophonist, and undertaking specialist saxophone workshops & teaching part-time at the RNCM in Manchester. I'm currently creating a fully notated solo part for my Concerto for Saxophone that was premiered in 2012 by Branford Marsalis and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (conducted by Clark Rundell), for the amazing contemporary classical saxophonist Claude Delangle to premiere in Portugal in July. After that, it's a Guitar Concerto for Craig Ogden and the Northern Chamber Orchestra for premiere in November. I've recently arranged a Dolly Parton tune for Craig & Jacqui Dankworth for a new CD of theirs, it was good fun, and they sound amazing! The Apollo Sax Quartet constantly commissions, premieres and records (over 100 new works since 1985), it's a privilege to play with this group since day one! I turned 50 in June and am treating the next couple of years as an opportunity to listen, practise and learn, not doing any freelance gigs during this time, it's risky in one sense (only financially) but it's what is needed and I'm excited to be learning.
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
Every day is different, this is the beauty of being a musician, and today I've listened to Benjamin Britten, William Walton, George Gershwin, Dexter Gordon, Chet Baker, Vince Mendoza and a student has put me onto Tigran Hamasyan, all fantastic of course!
I like buying CDs and not relying on downloads, the most recent being Road Trip by Dutch saxophonist Rolf Delfos, Positive Change by UK-pianist Dan Whieldon, and My Iris by Trish Clowes, who is both virtuosic and thoughtful as a performer and composer.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
I don't have one! I love music from Vince Mendoza, Maria Schneider, Claus Ogerman, Sergei Prokofiev, Stuff, Moondog, Bela Fleck, Pat Metheny, Charles Mingus, Maurice Ravel, Will Gregory, Gwilym Simcock, Julian Arguelles, Iain Ballamy, Johann Sebastian Bach, Charlie Haden and hundreds more..... I won't bore you with an extensive list!
Who has caught your attention recently who we should be looking out for?
The Artvark Saxophone Quartet are a brilliantly-creative group from Holland, who are inventive improvising musicians with a true sense of ensemble. Also, it was lovely to be able to invite Krzysztof Urbanski to play in Group S, he is someone that I listen to and love his sound, musical phrases, ideas and freshness when improvising. He moved to the UK from Poland a few years ago, but (and I hope he won't mind me saying this?) he still seems to be a bit of a well-kept secret!
My living is made up of instigating creative projects and collaborations, writing commissions, practising and performing as a saxophonist, and undertaking specialist saxophone workshops & teaching part-time at the RNCM in Manchester. I'm currently creating a fully notated solo part for my Concerto for Saxophone that was premiered in 2012 by Branford Marsalis and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (conducted by Clark Rundell), for the amazing contemporary classical saxophonist Claude Delangle to premiere in Portugal in July. After that, it's a Guitar Concerto for Craig Ogden and the Northern Chamber Orchestra for premiere in November. I've recently arranged a Dolly Parton tune for Craig & Jacqui Dankworth for a new CD of theirs, it was good fun, and they sound amazing! The Apollo Sax Quartet constantly commissions, premieres and records (over 100 new works since 1985), it's a privilege to play with this group since day one! I turned 50 in June and am treating the next couple of years as an opportunity to listen, practise and learn, not doing any freelance gigs during this time, it's risky in one sense (only financially) but it's what is needed and I'm excited to be learning.
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
Every day is different, this is the beauty of being a musician, and today I've listened to Benjamin Britten, William Walton, George Gershwin, Dexter Gordon, Chet Baker, Vince Mendoza and a student has put me onto Tigran Hamasyan, all fantastic of course!
I like buying CDs and not relying on downloads, the most recent being Road Trip by Dutch saxophonist Rolf Delfos, Positive Change by UK-pianist Dan Whieldon, and My Iris by Trish Clowes, who is both virtuosic and thoughtful as a performer and composer.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
I don't have one! I love music from Vince Mendoza, Maria Schneider, Claus Ogerman, Sergei Prokofiev, Stuff, Moondog, Bela Fleck, Pat Metheny, Charles Mingus, Maurice Ravel, Will Gregory, Gwilym Simcock, Julian Arguelles, Iain Ballamy, Johann Sebastian Bach, Charlie Haden and hundreds more..... I won't bore you with an extensive list!
Who has caught your attention recently who we should be looking out for?
The Artvark Saxophone Quartet are a brilliantly-creative group from Holland, who are inventive improvising musicians with a true sense of ensemble. Also, it was lovely to be able to invite Krzysztof Urbanski to play in Group S, he is someone that I listen to and love his sound, musical phrases, ideas and freshness when improvising. He moved to the UK from Poland a few years ago, but (and I hope he won't mind me saying this?) he still seems to be a bit of a well-kept secret!
BILLIE DAVIES - Take Five No: 25
Can you tell us about your new album?
Since recording, releasing and performing "Hand In Hand In The Hand Of The Moon" as an ode to the work of my dearest friend, Belgian artist Serge Vandercam (1924 – 2005), and performing with Billie & The Bad Boyzzzz and the Billie Davies Trio in 2015- 2016 it slowly became time for my new album project “On Hollywood Boulevard”, for which I wrote the melodies and lyrics, to become a reality. “On Hollywood Boulevard” was born while I lived at 6533 Hollywood Blvd. at The Historic Hillview Hollywood in Hollywood, Los Angeles. I lived there for several years and my many experiences in and impressions of Hollywood Boulevard needed recording. It took from 2012 in Hollywood, the initial conception, to September of 2016 in New Orleans to result in a recorded album of 5 songs that I wrote melodies and lyrics for, 1 instrumental improvisation and 1 improvisation with improvised lyrics by IRIS P. My husband/producer Mike Davies and I chose Evan Oberla, with whom I have recorded and performed since February of 2015, on keys/synth and trombone and Oliver Watkinson, who became my bass player in the summer of 2015, on electric bass. I met Iris P through an introduction by Evan, during one of their performances at The Dragon’s Den, in New Orleans, and was rejoiced to find the perfect vocalist, the perfect chemistry, to record and perform the “On Hollywood Boulevard” lyrics and experience. This new album is very different from my previous ones in a way, all instruments are electric/electronic which gives everything a different energy, what I call my Nu Experience. Stylistically many people see it somewhere between Jazz, Fusion and World. You decide what you hear … :)
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I am busy with new material, revisiting the music & lyrics of Marvin Gaye, who holds a very special place in my heart, and there its the further development of the performances by BILLIE DAVIES - A Nu Experience - Featuring IRIS P, that might cause an almost unavoidable union that will bring the songs and material of IRIS P with a Billie Davies perspective and that might have the same musicians as on “On Hollywood Boulevard”.
Since recording, releasing and performing "Hand In Hand In The Hand Of The Moon" as an ode to the work of my dearest friend, Belgian artist Serge Vandercam (1924 – 2005), and performing with Billie & The Bad Boyzzzz and the Billie Davies Trio in 2015- 2016 it slowly became time for my new album project “On Hollywood Boulevard”, for which I wrote the melodies and lyrics, to become a reality. “On Hollywood Boulevard” was born while I lived at 6533 Hollywood Blvd. at The Historic Hillview Hollywood in Hollywood, Los Angeles. I lived there for several years and my many experiences in and impressions of Hollywood Boulevard needed recording. It took from 2012 in Hollywood, the initial conception, to September of 2016 in New Orleans to result in a recorded album of 5 songs that I wrote melodies and lyrics for, 1 instrumental improvisation and 1 improvisation with improvised lyrics by IRIS P. My husband/producer Mike Davies and I chose Evan Oberla, with whom I have recorded and performed since February of 2015, on keys/synth and trombone and Oliver Watkinson, who became my bass player in the summer of 2015, on electric bass. I met Iris P through an introduction by Evan, during one of their performances at The Dragon’s Den, in New Orleans, and was rejoiced to find the perfect vocalist, the perfect chemistry, to record and perform the “On Hollywood Boulevard” lyrics and experience. This new album is very different from my previous ones in a way, all instruments are electric/electronic which gives everything a different energy, what I call my Nu Experience. Stylistically many people see it somewhere between Jazz, Fusion and World. You decide what you hear … :)
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I am busy with new material, revisiting the music & lyrics of Marvin Gaye, who holds a very special place in my heart, and there its the further development of the performances by BILLIE DAVIES - A Nu Experience - Featuring IRIS P, that might cause an almost unavoidable union that will bring the songs and material of IRIS P with a Billie Davies perspective and that might have the same musicians as on “On Hollywood Boulevard”.
Click on the album cover to read our review.
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
Currently I am listening to "On Hollywood Boulevard” by Billie Davies :) as I keep discovering the new and keep hearing the different. I am also listening quite a bit to IRIS P and my latest CD download was “Love & Hip Hop" by IRIS P. I also lately have listened a lot to “TuTu”, “Doo-Bop”, “Aura” by Miles Davis, "Dis is Da Drum” by Herbie Hancock, and just recently I have been listening to an Anthology released by DE W.E.R.F in Bruges, Belgium, of excellent recordings done at DE WERF records by Belgian jazz artists between 1993 and 2016.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
I could say ‘A Love Supreme’ by John Coltrane or 'The Koln Concert' by Keith Jarrett, but then there is Miles who’s music and personality really always have been a big influence on me, especially since the seventies. And I would have to mention Ornette Coleman’s “The Shape of Jazz to Come”, and I cannot forget about Cecil Taylor, Charles Mingus, Archie Shepp and Dollar Brand or Terje Rypdahl, and I cannot forget about Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Etta James and Sarah Vaughn. And how can I not mention Carla Bley or Geri Allen? And even though most of the music I listen to is some form of Jazz, I have always loved Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson and Tupac and I also very much love Ravel, Chopin, Mozart and Messiaen. :)
Who has caught you attention recently that we should be listening out for?
IRIS P
Currently I am listening to "On Hollywood Boulevard” by Billie Davies :) as I keep discovering the new and keep hearing the different. I am also listening quite a bit to IRIS P and my latest CD download was “Love & Hip Hop" by IRIS P. I also lately have listened a lot to “TuTu”, “Doo-Bop”, “Aura” by Miles Davis, "Dis is Da Drum” by Herbie Hancock, and just recently I have been listening to an Anthology released by DE W.E.R.F in Bruges, Belgium, of excellent recordings done at DE WERF records by Belgian jazz artists between 1993 and 2016.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
I could say ‘A Love Supreme’ by John Coltrane or 'The Koln Concert' by Keith Jarrett, but then there is Miles who’s music and personality really always have been a big influence on me, especially since the seventies. And I would have to mention Ornette Coleman’s “The Shape of Jazz to Come”, and I cannot forget about Cecil Taylor, Charles Mingus, Archie Shepp and Dollar Brand or Terje Rypdahl, and I cannot forget about Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Etta James and Sarah Vaughn. And how can I not mention Carla Bley or Geri Allen? And even though most of the music I listen to is some form of Jazz, I have always loved Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson and Tupac and I also very much love Ravel, Chopin, Mozart and Messiaen. :)
Who has caught you attention recently that we should be listening out for?
IRIS P
CAMILLA GEORGE - Take Five No: 24
Can you tell us about your new album?
My album is called 'Isang'. It is an old Efik word which means journey and symbolises my musical voyage. It is significant as Efik is the language of coastal South Eastern Nigerians which is where I was born.
It is a fusion of African, Caribbean and modern jazz influences and features an all star band of some of the most in demand young British jazzers- Sarah Tandy on piano(Sarah Tandy trio/Jazz Jamaica/Gilad Atzmon), Daniel Casimir on bass (Jean Toussaint/Clark Tracey) and Femi Koleoso on drums (Ezra Collective, Jean Toussaint, Pharoahe Monch).
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I play in Jazz Jamaica- we have toured throughout the world and will be playing in Italy in April. I also play in Courtney Pine's Venus Warriors as well as with Cameron Pierre's Quartet. I also recently recorded Yazz Ahmed's Polyhymnia.
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
I spent my whole summer listening to Snarky Puppy's album, 'Culcha Vulcha' and was lucky enough to see them perform live in Marseille. I have also been loving Christian Scott's Stretch Music album. The last album I bought was Yussef Kamal's 'Black Focus'.
My album is called 'Isang'. It is an old Efik word which means journey and symbolises my musical voyage. It is significant as Efik is the language of coastal South Eastern Nigerians which is where I was born.
It is a fusion of African, Caribbean and modern jazz influences and features an all star band of some of the most in demand young British jazzers- Sarah Tandy on piano(Sarah Tandy trio/Jazz Jamaica/Gilad Atzmon), Daniel Casimir on bass (Jean Toussaint/Clark Tracey) and Femi Koleoso on drums (Ezra Collective, Jean Toussaint, Pharoahe Monch).
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I play in Jazz Jamaica- we have toured throughout the world and will be playing in Italy in April. I also play in Courtney Pine's Venus Warriors as well as with Cameron Pierre's Quartet. I also recently recorded Yazz Ahmed's Polyhymnia.
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
I spent my whole summer listening to Snarky Puppy's album, 'Culcha Vulcha' and was lucky enough to see them perform live in Marseille. I have also been loving Christian Scott's Stretch Music album. The last album I bought was Yussef Kamal's 'Black Focus'.
Click on the album cover to read our reiew.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
That's a hard one as there are so many albums that I absolutely love! I would have to say Sing a Song by Kenny Garrett and Sonny Side up by Sonny Stitt and Sonny Rollins.
Who has caught you attention recently that we should be listening out for?
There are so many exciting bands at the moment- I'm loving Ashley Henry's trio they're killing! I love Ezra Collective and Nerija and Sons of Kemet. The scene is very healthy at the moment- so many amazing young players are bringing fire!
Isang by the Camilla George Quartet is launched at the Pizza Express on the 11th January 2017.
For more information about Camilla visit camillageorge.com
That's a hard one as there are so many albums that I absolutely love! I would have to say Sing a Song by Kenny Garrett and Sonny Side up by Sonny Stitt and Sonny Rollins.
Who has caught you attention recently that we should be listening out for?
There are so many exciting bands at the moment- I'm loving Ashley Henry's trio they're killing! I love Ezra Collective and Nerija and Sons of Kemet. The scene is very healthy at the moment- so many amazing young players are bringing fire!
Isang by the Camilla George Quartet is launched at the Pizza Express on the 11th January 2017.
For more information about Camilla visit camillageorge.com
JIM RATTIGAN - Take Five No: 23
PAVILLON on Tour - Click the image for full tour dates
Can you tell us about your new album and tour?
The new album is called Strong Tea and is for my twelve piece ensemble 'Pavillon'. The name comes 'Pavillon' comes from the french word meaning the bell of a brass instrument.It is written for three saxophones,three trumpets, tenor trombone, bass trombone, piano, double bass and drums.I composed and arranged the music and play french horn on the album.It has a personal element to it as it was written as a birthday present to myself. (It was one of those BIG birthdays!) Parkwood fair is about my son's school fair which was held every year. Dulwich Park is somewhere I cycle through most days, Strong Tea is something I enjoy and probably drink too much of, Won over the eight is about leaving a party in time for breakfast and 24/7 is the actual birthday! I gathered musicians from the different periods of my musical life from college through to the present day and had them in mind as I was writing the music. It was recorded in a day at Fishmarket studios and is all basically a single take of each number. Very spontaneous and fresh, with plenty of improvising.I released it myself on PAVILLON records. We will be playing music from the album plus some new compositions I've written specifically for the tour which starts on 12th November at the Vortex jazz club as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.The tour will take us to Leeds, Sheffield, Mold, Swansea, Bristol,Birmingham,Stoke by Nayland near Chelmsford, back to London (Cafe Posk) and Oxford.The tour is funded by the Arts Council.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I have a trio album out called 'Triplicity' for french horn , violin (played by Thomas Gould) and piano (played by Liam Noble). This is an ongoing project that started last year when we performed at the London Jazz Festival and has continued on and off since then.I have also written music for string quartet, french horn, piano, bass and drums, which I aim to perform, and record next year.
The new album is called Strong Tea and is for my twelve piece ensemble 'Pavillon'. The name comes 'Pavillon' comes from the french word meaning the bell of a brass instrument.It is written for three saxophones,three trumpets, tenor trombone, bass trombone, piano, double bass and drums.I composed and arranged the music and play french horn on the album.It has a personal element to it as it was written as a birthday present to myself. (It was one of those BIG birthdays!) Parkwood fair is about my son's school fair which was held every year. Dulwich Park is somewhere I cycle through most days, Strong Tea is something I enjoy and probably drink too much of, Won over the eight is about leaving a party in time for breakfast and 24/7 is the actual birthday! I gathered musicians from the different periods of my musical life from college through to the present day and had them in mind as I was writing the music. It was recorded in a day at Fishmarket studios and is all basically a single take of each number. Very spontaneous and fresh, with plenty of improvising.I released it myself on PAVILLON records. We will be playing music from the album plus some new compositions I've written specifically for the tour which starts on 12th November at the Vortex jazz club as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.The tour will take us to Leeds, Sheffield, Mold, Swansea, Bristol,Birmingham,Stoke by Nayland near Chelmsford, back to London (Cafe Posk) and Oxford.The tour is funded by the Arts Council.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I have a trio album out called 'Triplicity' for french horn , violin (played by Thomas Gould) and piano (played by Liam Noble). This is an ongoing project that started last year when we performed at the London Jazz Festival and has continued on and off since then.I have also written music for string quartet, french horn, piano, bass and drums, which I aim to perform, and record next year.
Click on the album cover to read our review
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
I'm listening to Ivo Neame's new album Strata. I heard them at Jazz Cafe Posk ( great gig ) had a quick chat with Ivo afterwards and bought the album which came with a free cup cake! His wife had made a batch and brought them along - you don't get that with streaming! I have a box set of Olivier Messiaen that I'm listening to. I'm into C.D. number 16 at the moment Des Canyons aux etoiles.Powerful stuff! I'm also re-visiting Miles Davis Some Day My Prince Will Come. His Solo on the title track is so passionate - it still blows me away even after listening to it many many times. The last C.D. I bought was Streams by Jakob Bro with Thomas Morgan on bass and Joey Baron on drums. This is minimalism with a minute m! I had the pleasure of playing with Jakob on Hans Koller's recording Retrospection.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
Ha! Impossible!! If I have to pick one, and only one, I would say Oscar Peterson's Night Train. Simply because it was the first jazz album I heard. Someone played me it when I was very young and I was completely hooked. I wore my copy out listening to it over and over trying to transcribe his solos (on piano!). I became a massive fan - still am! There's so many great albums - the list of my favorites would be huge.
Who has caught your attention recently that we should be listening out for?
I went to hear Phil Donkin performed music from his album The Gate. Get to hear this band live - and the album - it's very impressive.Also really enjoyed hearing the Phelan Burgoyne trio at the Oxford in Kentish town.
I'm listening to Ivo Neame's new album Strata. I heard them at Jazz Cafe Posk ( great gig ) had a quick chat with Ivo afterwards and bought the album which came with a free cup cake! His wife had made a batch and brought them along - you don't get that with streaming! I have a box set of Olivier Messiaen that I'm listening to. I'm into C.D. number 16 at the moment Des Canyons aux etoiles.Powerful stuff! I'm also re-visiting Miles Davis Some Day My Prince Will Come. His Solo on the title track is so passionate - it still blows me away even after listening to it many many times. The last C.D. I bought was Streams by Jakob Bro with Thomas Morgan on bass and Joey Baron on drums. This is minimalism with a minute m! I had the pleasure of playing with Jakob on Hans Koller's recording Retrospection.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
Ha! Impossible!! If I have to pick one, and only one, I would say Oscar Peterson's Night Train. Simply because it was the first jazz album I heard. Someone played me it when I was very young and I was completely hooked. I wore my copy out listening to it over and over trying to transcribe his solos (on piano!). I became a massive fan - still am! There's so many great albums - the list of my favorites would be huge.
Who has caught your attention recently that we should be listening out for?
I went to hear Phil Donkin performed music from his album The Gate. Get to hear this band live - and the album - it's very impressive.Also really enjoyed hearing the Phelan Burgoyne trio at the Oxford in Kentish town.
HENRIK JENSEN - Take Five No: 22
Can you tell us about your new album?
My new album 'Blackwater was recorded in the autumn last year at the Porcupine studios by Nick Taylor. Nick is a great guy to work with, he creates a very relaxed atmosphere in the studio and I love how he captures and records the sound of the quartet. He also makes the best coffee you could ever dream of, seriously !!
'Blackwater is my second release on Jellymould Jazz with 'Followed by Thirteen' and the label has been a great support from the very beginning, believing in my music.
Writing the music for this album was actually a fairly quick and a very enjoyable process. What I think differs from my approach on this album to my first release 'Qualia' is that I've used the piano as my main inspiration on 'Blackwater' and the bass was definitely my main source of inspiration on 'Qualia'. Knowing the sound of the musicians in my quartet is a great inspiration when I compose, and very exciting in the sense of that I can't wait to hear how for example Antonio will play that groove, how Andre will play the melody and Esben's choice of harmony. These guys certainly bring their own style and approach into my compositions which I absolutely love. We have just finished our UK tour and playing the music night after night has really made us into a powerful unit, and also inspired me for a 3rd album for 'Followed by Thirteen' but for now there's still a lot to be explored within the 'Blackwater' album.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I'm very excited for the release of the NS3 trio next year in March on Babel Records. The Trio was founded in 2014 by drummer Antonio Fusco and has the incredible Bruno Heinen on piano.We will be touring in Italy in May and the U.K in June 2017.
I'll also be touring with Berlin born saxophonist Peter Ehwald in 2017, we recorded a duo album in 2012, and trio album back in 2008 on 33 Records. This tour will be as a duo, playing our re-works of old German/Danish/English folk tunes.
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
An album I've been listening to a lot lately is by pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba called 'Charlie' It's a dedication to his friend and colleague the amazing bassist Charlie Haden, and it's absolutely beautiful. Matt Brewer on bass on this plays his heart out, it's gorgeous and I can't stop listening to it.
My new album 'Blackwater was recorded in the autumn last year at the Porcupine studios by Nick Taylor. Nick is a great guy to work with, he creates a very relaxed atmosphere in the studio and I love how he captures and records the sound of the quartet. He also makes the best coffee you could ever dream of, seriously !!
'Blackwater is my second release on Jellymould Jazz with 'Followed by Thirteen' and the label has been a great support from the very beginning, believing in my music.
Writing the music for this album was actually a fairly quick and a very enjoyable process. What I think differs from my approach on this album to my first release 'Qualia' is that I've used the piano as my main inspiration on 'Blackwater' and the bass was definitely my main source of inspiration on 'Qualia'. Knowing the sound of the musicians in my quartet is a great inspiration when I compose, and very exciting in the sense of that I can't wait to hear how for example Antonio will play that groove, how Andre will play the melody and Esben's choice of harmony. These guys certainly bring their own style and approach into my compositions which I absolutely love. We have just finished our UK tour and playing the music night after night has really made us into a powerful unit, and also inspired me for a 3rd album for 'Followed by Thirteen' but for now there's still a lot to be explored within the 'Blackwater' album.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I'm very excited for the release of the NS3 trio next year in March on Babel Records. The Trio was founded in 2014 by drummer Antonio Fusco and has the incredible Bruno Heinen on piano.We will be touring in Italy in May and the U.K in June 2017.
I'll also be touring with Berlin born saxophonist Peter Ehwald in 2017, we recorded a duo album in 2012, and trio album back in 2008 on 33 Records. This tour will be as a duo, playing our re-works of old German/Danish/English folk tunes.
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
An album I've been listening to a lot lately is by pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba called 'Charlie' It's a dedication to his friend and colleague the amazing bassist Charlie Haden, and it's absolutely beautiful. Matt Brewer on bass on this plays his heart out, it's gorgeous and I can't stop listening to it.
Click on the album cover to read our review
What is your all time favourite album and why?
Ahhh that's difficult, actually impossible for me ;-) but here's a few albums that made a big impression on me as a player, and as a composer.
Mingus - Ah Um
Miles Davis - The Complete Concert 1964
Bill Evans - Sunday at the Village Vangaurd
Sonny Rollins - A night at the Village Vangaurd/ Way out West
Stan Getz and Oscar Peterson Trio
Chick Corea - Now he sings, now he sobs
Dave Holland - Extensions
Joe Lovano - Trio Fascination/Joyous Encounter
Niels Henning Ørsted Pedersen Trio - To a Brother
Keith Jarrett - Still Live
Tony Malaby - Adobe
Charlie Haden & Keith Jarrett - Jasmine
Ethan Iverson - Live at Smalls
Paul Motion Trio 2000 + 1 - On Broadway
Drew Gress - Irrational Numbers
Omg I could carry on....
Who has caught you attention recently that we should be listening out for?
On our tour we spent hours in car listening to music, and I thought the new album 'Impossible Things' from drummer Corrie Dick sounded amazing. Andre Canniere's new album is also about to hit the road and sounding so good. Next year listen out for Esben Tjalve's new album, I've heard a few snippets, and it's a joy to listen to.
Ahhh that's difficult, actually impossible for me ;-) but here's a few albums that made a big impression on me as a player, and as a composer.
Mingus - Ah Um
Miles Davis - The Complete Concert 1964
Bill Evans - Sunday at the Village Vangaurd
Sonny Rollins - A night at the Village Vangaurd/ Way out West
Stan Getz and Oscar Peterson Trio
Chick Corea - Now he sings, now he sobs
Dave Holland - Extensions
Joe Lovano - Trio Fascination/Joyous Encounter
Niels Henning Ørsted Pedersen Trio - To a Brother
Keith Jarrett - Still Live
Tony Malaby - Adobe
Charlie Haden & Keith Jarrett - Jasmine
Ethan Iverson - Live at Smalls
Paul Motion Trio 2000 + 1 - On Broadway
Drew Gress - Irrational Numbers
Omg I could carry on....
Who has caught you attention recently that we should be listening out for?
On our tour we spent hours in car listening to music, and I thought the new album 'Impossible Things' from drummer Corrie Dick sounded amazing. Andre Canniere's new album is also about to hit the road and sounding so good. Next year listen out for Esben Tjalve's new album, I've heard a few snippets, and it's a joy to listen to.
SEAN FORAN - Take Five No: 21
Can you tell us about your new album?
It’s called “Frame of Reference” and is my first album as a leader. I’ve released a bunch of albums with my trio Trichotomy and some other projects, but this is a completely new band and suite of music.
I’m based in Brisbane, Australia and the conception of the album revolved around me wanting to record with a group of British musicians whom a quite admire and though would complement each other in a really interesting way. So I set to writing all the material and booked to record it in a studio just outside London last year. I’d worked with various members of the band in a variety of capacities before - I spent some time living in the UK while studying my MA at the Leeds College of Music, but the recording session was the first time the group came together. Recording it was quite an intense process - we only had 2 days to track the entire album, and the band had not played the music together before. Because of this I think the recording sounds really vibrant.. the interaction and group dynamic is real and unrehearsed as it’s only the first few times we’ve played through the music together!
The album features myself on Piano/Rhodes, Julian Arguelles - saxophones, Stuart McCallum - guitar, Ben Davis - cello and Joost Hendrickx - drums. The music is quite textural, cinematic and often moves between densely notated parts and freely improvised moments. It certainly inspired by people like Pat Metheny and Tord Gustavsen but also classical composers such as Phillip Glass and Steve Reich.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I’m working on post production of the next album from my trio TRICHOTOMY. It’s been a few years since our last release, so we’ve been back in the studio this year. This trio is quite a busy group, we’ve been ensemble in residence at the Conservatorium here in Brisbane this year, plus had a few collaborative projects over the last little while. Our new album will come out early 2017 and we’ll touring in the UK, Europe and Australia with it.
Alongside this, the trio Berardi/Foran/Karlen is working on some new music for a recording in Japan early next year and a bunch of Australian shows.
I’m also completing my Doctorate which is centred around my own practice, and the use of live electronics within composed and improvised music in jazz trios, so I’m doing a bunch of reading and writing around that. Keeping busy indeed!
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
Well I’ve been pretty heavily listening to "The Phosphorescent Blues", a wonderful new album from the American Bluegrass group The Punch Brothers. They were out in Australia touring, so after that show the album has been on pretty heavy rotation! I’m also quite loving Gregory Porter’s new album “Take me to the Alley” and “Dysnomia” by Dawn of Midi which was out last year.
It’s called “Frame of Reference” and is my first album as a leader. I’ve released a bunch of albums with my trio Trichotomy and some other projects, but this is a completely new band and suite of music.
I’m based in Brisbane, Australia and the conception of the album revolved around me wanting to record with a group of British musicians whom a quite admire and though would complement each other in a really interesting way. So I set to writing all the material and booked to record it in a studio just outside London last year. I’d worked with various members of the band in a variety of capacities before - I spent some time living in the UK while studying my MA at the Leeds College of Music, but the recording session was the first time the group came together. Recording it was quite an intense process - we only had 2 days to track the entire album, and the band had not played the music together before. Because of this I think the recording sounds really vibrant.. the interaction and group dynamic is real and unrehearsed as it’s only the first few times we’ve played through the music together!
The album features myself on Piano/Rhodes, Julian Arguelles - saxophones, Stuart McCallum - guitar, Ben Davis - cello and Joost Hendrickx - drums. The music is quite textural, cinematic and often moves between densely notated parts and freely improvised moments. It certainly inspired by people like Pat Metheny and Tord Gustavsen but also classical composers such as Phillip Glass and Steve Reich.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I’m working on post production of the next album from my trio TRICHOTOMY. It’s been a few years since our last release, so we’ve been back in the studio this year. This trio is quite a busy group, we’ve been ensemble in residence at the Conservatorium here in Brisbane this year, plus had a few collaborative projects over the last little while. Our new album will come out early 2017 and we’ll touring in the UK, Europe and Australia with it.
Alongside this, the trio Berardi/Foran/Karlen is working on some new music for a recording in Japan early next year and a bunch of Australian shows.
I’m also completing my Doctorate which is centred around my own practice, and the use of live electronics within composed and improvised music in jazz trios, so I’m doing a bunch of reading and writing around that. Keeping busy indeed!
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
Well I’ve been pretty heavily listening to "The Phosphorescent Blues", a wonderful new album from the American Bluegrass group The Punch Brothers. They were out in Australia touring, so after that show the album has been on pretty heavy rotation! I’m also quite loving Gregory Porter’s new album “Take me to the Alley” and “Dysnomia” by Dawn of Midi which was out last year.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
Surely there is no way I can answer this.. but I’ll try to give a short list…
Keith Jarrett - The Koln Concert
Pat Metheny - Bright Size Life
Steve Reich - Music for 18 Musicians
E.S.T - Strange place for Snow
Kurt Elling - Live in Chicago
Bill Evans - Waltz for Debby
Errol Garner - Concert by the Sea
John Taylor - Rosslyn
The Necks - Unheard
Vince Jones - Trustworthy Little Sweethearts
Tord Gustavsen - Changing Places
The Punch Brothers - Who’s Feeling Young Now?
Surely there is no way I can answer this.. but I’ll try to give a short list…
Keith Jarrett - The Koln Concert
Pat Metheny - Bright Size Life
Steve Reich - Music for 18 Musicians
E.S.T - Strange place for Snow
Kurt Elling - Live in Chicago
Bill Evans - Waltz for Debby
Errol Garner - Concert by the Sea
John Taylor - Rosslyn
The Necks - Unheard
Vince Jones - Trustworthy Little Sweethearts
Tord Gustavsen - Changing Places
The Punch Brothers - Who’s Feeling Young Now?
Click on the album cover to read our review
Who has caught you attention recently that we should be listening out for?
Again.. this is tricky… I suppose if you haven’t checked out Dawn of Midi - you should!! But then again, they were opening for Radiohead earlier in the year, so I suppose people have heard of them by now!
The Australian band Haitus Kaiyote are amazing.. killer grooves, great ensemble playing and this amazing sense of time that seems to ebb and flow. Oh and the new album from Stuart McCallum and Mike Walker out on Edition - beautiful stuff!
Sean Foran tours throughout the UK from October 3rd – October 11th (For more information visit Sean's website at www.seanforanmusic.info)
The Band: Sean Foran (piano), Stuart McCallum (guitar), Sam Lasserson (bass), James Mainwaring (sax) and Joost Hendrickx (drums).
3rd October Pizza Express Soho London pizzaexpresslive.com | 0845 6027 017
4th October Watermill Jazz Dorking watermilljazz.co.uk | 07415 815784
5th October Lakeside Nottingham
lakesidearts.org.uk | 0115 846 7777
6th October Future Inns Bristol
jazzatfutureinn.co.uk | 0845 0945588
7th October Turner Sims Southampton
turnersims.co.uk | 023 8059 5151
9th October Newcastle Jazz North East presents “Splinter”
(Foran/McCallum duo only) - jazzsteps.co.uk | 0115 8770284
11th October Capstone Theatre Liverpool
thecapstonetheatre.com | 0844 8000 410
Again.. this is tricky… I suppose if you haven’t checked out Dawn of Midi - you should!! But then again, they were opening for Radiohead earlier in the year, so I suppose people have heard of them by now!
The Australian band Haitus Kaiyote are amazing.. killer grooves, great ensemble playing and this amazing sense of time that seems to ebb and flow. Oh and the new album from Stuart McCallum and Mike Walker out on Edition - beautiful stuff!
Sean Foran tours throughout the UK from October 3rd – October 11th (For more information visit Sean's website at www.seanforanmusic.info)
The Band: Sean Foran (piano), Stuart McCallum (guitar), Sam Lasserson (bass), James Mainwaring (sax) and Joost Hendrickx (drums).
3rd October Pizza Express Soho London pizzaexpresslive.com | 0845 6027 017
4th October Watermill Jazz Dorking watermilljazz.co.uk | 07415 815784
5th October Lakeside Nottingham
lakesidearts.org.uk | 0115 846 7777
6th October Future Inns Bristol
jazzatfutureinn.co.uk | 0845 0945588
7th October Turner Sims Southampton
turnersims.co.uk | 023 8059 5151
9th October Newcastle Jazz North East presents “Splinter”
(Foran/McCallum duo only) - jazzsteps.co.uk | 0115 8770284
11th October Capstone Theatre Liverpool
thecapstonetheatre.com | 0844 8000 410
PHILIP CLEMO - Take Five No: 20
Can you tell us about your new album?
Dream Maps is my 6th album. It is a series of journeys or maps where each piece explores a different space. The shape of these spaces was developed through a process of composition and extended improvisation over a period of three years with contributions from 21 musicians including Arve Henriksen (trumpet, voice), Byron Wallen (trumpet, flugelhorn), Oren Marshall (tuba), Emily Burridge & Peter Gregson (cellos), Thomas Bloch (ondes Martenot, glass harmonica) and Evi Vine (voice). I was generally two or three musicians ahead in my planning, not having a fully formed picture until near the end. I am not very interested in ‘comfort zones’ or the rules of established genres. The improvisors who recorded ‘blind’ (without briefing or prior listening) on Dream Maps will testify to that. I like to discover the creative responses that come from not knowing where we are. Dropping a master musician into unknown territory and recording the process of them finding their way around is very powerful for me.
I explored a number of ideas during the process of making Dream Maps including the 'shadow seas’ that develop through the use of language, the power of human magnetic attraction, the constant desire for distraction and my Orcadian grandfather fighting in the trenches of Ypres, followed by liberation in 1918.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
Right now I am re-configuring my music, particularly Dream Maps, for live performance. That is a major task given the way my pieces generally develop over several years through many studio sessions.
I am also a visual artist and film-maker and I’m working on a large-scale project which will manifest as a feature film and art installation. The Breath Project, already featured at the V&A Museum, London and Eden Project, Cornwall, is non-verbal and explores perception and how we experience the world around us. The imagery ranges from chemical reactions shot in petri dishes and extreme close up motion control camera ‘flights’ over the human body to the aurora borealis shot in the Arctic Circle and abstract aerial landscapes shot from a helicopter over Iceland. More information about this project can be found at www.breathproject.net . Imagery from the project will be shown at my Dream Maps launch.
My visual and musical projects very much feed each other and in 2017 I’ll start work on my new album.
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
I listen to a wide range of stuff - Johann Johannsson, Arve Henriksen, Sidsel Endresen, Nils Petter Molvaer, Funkadelic, Fovea Hex, Radiohead, soukous, Stax, Arvo Part, Tom Waits, gamelan, Henryk Gorecki, Miles Davis, Anouar Brahem, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder (70s), Radiohead, Sufjan Stevens, Nick Cave, Prince, John Hassell, Brian Eno, David Sylvian etc.
Dream Maps is my 6th album. It is a series of journeys or maps where each piece explores a different space. The shape of these spaces was developed through a process of composition and extended improvisation over a period of three years with contributions from 21 musicians including Arve Henriksen (trumpet, voice), Byron Wallen (trumpet, flugelhorn), Oren Marshall (tuba), Emily Burridge & Peter Gregson (cellos), Thomas Bloch (ondes Martenot, glass harmonica) and Evi Vine (voice). I was generally two or three musicians ahead in my planning, not having a fully formed picture until near the end. I am not very interested in ‘comfort zones’ or the rules of established genres. The improvisors who recorded ‘blind’ (without briefing or prior listening) on Dream Maps will testify to that. I like to discover the creative responses that come from not knowing where we are. Dropping a master musician into unknown territory and recording the process of them finding their way around is very powerful for me.
I explored a number of ideas during the process of making Dream Maps including the 'shadow seas’ that develop through the use of language, the power of human magnetic attraction, the constant desire for distraction and my Orcadian grandfather fighting in the trenches of Ypres, followed by liberation in 1918.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
Right now I am re-configuring my music, particularly Dream Maps, for live performance. That is a major task given the way my pieces generally develop over several years through many studio sessions.
I am also a visual artist and film-maker and I’m working on a large-scale project which will manifest as a feature film and art installation. The Breath Project, already featured at the V&A Museum, London and Eden Project, Cornwall, is non-verbal and explores perception and how we experience the world around us. The imagery ranges from chemical reactions shot in petri dishes and extreme close up motion control camera ‘flights’ over the human body to the aurora borealis shot in the Arctic Circle and abstract aerial landscapes shot from a helicopter over Iceland. More information about this project can be found at www.breathproject.net . Imagery from the project will be shown at my Dream Maps launch.
My visual and musical projects very much feed each other and in 2017 I’ll start work on my new album.
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
I listen to a wide range of stuff - Johann Johannsson, Arve Henriksen, Sidsel Endresen, Nils Petter Molvaer, Funkadelic, Fovea Hex, Radiohead, soukous, Stax, Arvo Part, Tom Waits, gamelan, Henryk Gorecki, Miles Davis, Anouar Brahem, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder (70s), Radiohead, Sufjan Stevens, Nick Cave, Prince, John Hassell, Brian Eno, David Sylvian etc.
Click on the album cover to read our review
What is your all time favourite album and why?
Picking one is almost impossible. Here is a list of albums (in no particular order) that mean a lot to me, with a word of explanation after them.
Arvo Part - 'Tabula Rasa' - spirit
Miles Davis - 'In A Silent Way' and several others from his first electric period (1969-75) - innovation
Talk Talk - 'Spirit of Eden/Laughing Stock' - texture (I have worked with the sound engineer who created these masterpieces on my last 3 albums)
Keith Jarrett - several of his solo piano recordings - flow
Johann Johannsson - 'IBM 1401, A User’s Manual' - interaction
Radiohead - 'In Rainbows' - colour
Anouar Brahem - 'Le Pas Du Chat Noir' - space
Nick Drake - 'Pink Moon' - bare
Joni Mitchell - ‘Hejira' - sublime
something by Arve Henriksen - breath
Van Morrison - 'Astral Weeks' - journey
something by The Bothy Band - my celtic roots
Steve Reich - something from his early or middle period – repetition
John Martyn's 'One World' - another great album engineered by Phil Brown
Who has caught you attention recently that we should be listening out for?
Nothing very new springs to mind - will have to give this one further thought...
Picking one is almost impossible. Here is a list of albums (in no particular order) that mean a lot to me, with a word of explanation after them.
Arvo Part - 'Tabula Rasa' - spirit
Miles Davis - 'In A Silent Way' and several others from his first electric period (1969-75) - innovation
Talk Talk - 'Spirit of Eden/Laughing Stock' - texture (I have worked with the sound engineer who created these masterpieces on my last 3 albums)
Keith Jarrett - several of his solo piano recordings - flow
Johann Johannsson - 'IBM 1401, A User’s Manual' - interaction
Radiohead - 'In Rainbows' - colour
Anouar Brahem - 'Le Pas Du Chat Noir' - space
Nick Drake - 'Pink Moon' - bare
Joni Mitchell - ‘Hejira' - sublime
something by Arve Henriksen - breath
Van Morrison - 'Astral Weeks' - journey
something by The Bothy Band - my celtic roots
Steve Reich - something from his early or middle period – repetition
John Martyn's 'One World' - another great album engineered by Phil Brown
Who has caught you attention recently that we should be listening out for?
Nothing very new springs to mind - will have to give this one further thought...
CLARK TRACEY - Take Five No: 19
Can you tell us about your new album?
My quintet recorded Jubilation a few months ago and it's just been released. It's a combination of new material for the band plus some that we've played in already. I'm happy with the way it's turned out. I think it's a good indication of where the band is at the moment. It's on my own label, Tentoten records and should soon be available through all jazz outlets and download emporiums.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I'm still freelancing as much as possible and teaching at Birmingham Conservatoire. I have a customised kit almost ready, made by Cambridge Drum Company, which I am quite excited about. Also I've just made an album with an old Maltese friend, Dominic Galea, and some guys from here which we are performing at the Malta Jazz festival in July.
My quintet recorded Jubilation a few months ago and it's just been released. It's a combination of new material for the band plus some that we've played in already. I'm happy with the way it's turned out. I think it's a good indication of where the band is at the moment. It's on my own label, Tentoten records and should soon be available through all jazz outlets and download emporiums.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
I'm still freelancing as much as possible and teaching at Birmingham Conservatoire. I have a customised kit almost ready, made by Cambridge Drum Company, which I am quite excited about. Also I've just made an album with an old Maltese friend, Dominic Galea, and some guys from here which we are performing at the Malta Jazz festival in July.
Click on the album cover to read our review
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
I recently unearthed my vinyl collection so I've been trawling through some great albums that I haven't heard for a while. The last things I downloaded were "Mark Turner" by Mark Turner and "Wish" by Joshua Redman.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
I don't think I can pin it down to one recording I'm afraid but I can name Roy Haynes' Out Of The Afternoon" and Miles' Four And More for starters. Roy's playing is sublime on OOTA and has been inspirational to me. The Miles quintet were burning on their recording. What more can one say?
Who has caught your attention recently that we should be listening out for?
I've been impressed lately with Sean Payne on alto and the trumpeters Jake Labazzi and Alex Ridout. Ones to watch!
I recently unearthed my vinyl collection so I've been trawling through some great albums that I haven't heard for a while. The last things I downloaded were "Mark Turner" by Mark Turner and "Wish" by Joshua Redman.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
I don't think I can pin it down to one recording I'm afraid but I can name Roy Haynes' Out Of The Afternoon" and Miles' Four And More for starters. Roy's playing is sublime on OOTA and has been inspirational to me. The Miles quintet were burning on their recording. What more can one say?
Who has caught your attention recently that we should be listening out for?
I've been impressed lately with Sean Payne on alto and the trumpeters Jake Labazzi and Alex Ridout. Ones to watch!
BENET McLEAN - Take Five No: 18
Can you tell us about your new album?
I'm stumped to describe it! It's my 3rd studio album and will be out on 33Xtreme (33jazz Records) on 10th of June. It's a piano & vocal led 'kaleidoscopic' album, (sorry if that sounds too grandiose) and features some of my heroes on the scene such as Ashley Slater, Jason Yarde, Duncan Eagles & many others. I hope people really dig it. I'm planning to go in very different directions from now . . . .
What other projects are you currently involved in?
Have been working & playing with Clark Tracey recently, always a massive pleasure & also happy to have been involved in some of Partikel's work. Those guys are incredible & I've learnt a lot playing with them man.
I'm stumped to describe it! It's my 3rd studio album and will be out on 33Xtreme (33jazz Records) on 10th of June. It's a piano & vocal led 'kaleidoscopic' album, (sorry if that sounds too grandiose) and features some of my heroes on the scene such as Ashley Slater, Jason Yarde, Duncan Eagles & many others. I hope people really dig it. I'm planning to go in very different directions from now . . . .
What other projects are you currently involved in?
Have been working & playing with Clark Tracey recently, always a massive pleasure & also happy to have been involved in some of Partikel's work. Those guys are incredible & I've learnt a lot playing with them man.
Click on the album cover to read our review.
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
I tend to be annoyingly nostalgic in what I listen to these days, rather than being perhaps more healthily on the look out for new recordings . . .
Some I'm listening to recently might be :
Miles Davis 'Decoy', 'The Sorcerer' & 'My Funny Valentine'; Prince "Lovesexy"; Schoenberg's 'Gurreleider'; Heifetz playing Brahms and many Jean Luc Ponty albums.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
I'm always asking by friends this kind of thing too. I don't know if it can be called an 'album' , but I'd say at the moment maybe Fauré's Requiem, for it's beautiful melodies & harmonies.
Who has caught you attention recently that we should be listening out forA young guitarist called Mansur Brown . He's only 19yrs old I believe, but look out!!
Benet will be performing at the 606 Club in London on Thursday 16 June with special guest Julian Joseph on piano to mark the release of his new album The Bopped and the Bopless.
For more information visit www.606club.co.uk
I tend to be annoyingly nostalgic in what I listen to these days, rather than being perhaps more healthily on the look out for new recordings . . .
Some I'm listening to recently might be :
Miles Davis 'Decoy', 'The Sorcerer' & 'My Funny Valentine'; Prince "Lovesexy"; Schoenberg's 'Gurreleider'; Heifetz playing Brahms and many Jean Luc Ponty albums.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
I'm always asking by friends this kind of thing too. I don't know if it can be called an 'album' , but I'd say at the moment maybe Fauré's Requiem, for it's beautiful melodies & harmonies.
Who has caught you attention recently that we should be listening out forA young guitarist called Mansur Brown . He's only 19yrs old I believe, but look out!!
Benet will be performing at the 606 Club in London on Thursday 16 June with special guest Julian Joseph on piano to mark the release of his new album The Bopped and the Bopless.
For more information visit www.606club.co.uk
JAN LUNDGREN - Take Five No: 17
Can you tell us about your new album (The Ystad Concert )?
It is a tribute to the legendary Swedish Pianist Jan Johansson who was a pioneer in bringing folklore to jazz.For international audiences he is probably most well known for his collaborations with Stan Getz(on Verve) but especially in Scandinavia he became a huge star after the release of Jazz på Svenska in the early sixties.Jazz på Svenska is the most selling jazz album in Sweden through all times(approx 200 000 copies sold I believe).Jan Johansson was a main inspiration for me as a young jazz pianist and I always wanted to make a tribute album paying respect to his legacy.However,it took a while before I found the perfect way of doing so.In bringing in a string quartet I believe I have found a unique way to renew his interpretations without destroying the music.The cd was recorded live last year at the Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival-A festival I together with Thomas Lantz founded 2010 and since then been the artistic director of.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
One of my other main projects is Mare Nostrum.This trio consists of Italian trumpeter Paolo Fresu and French accordionist Richard Galliano. We have just released our 2nd CD (Mare Nostrum ll-ACT).The first CD was a big success selling over 60.000 copies since its release. Other than that I play a lot of solo concerts and always concerts with my regular trio (with Mattias Svensson-bass, Zoltan Csörsz-drums).I have also toured quite heavily recenty with Nils Landgren with his Bernstein project(Some Other Time-ACT).
It is a tribute to the legendary Swedish Pianist Jan Johansson who was a pioneer in bringing folklore to jazz.For international audiences he is probably most well known for his collaborations with Stan Getz(on Verve) but especially in Scandinavia he became a huge star after the release of Jazz på Svenska in the early sixties.Jazz på Svenska is the most selling jazz album in Sweden through all times(approx 200 000 copies sold I believe).Jan Johansson was a main inspiration for me as a young jazz pianist and I always wanted to make a tribute album paying respect to his legacy.However,it took a while before I found the perfect way of doing so.In bringing in a string quartet I believe I have found a unique way to renew his interpretations without destroying the music.The cd was recorded live last year at the Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival-A festival I together with Thomas Lantz founded 2010 and since then been the artistic director of.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
One of my other main projects is Mare Nostrum.This trio consists of Italian trumpeter Paolo Fresu and French accordionist Richard Galliano. We have just released our 2nd CD (Mare Nostrum ll-ACT).The first CD was a big success selling over 60.000 copies since its release. Other than that I play a lot of solo concerts and always concerts with my regular trio (with Mattias Svensson-bass, Zoltan Csörsz-drums).I have also toured quite heavily recenty with Nils Landgren with his Bernstein project(Some Other Time-ACT).
Click on the album cover to read our review
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
I am still buying lots of CDs. Among my latest listening pleasures are Joachim Kühn New Trio - Beauty and Truth (ACT),Oddjob - Folk (Caprice) and Sonny Rollins - Holding the Stage - Road Shows Vol.4 (Okeh).
What is your all time favourite album and why?
It has to be the very first jazz record that I bought.Oscar Peterson Trio - Night Train (Verve). It knocked me out when I ,as a 15 year old kid ,heard it. It was the first time in my life I heard jazz music and it changed my life.
Who has caught your attention recently that we should be listening out for?
There's always an amazing string of younger artists heading the scene. Tigran, Adam Baldych, Gianluca Petrella, Vincent Peirani, Elina Duni, Martin Sjöstedt are some great examples.
I am still buying lots of CDs. Among my latest listening pleasures are Joachim Kühn New Trio - Beauty and Truth (ACT),Oddjob - Folk (Caprice) and Sonny Rollins - Holding the Stage - Road Shows Vol.4 (Okeh).
What is your all time favourite album and why?
It has to be the very first jazz record that I bought.Oscar Peterson Trio - Night Train (Verve). It knocked me out when I ,as a 15 year old kid ,heard it. It was the first time in my life I heard jazz music and it changed my life.
Who has caught your attention recently that we should be listening out for?
There's always an amazing string of younger artists heading the scene. Tigran, Adam Baldych, Gianluca Petrella, Vincent Peirani, Elina Duni, Martin Sjöstedt are some great examples.
GEOFF EALES - Take Five No: 16
Photograph by Tim Dickeson
Can you tell us about your new album?
Of all my thirteen albums to date, Transience is by far the closest to my heart. It was spawned out of a state of intense sadness following the passing of my Mother in March 2015. I was also very saddened to learn of the death of John Taylor in July 2015. John was a person who I always looked up to. He was the most wonderful pianist, improviser and composer. He was in bits at Kenny Wheeler’s Memorial Concert at St.James Church Paddington in October 2014, an incredible concert that I will remember for the rest of my life. After the concert we embraced as we remembered the gentle genius that gave so much to the world of contemporary music. Kenny’s music tore down musical barriers. To call him a marvellous jazz trumpeter/flugelhorn player /composer is to limit him. He was a wonderful human being whose music connected deeply with the listener. He’s up there with Strauss, Mahler and Hindemith as a composer and there’s no better improviser in the jazz field. I couldn’t believe that nine months later John had left us too. I wanted to pay my respects to both Kenny and John in my own little way as well as paying tribute to Mum of course. Without the love and support of Mum and Dad throughout my entire career I would never had enjoyed such a wonderful life in music. Mum drove me on to complete my Ph.D when I felt like giving up, Dad always encouraging me on my jazz journey.I thought it appropriate to call on the services of Chris Laurence and Martin France for the project since their association with both Kenny and John go back a very long time. It also seemed natural to feature voice and trumpet/flugelhorn to reflect their fantastic work together along with the wonderful Norma Winstone in Azimuth. I chose Brigitte Beraha and Noel Langley for the task. I could not have wished for a more effective partnership. Langley’s performance on “Remembering Kenny” is stupendous (“stupendous” was a word that Dave Gelly actually used on his recent Observer review to describe Noel’s playing on the album) and Beraha’s vocalisation at the end of “If Only…” is spine-tingling. It’s the first time I’ve used a voice on an album but it had to be so since, in my state of grief, words just kept on coming and coming. The album reflects on the impermanence of life. As we’re on this planet for such a short time it seems absolutely senseless to be embroiled in conflict. Why not choose love over hate? Why not try to exercise change in our lives? A clue to the emotional landscape of the album is to be found in the titles: “Sleep Eternal”, “Life Dance”, “Atonement”, “We All Must Change” and so on.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
Apart from “Transience” I have quite a few projects on the go at the moment: a free improv drumless trio with reedsman Ben Waghorn and the free-wheeling bassist Ashley John Long ; a contemporary classical incarnation with the barrier-busting flautist Andy Findon; a fusion quintet with Waghorn, guitarist Carl Orr, fretless
bass guitarist Fred T Baker and drummer Asaf Sirkis. Then there’s the Standards Trio with Julie Walkington and Simon Pearson which sometimes morphs into a quartet with the addition of Canadian saxophonist Michael Coates into the fray. In the summer I’m very much looking forward to working with the great Keith Tippett in a 2-piano improvised extravaganza at the Fishguard International Festival.
Of all my thirteen albums to date, Transience is by far the closest to my heart. It was spawned out of a state of intense sadness following the passing of my Mother in March 2015. I was also very saddened to learn of the death of John Taylor in July 2015. John was a person who I always looked up to. He was the most wonderful pianist, improviser and composer. He was in bits at Kenny Wheeler’s Memorial Concert at St.James Church Paddington in October 2014, an incredible concert that I will remember for the rest of my life. After the concert we embraced as we remembered the gentle genius that gave so much to the world of contemporary music. Kenny’s music tore down musical barriers. To call him a marvellous jazz trumpeter/flugelhorn player /composer is to limit him. He was a wonderful human being whose music connected deeply with the listener. He’s up there with Strauss, Mahler and Hindemith as a composer and there’s no better improviser in the jazz field. I couldn’t believe that nine months later John had left us too. I wanted to pay my respects to both Kenny and John in my own little way as well as paying tribute to Mum of course. Without the love and support of Mum and Dad throughout my entire career I would never had enjoyed such a wonderful life in music. Mum drove me on to complete my Ph.D when I felt like giving up, Dad always encouraging me on my jazz journey.I thought it appropriate to call on the services of Chris Laurence and Martin France for the project since their association with both Kenny and John go back a very long time. It also seemed natural to feature voice and trumpet/flugelhorn to reflect their fantastic work together along with the wonderful Norma Winstone in Azimuth. I chose Brigitte Beraha and Noel Langley for the task. I could not have wished for a more effective partnership. Langley’s performance on “Remembering Kenny” is stupendous (“stupendous” was a word that Dave Gelly actually used on his recent Observer review to describe Noel’s playing on the album) and Beraha’s vocalisation at the end of “If Only…” is spine-tingling. It’s the first time I’ve used a voice on an album but it had to be so since, in my state of grief, words just kept on coming and coming. The album reflects on the impermanence of life. As we’re on this planet for such a short time it seems absolutely senseless to be embroiled in conflict. Why not choose love over hate? Why not try to exercise change in our lives? A clue to the emotional landscape of the album is to be found in the titles: “Sleep Eternal”, “Life Dance”, “Atonement”, “We All Must Change” and so on.
What other projects are you currently involved in?
Apart from “Transience” I have quite a few projects on the go at the moment: a free improv drumless trio with reedsman Ben Waghorn and the free-wheeling bassist Ashley John Long ; a contemporary classical incarnation with the barrier-busting flautist Andy Findon; a fusion quintet with Waghorn, guitarist Carl Orr, fretless
bass guitarist Fred T Baker and drummer Asaf Sirkis. Then there’s the Standards Trio with Julie Walkington and Simon Pearson which sometimes morphs into a quartet with the addition of Canadian saxophonist Michael Coates into the fray. In the summer I’m very much looking forward to working with the great Keith Tippett in a 2-piano improvised extravaganza at the Fishguard International Festival.
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What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
I’m currently listening to Alban Berg’s Violin Concerto with Henryk Szeryng and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under Rafael Kublik. Though the work adopts Schoenberg’s 12- tone technique it does so in a way that also embraces tonality which makes the music much more accessible than the more rigid approach of Schoenberg. It is a wonderful work, full of deep emotion. Its themes are life, death and transfiguration. It seems to resonate with my current state of mind. It was inspired by the death by polio of eighteen-year old Manon Gropius, the daughter of Alma Mahler (former wife of Gustav Mahler) and Walter Gropius. The concerto is dedicated “To the memory of an angel”. I am also listening to George Duke’s A Brazilian Love Affair. It really helps to blow the blues away. I smile when I remember us jamming at Camden’s Jazz Café, one of the most memorable experiences of my life thus far. It also transports my mind back to Rio where I enjoyed many a fine time on Ipanema and Copacabana beaches in the mid-seventees. Cecil Taylor’s Nefertiti, The Beautiful One Has Come with Jimmy Lyons and Sunny Murray is playing right now - challenging, uncompromising music. A little less challenging is the Bill Evans album Symbiosis, a glorious, painfully beautiful album composed and arranged by Claus Ogerman. I got the LP out if its folder just now for the first time in many a year. The last CD I bought was Issie Barratt’s powerful big band album Astral Pleasures. Issie also happens to be Transience’s executive producer. She’s a marvellous composer as well as being an expert in the field of jazz education.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
I don’t know if I have one all time favourite album. I love so many. But Chick Corea’ Now He Sings Now He Sobs and Keith Jarrett’s Belonging have to be real contenders. The former is a tour de force of invention, the interplay between the very young Chick and Miroslav Vitous and Roy Haynes a joy to behold. Belonging is the first album by Jarrett’s “European Quartet” with Jan Garbarek, Palle Danielsson and Jon Christensen. The music is very emotional, veering between gay abandon and deep sadness, and all points in between.
Who has caught your attention recently that we should be listening out for?
There are so many fine young jazz musicians taking the world by storm these days. Amongst them are the exceptional trumpeter/composer/improviser Laura Jurd, guitarists Maciek Pysz and Ant Law, alto saxophonist Nathaniel Facey and pianist Elliot Galvin. But there are so many many more. When things settle down after the release of this album and when the 3-month tour is finally over I look forward to checking out more great young musicians who are helping to take the music ever forward.
I’m currently listening to Alban Berg’s Violin Concerto with Henryk Szeryng and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under Rafael Kublik. Though the work adopts Schoenberg’s 12- tone technique it does so in a way that also embraces tonality which makes the music much more accessible than the more rigid approach of Schoenberg. It is a wonderful work, full of deep emotion. Its themes are life, death and transfiguration. It seems to resonate with my current state of mind. It was inspired by the death by polio of eighteen-year old Manon Gropius, the daughter of Alma Mahler (former wife of Gustav Mahler) and Walter Gropius. The concerto is dedicated “To the memory of an angel”. I am also listening to George Duke’s A Brazilian Love Affair. It really helps to blow the blues away. I smile when I remember us jamming at Camden’s Jazz Café, one of the most memorable experiences of my life thus far. It also transports my mind back to Rio where I enjoyed many a fine time on Ipanema and Copacabana beaches in the mid-seventees. Cecil Taylor’s Nefertiti, The Beautiful One Has Come with Jimmy Lyons and Sunny Murray is playing right now - challenging, uncompromising music. A little less challenging is the Bill Evans album Symbiosis, a glorious, painfully beautiful album composed and arranged by Claus Ogerman. I got the LP out if its folder just now for the first time in many a year. The last CD I bought was Issie Barratt’s powerful big band album Astral Pleasures. Issie also happens to be Transience’s executive producer. She’s a marvellous composer as well as being an expert in the field of jazz education.
What is your all time favourite album and why?
I don’t know if I have one all time favourite album. I love so many. But Chick Corea’ Now He Sings Now He Sobs and Keith Jarrett’s Belonging have to be real contenders. The former is a tour de force of invention, the interplay between the very young Chick and Miroslav Vitous and Roy Haynes a joy to behold. Belonging is the first album by Jarrett’s “European Quartet” with Jan Garbarek, Palle Danielsson and Jon Christensen. The music is very emotional, veering between gay abandon and deep sadness, and all points in between.
Who has caught your attention recently that we should be listening out for?
There are so many fine young jazz musicians taking the world by storm these days. Amongst them are the exceptional trumpeter/composer/improviser Laura Jurd, guitarists Maciek Pysz and Ant Law, alto saxophonist Nathaniel Facey and pianist Elliot Galvin. But there are so many many more. When things settle down after the release of this album and when the 3-month tour is finally over I look forward to checking out more great young musicians who are helping to take the music ever forward.
