MALIJA - THE DAY I HAD EVERYTHING
As Mark
Lockheart explains: ‘The Day I Had Everything is about many musical things,
often styles and influences that have come from our many diverse musical experiences
working and developing in London’s vibrant jazz scene. The melting pot of
London’s multi-faceted music scene is reflected in the compositions, to me this
is London jazz music, distinct and different from the American sound”. Their
first collaboration was back in 2009, when the three musicians recorded and
toured with Mark Lockheart’s acclaimed
album ‘In Deep’, a record that not only bought these three musicians together
as part of a quintet but initiated a long term collaboration between Edition
and Jasper Høiby’s Phronesis. Since then, each of them has developed so great a
mutual respect and friendship that to form a trio seemed the most logical and
natural next step. ‘The Day I Had Everything’ magnifies what is beautiful about
great jazz. The subtleties and sophisticated group interaction offers countless
rewards. The original material by all three members has many diverse influences
including bluegrass, tango, a 1930’s jungle feel and even references to English
classical music. Jasper describes the music as “simple, weird, complicated,
free, tight, beautiful, ugly and heartfelt depending on your mood”. ’The Day I
Had Everything’ is a reference to the sheer excitement one has as a child
getting up in the morning and not being able to decide what to do first –
everything seems so shiny and new . The coming together of Malija was like this
– the three of us bringing in our compositions and developing them into
something tangible, then the sheer fun of exploring the music in the recording
studio
GERARD
PRESENCER - GROOVE TRAVELS
Groove
Travels is the highly anticipated new album from British trumpeter, arranger
and composer Gerard Presencer, featuring the Danish Radio Big Band. Groove
Travels is set to be a defining album both for Gerard and for new Big Band
conceptions. This new release is without doubt his most ambitious and
well-executed solo recording to date and will happily stand alongside the
leading voices in contemporary big band music. The idea for this album first
took root when Gerard moved to Copenhagen to take a trumpet seat in the band.
As Gerard explains: ‘It’s taken five or six years for me to get this album
together which is great for a project like this, because I got to know
everybody, we play together all the time, so the tunes that I’ve chosen are
specifically chosen for the musicians that are playing them’. Over the past 25
years Gerard Presencer has carved out a formidable reputation as one of the
most respected trumpeters on the European scene. He exploded onto the
international scene, aged 18, when US3 asked him to play the solo part on Blue
Note’s Cantaloupe Island (re-imagined as Cantaloup Flip-Fantasia), that became
one of the biggest selling jazz records of the 1990s. Since then, he has
performed with a who’s who of international jazz artists, and has developed a
career as an educator, arranger and composer. Gerard has also been an essential
member of Charlie Watts’ various jazz groups over the last 25 years, touring
the world and releasing several albums in various groups with the jazz-loving
Stone! Gerard continues to push himself and his instrument, moving outside his
comfort zone in order to develop as a player and writer.
ANDRE
FERNANDES – DREAM KEEPER
‘Dream
Keeper’ is a high-class and innovative set of originals that marks the first
major international release from Portuguese guitarist and composer Andre
Fernandes. Since 2002 Lisbon-born Fernandes has generated a wave of glowing
reviews for appearances with some of the finest international musicians. As a
beacon of inspirational energy and determined spirit in his native Portugal,
Fernandes has been described by Portuguese music critic, Rui Eduardo Paes, as
‘one of the most important Portuguese jazz musicians today, with credits that
largely surpass the field of jazz and a continuous ability to surprise us’. ‘Dream
Keeper’ is a career defining album that draws together Andre’s strengths as
composer, player and bandleader, with the help of a stellar cast of musicians,
into one coherent and well-executed album. ‘Dream Keeper’ confirms Andre’s
promise and offers him an opportunity to approach a global audience and ignite
a glowing international career. Born in Lisbon in 1976, Andre Fernandes is a
natural leader with an entrepreneurial spirit. In 2002, he formed T.O.A.P.
(Tone of A Pitch), his own imprint, as a way to take control of his own destiny
and as a vehicle for his talented cohorts. Driven by the desire to collaborate
and an empathy and respect for his band mates, Andre has plenty to give.
Compositionally, the music is bold with a determined spirit drawing on a wide
array of influences and colors. As a player, Andre has a commanding sound with
inventive use of pedals, tones and color. As a bandleader, he leaves space for
others to shine and is able to bring the best performances from his musicians.
There’s obvious mutual respect and friendship on offer and the music is the
better for it. If ‘Dream Keeper’ is a sign of what is to come for this young,
incredibly talented guitarist, then the next few years look very exciting.
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