Critically-acclaimed Italian vocalist Irene Serra (Wynton Marsalis, Norma Winstone, US3) and guitarist LucaBoscagin (Jason Rebello, Cinematic Orchestra, Jim Mullen) announce the upcoming release of their new album “The Great British Songbook” preceded by four singles.

Album release date: Friday 29th November 2024. Pre order by clicking here

1st Single release date “Give Me The Night” : Friday 6th September 2024

2nd Single release date “There Must Be an Angel : Friday 4th October 2024

3rd Single release date “Eleanor Rigby” : Friday 1st November 2024

4th single release date “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” : Friday 29th November 2024

Album preview launch will take place on Saturday 2nd November Cafe Posk, London.

Brought together by their passion for British pop music, Irene and Luca have handpicked some of the most loved songs by famous British singer and/or songwriters of the last 70 years and created fresh-sounding, unique arrangements.

From The Beatles to Sting, Massive Attack and Imogen Heap, this album is a celebration of the most defining songs of the British music scene reimagined through their signature soulful sound.

“The Great British Songbook” is their defiant and passionate love letter to the brilliance of British music (which was one of the main reasons they both moved to London from Italy) in the face of Brexit and its aftermath.

“…sublime vocals…” - JAZZ FM

"...Irene Serra has a strong stage presence and a compelling vocal tone, which she uses to great effect…."  - JAZZWISE

“…Serra’s voice is graceful and sensual…” - ALL ABOUT JAZZ

“...Serra’s singing is superb, perhaps at its most effective when she sounds bruised and vulnerable...” - Kind of Jazz

Irene Serra

Irene Serra is a critically-acclaimed Italian Jazz vocalist and composer based in London. She is known for her varied and eclectic repertoire, masterfully performing straight ahead jazz standards, blues, Brazilian music and her own original compositions.

Irene has performed in world-class venues in and around the UK, including at the premiere of the Abyssinian Mass at the Barbican (with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra), Southbank Centre, Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Union Chapel and  King’s Place.

Her poised performances have already earned her much critical acclaim: her original project, ISQ, was a ‘Time Out Critics Choice’ in 2015 and she was longlisted for “Best Jazz Vocalist” at the 2022 Parliamentary Jazz Awards. She was also a finalist at the Shure Montreux Jazz Competition in 2009. Irene is currently working on her 5th album of original music with her project, ISQ and is also set to release her first album of Jazz standards in 2025.

Luca Boscagin

Guitarist Luca Boscagin grew up heavily influenced by Rock & Jazz, and as a musician has an equally wide range of guises to play with. He moved to London in 2009, driven by a passion for the British music scene where he recorded at major studios such as Abbey Road and Real World.

The Great British Songbook

 Line up

Irene Serra – vocals

Luca Boscagin – guitar

Tracklist

1. Give Me the Night (Rod Temperton) 

2. Jesus He Knows Me (Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford)

3. There Must Be an Angel (Playing With My Heart) (Annie Lennox, David A. Stewart)

4. Eleanor Rigby (John Lennon, Paul McCartney)

5. Off the Wall (Rod Temperton)

6. Teardrop (Robert Del Naja, Elizabeth Fraser, Grantley Marshall, Andrew Vowles)

7.  Wonderwall (Noel Gallagher)

8.  Night Fever (Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb)

9.  Hide and Seek (Imogen Heap)

10. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic (Sting)

Follow Irene Serra on:

www.ireneserra.com      

www.instagram.com/ireneserramusic   

www.youtube.com/ireneserramusic

www.facebook.com/ireneserramusic   

www.twitter.com/ireneserramusic

Emma Smith new album ‘Hat-trick!’ Out on Oct 25th (pre-ordered copies are sent out 3 weeks before official release!)

Emma Smith returns with 'Hat-trick!', her third studio album following the success of 2022’s ‘Meshuga Baby’, which received a plethora of praise from fans and critics alike.

Pre-order your signed copy of Emma's new album now and receive it before everyone else.

'Hat-trick!' will be introduced to the world by a triple show album launch by Emma and her swinging trio and is an amalgamation of music from three very diverse EP’s, but is much is much more than a celebration of all things thrice, as Emma explains: 

"Being an independent artist in this day and age is a roller coaster, to say the least. But whilst the music industry landscape remains totally unpredictable, there is one thing that can be relied upon; one must be capable of wearing an abundance of hats. We must be able to write the theme tune, sing the theme tune, design the front cover of the theme tune, register the theme tune for royalties collection services...etc. So this album is simultaneously a tip of the hat (whoops!) to all the incredible, brave and resilient independent artists out there following their dreams, and also to the supportive, loving and culture-curious music fans who buy the music, come to the shows, and roar with joy when we succeed. I see you, I respect you and I am you!"

 It is this outlook that has helped Emma Smith achieve a whole range of diverse and extensive experiences throughout her career to date, performing everywhere from the 02 Arena to the leading jazz clubs of New York City, collaborating and recording with the likes of Michael Buble, The Quincy Jones Orchestra, Jeff Goldblum, Georgie Fame and Seal along the way. Emma Smith has created a formidable reputation as a powerful and expressive artist in UK jazz and will continue to augment this with Hat Trick, as its concept can extend beyond the music word.

Emma remarks that “As a society we so used to wearing so many hats; mother, daughter, sister, wife, employee, friend, career, student, boss, explorer, creator... it’s sometimes a challenge to get in touch with the truest, purest part of who we are. Music helps me to do that, the intangible, heartfelt, joyfulness of it. And so my wish is that this record allows you, even if for a few minutes. to get close to that pure, magical true, YOU.”

Some of the music on Hat-Trick will remain off streaming platforms for sometime to give exclusivity for those who purchase the album. To honour you, my loyal fans.

Beyond its many meanings, Hat-trick is quite simply a showcase of Emma Smith’s unique and uniquely exhilarating vocal ability – a slice of inspiration in musical form for the world to enjoy.

Pre Order here
For Emma Smith website click here

Elsden Music is proud to present Above The Clouds, the new album from The Ilario Ferrari Trio.

On the cusp of releasing his fourth studio album, pianist and singer Ilario Ferrari has developed a distinctive compositional style that blends contemporary instrumental jazz with vocal harmonies, incorporating classical nuances and influences from both Indian culture and his South Italian heritage. Ilario’s unique style is perfectly complemented by his two well-known collaborators and rising jazz stars: drummer Katie Patterson and bassist Charlie Pyne, who recently released her album "Nature Is A Mother," (featuring Patterson on drums), which has received high accolades from both the media and fans alike.

Formed in 2020 during the global lockdown, the trio found solace in their musical synergy, quickly developing their unique sound.Their debut performance in 2021 at Lauderdale House in London, live-streamed across Europe, served as a catalyst for their rise to public attention. The trio’s 2021 debut album, "Childhood Memories," was widely praised and received international radio support, helping them secure high-profile live shows.

These live performances include headlining the Watford Jazz Festival in 2022 and collaborating with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra on a world premiere composition by Ilario.They have also performed at the London Jazz Festival, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Ecosuoni Festival in Italy, and Jazzahead in Germany, among others. Additionally, Ilario’s duo with renowned Cuban violinist Omar Puente has garnered positive attention in a range of alternative circles.

Above The Clouds will be released via Elsden Music, a jazz label based in the heart of East London, run by recording and mixing engineer Greg Dowling. At the heart of this new record lies the theme of relationships: our connection to the planet andthe musical and personal bonds between Ilario, Charlie, Katie and their relationships with loved ones. It is also about elevation and observation, from ‘Above The Clouds’ and from the grounded embrace of Mother Earth, impressions of love, loss, and of home are expressed through a beguiling blend of vocal-led songs and instrumentals.

This recording is more than just a simple jazz trio album, with the trio expanding and contracting as each song requires.The Ilario Ferrari Trio’s innovative approach combined with their indisputable skill promises to be a breath of fresh air in the jazz world and beyond.

All music composed by Ilario Ferrari.

Lyrics by Ilario Ferrari except Summer Lullaby by Charlie Pyne Arrangements by Ilario Ferrari, Charlie Pyne & Katie Patterson

Drums and Vocals - Katie Patterson Double Bass and Vocals - Charlie Pyne Piano, Piano FX and Vocals - Ilario Ferrari

All sounds are produced by either acoustic piano, double bass, drums or human voices. Sound effects are generated using pedal effects on the instruments.

Recorded at Curtis Schwartz studio on November 21st and 22nd 2023 and on January the 11th 2024

Strings recorded by Michael John McGlone at Middlesex University Studio Children Choir recorded at St. Johns Church in Watford by Joe Jackson

Mixed by Joe Jackson

Mastered by Nick Watson at Fluid Mastering in Bristol. Album cover picture by Ciprian Turutea

Trio Pictures by Robert Crowley

Strings on the track “Above The Clouds” recorded by Soli Strings Quartet Violin - Abbie Davis

Violin - Annalise Lam Viola - Jules Dos-Reis

Cello - Miranda Lewis-Brown Release date: 11th October 2024

Elsden Music website click here

Ilario Ferrai website click here

Drummer Holly Channell to release debut recording "Not Just A Standard"

Message from Holly! 

This is a very special project for me. I chose to do my debut album with arranged jazz standards because that’s how I learned to play and appreciate this music. Black American music is sacred music to me. It cuts deeper, and I am grateful to be a guest within this art form. I became enchanted by this music in January 2017 in a Jazz History class taught by Dr Ryan Nielsen. It was in this class that my life changed. He wasn’t afraid to teach the real meaning of this music, where it really came from, and the realities of the real history of the United States and where we are with those realities today. In this class I learned about Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong and many other incredible human beings who used their gifts in music to fight for their basic human rights and tell their stories. I knew right there and then that I wanted to be on that side of history. Since that class I dedicated myself to the craft, and not just with playing but with striving to understand and respect the seat that I am now sitting in and who sat before me. I will always strive to acknowledge and accept that. I have a debt of gratitude to Dr Ryan Nielsen for his bravery, courage, and willingness to teach the truth in a place where that’s not always accepted.

And Thank YOU of course, to Jordi Pujol and Fresh Sound for taking a chance on me and putting out this record! I hope everyone that listens to this record dances a little. -With Love, Holly

About Holly Channell

Holly Channell is an American drummer, musician, educator and composer based in Boston, MA. Versatile, Holly plays everything from Straight Jazz to Pop and Rock. Recently off a tour celebrating the Academy Award Winning lyricist Dorothy Fields, Holly is currently set to release her Debut Jazz Album “Not Just a Standard” with FreshSound Records on a planned 2024 release. Holly’s sound steers from the straight ahead jazz tradition, but is influenced heavily from the 90’s and early 2000’s alternative sounds she grew up listening to. Finding her voice, she resonates heavily with drummers such as Roy Haynes, Max Roach and Elvin Jones, but also appreciates the sounds from the late Taylor Hawkins, Jeff Porcaro, and Nirvana’s Dave Grohl.

Holly started playing drums at age 10, being introduced to the craft by her late Metal-Drumming uncle, Brice Chaput. By age 15, Holly was studying percussion classically, touring with a Symphony Orchestra, and teaching privately and in group educational settings. In 2017 Holly was introduced to the world of Jazz, and never looked back. She got her BA in Jazz Studies, her Master of Music in Jazz Performance from ASU studying with the great Lewis Nash, and received a Master of Global Jazz from Berklee College of Music. Through her education and early career she was able to learn, play and create mentorships with Kobie Watkins, Benny Green, Roxy Coss, Jason Palmer, Wycliffe Gordon and many others. At Berklee Global Jazz Institute Holly worked heavily with Danilo Perez, John Patitucci, Joe Lovano, Marco Pignataro, Jerry Leake, Tony Malaby, Ron Savage, Terri Lyne Carrington and Yoron Israel. In 2023, Holly was Recognized and awarded as a Sister in Jazz with the Jazz Education Network where she got to work under the direction of acclaimed bassist Marion Hayden.

Along with her upcoming jazz album, Holly has also released self-produced singer-songwriter singles under the pseudonym Holly Marie, which helps her go back to her roots when she first started music; picking up a Guitar for Dummies Book. These releases are available on all streaming platforms. Holly continues to teach privately and in higher education while performing with musicians from around the world. She is also a loving mother and wife. As a member of the LGBTQ+ Community, she continues to be an advocate for human rights not only as a queer member of society, but as a woman in a man’s world. She is currently working on a musical project revolving around the life cycle of a woman in the United States and is set to premiere it at the Berklee Global Jazz Festival in April 2024.

Along with educating her own studio of music students and at University, Holly performs and is a clinician at Jazz festivals throughout the world, some of which include the Panama Jazz Festival, BYU-Idaho Jazz festival, Highland Jazz Festival, Berklee Global Jazz Festival and many others.

Holly Channell - Drums

Jason Palmer - trumpet

Mike Kocour - piano

Ben Headquist - bass

Release Date: October 4th, 2024

(Fresh Sound New Talent)

 https://hollychannellmusic.com/

“I wanted to tell the most honest and personal stories possible. The most personal stories are what I can do best and know best.”

For Sol Jang, "19-29" is more than her debut album, it's a significant milestone that captures her rich experiences and personal growth across different continents. Scheduled for release by Unit Records on October 3, 2024, this album warmly invites listeners into Sol's exploration of identity, culture, and belonging through a seamless blend of jazz.

Blending traditional jazz harmonies with elements of free improvisation and classical music, "19-29" offers listeners an immersive journey. The album features eight original compositions alongside two improvisational pieces, incorporating voice messages from Sol’s phone, adding a deeply personal layer to the musical narrative.

"19-29" is distinguished by its innovative use of sound devices to convey the layered emotions and narratives of Sol's life. Among these, ambient subway sounds from Sol’s father's phone emerge not just as background noise but as a means to give sonic experiences to the listeners. For Sol's experiences of chaos and clarity, of being lost and found, drum and bass improvisations mirror Sol's internal tumult, while the piano narrates her journey in harmonies and melodies, showcasing the album’s deep commitment to storytelling through musical metaphors.

Through this album, the trio gently encourages listeners to delve into the nuances of its stories through the beautiful complexity of music. It’s an album that hopes to resonate with those who hear it, inviting them into a shared space of contemplation and discovery.

The trio will be celebrating the release with a tour of South Korea in May and another tour of the Netherlands and Germany from October till March 2025.

Sol Jang website click here

For more info click here

The seamstress of worlds and words, Carmen Souza, returns with her eleventh album Port’Inglês (English Port). This Arts Council England supported album releases through Galileo Music Communication on 27th September 2024, with the launch concert taking place on 30th November at London’s Crazy Coqs. Port’Inglês reveals untold stories from years of British presence in Cape Verde and the decolonisation struggle under Portugal. “Port’Inglês” is Carmen Souza’s deeply personal journey exploring her roots and, in the process, exploring what alchemy arises from the dust of pain, loss and chaos of this colonised period.

“Port’Inglês” is a celebration of Cape Verdean identity. It is fascinating to accompany Carmen through this musical suite as she explores the origins of her diasporic identity through language and different voices from colonised Cape Verde. She links the UK and Cape Verdean worlds, both connections close to her heart.Jazz waltzes freedom with traditional Cape Verdean rhythms such as funaná, contradança, morna and mazurka; as well as with English folk inspired sea shanty “Francis Drum” which portrays contradictory sides of English explorer, Francis Drake. Was he a British hero sailor or a terror and pillager?

Carmen Souza and long-time collaborator Theo Pascal’s two decade, matured original Lusophone/Cape Verdean sounds, add another dimension to the music and symbolise the significant cultural exchange embodied within the album. The collaboration of prominent jazz musicians from across the globe reinforces and celebrates this interconnectedness. Musicians include Elias Kacomanolis (Mozambique), Diogo Santos (Portugal), João Oliveira (Angola), Deschanel Gordon (UK), Zoe Pascal (UK/Portugal), Mark Kavuma (UK) and Gareth Lockrane (UK). “Port’Inglês” breaks chains, journeying beyond linguistic and cultural confines. Whilst proclaiming the saga of the Islands, the music echoes a call for freedom traversing geography.

Significantly, “Port’Inglês” releases the same year Portugal celebrates 50 years of the Carnation Revolution, the military coup that overthrew the authoritarian Estado Novo government in 1974. This movement paved the way for the end of Wars in colonial Africa and opened the door to Independence from Portugal. “Port’Inglês” celebrates and reclaims unheard Cape Verdean voices that shape identity today. Carmen Souza’s Master’s thesis on the British presence in Cape Verde inspired the album:

“I drew inspiration from the tales told in Cape Verde to create this musical suite. Through my research for my Master’s thesis, I sought to embody this historical period through music. The album explores themes of cultural identity, resistance, colonialism and the ongoing struggle for decolonisation, highlighting the connection between Cape Verde and the UK. Inspiration came from popular tales, tales of the sea, and even sea shanties from British folk music.”

Carmen resided in the UK for 16 years, a country that nurtured her creativity. Her research reveals a bond she hadn’t yet realised between the UK and Cape Verde. The synchronicity of Charles Darwin sailing to Cape Verde from Woolwich Arsenal, the very London town she made home for four years, all the more symbolises this shared connection. The morna “Cais D' Port’Inglês” portrays cultural assimilation through the sea waves during the British presence: “In the piers of these English ports/ There is richness/That the sea waves bring and take away…”

Whilst unravelling untold stories, Carmen unravels her identity. She explores how the British presence shaped her motherland’s culture; a culture she inherited. This new music demonstrates how intimately linked culture and language are. The track “Moringue” reflects how different languages on the same land can create misinterpretation and missed connection between individuals. Whereas, “Ariope” describes connection through the incorporation of English language into native Cape Verdean Creole and shaping a new identity. For example, “hurry up” becomes “ariope” – terms Carmen Souza heard from her parents and as part of her culture. The backdrop in “Ariope” of port workers addressed derogatorily gives insight into the abuse of power in Cape Verde.

Yes, this is personal. Yet, “Port’Inglês” reflects that things are not clear-cut. The album portrays different realities of this colonised period and suggests imprints left on future generations. Like an ink-stained fingerprint, identity does not remain the same.

The album carries angry jazz and probes: “If colonization/was such a benefit/why did you need chains and whips to make it convincing/what worth is there/in a prosperity stained with blood and pain? ...”  (Track 2, “Pamodi”). However, the song “Amizadi” tells a story of friendship between two cultures based on prolific Cape Verdean writer, composer and singer B. Leza’s support and admiration for the British: “Let me tell you the Friendship story between two cultures/ This story is not in the books/ It is not taught at schools/ The British and their boats came to sail in our waters/ To make business, buying Donkeys, Salt and Anchil/… Pirates came and destroyed cities and churches… The British came defend our ports…”

Carmen Souza opens a porthole into histories. Perhaps traditional history prefers linear structure. “Port’Inglês” defies tradition by presenting authentic experiences. The album sound creation process also reflects this integrity. Composer Theo Pascal reflects: “Our priority was to allow each instrument’s acoustic ‘colours’ to shine through organically, without requiring extensive digital processing or effects. The use of analogue and other digital recording techniques is a nod to the historical nature of the stories we tell here, adding a layer of authenticity to the album.”

Carmen Souza’s music is celebrated for not fitting into a box. Now, Carmen Souza’s untold stories rise from the ashes of the past to rock the boat.

“Port’Inglês” releases internationally through Galileo MC on
September 27th 2024.

Carmen Souza website

Tickets for launch November 30th at Crazy Coqs London, click here