*Dreamers Ball *is the new album from singer-songwriter and composer Rebecca Poole. Forthcoming in October 2023, Dreamers Ball sees the charismatic vocalist return to her roots to record original material in a classic jazz style with an interpretation of one of her favourite songs included for good measure, stripped back to their vital essence in order to emphasise Rebecca’s unique abilities. With nowhere to hide, this is in itself a formidable challenge, however Rebecca Poole’s sincerity and talent shine through on her new work, clearly demonstrating that she has trusted her instincts and followed her heart.

Achieving success in more commercial realms under the moniker ‘Purdy’, Rebecca Poole’s multiple accomplishments include a support tour with Jools Holland’s band (culminating in a mesmerizing performance at The Royal Albert Hall), a recent appearance in Netflix TV series 'The Crown' singing 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You', performing to over 90,000 people at Wembley Stadium, not to mention sharing a stage as a guest vocalist with Jamie Cullum at Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Rebecca’s creative awareness led her to know that this future project should be separated by definition in style, illustrating her prowess as a multifaceted artist. Because this is undoubtedly her most personal work to date, a return to her birth name seemed natural and appropriate.

Rather than covering much performed material by the stars of yesteryear, Rebecca Poole makes the bold move of presenting her own songs to the world, with an album of predominantly original material. This confident approach is testament to Rebecca’s resolute belief in her potential as a singer and a songwriter guided by intuition.

Speaking about Dreamers Ball, Rebecca Poole says: “It has been a fulfilling experience, finding my way back to jazz, with the help of producer James McMillan and some extraordinary players. It was important to me to record the whole band together in one room. Each song you hear is one take and you can feel the integrity and continuity that comes with doing that. I love how this album is a collection of new compositions combined with some carefully picked poignant songs from my past that have been most praised by my listeners. It feels like a musical journey back home and the Dreamers Ball is a timeless place where we can all go to lose ourselves in music.”

Dreamers Ball is a powerful album created by a stand-out artist that has achieved the perfect showcase of her musical abilities – an important contribution to this year’s creative output.

Links here

Hiromi has released her 12th studio album Sonicwonderland (Telarc), a new musical adventure for the GRAMMY-winning pianist and composer. Recorded with a new quartet called Hiromi’s Sonicwonder, the album features 9 new tracks that burst with synthesizer and deep-in-the-pocket grooves. The record stands as Hiromi’s heaviest, funkiest work yet, marking a significant evolution in her musical journey into genre-defying territory.

“Whenever I play shows or make an album, I feel like it's a journey to find the people who can feel a deep connection to what I'm doing right now. Hopefully, with Sonicwonderland, I can connect to fans that listened to my music before and to new listeners, too.”  - Hiromi

Hiromi shared two pieces from the record in advance of today’s release: the title track "Sonicwonderland" (watch the video here) and the second single "Reminiscence" featuring UK singer/songwriter/keyboardist Oli Rockberger (watch the video here) along with an album trailer here. She's also released a 1-minute Collab Dance Video, featuring hip-hop dancer Salah the Entertainer, for the "Sonicwonderland" single here.

Hiromi’s North American tour begins tomorrow night in Vancouver, and includes two performances at Sony Hall in NYC on October 13th and 14th. She also just made her NPR Tiny Desk debut, performing two pieces featured on the new album.  NPR said “She plays with great command but yet she is also at ease, as her notes ripple from her fingertips like streams of water.”  The Tiny Desk has over 800,000 views and even rapper Action Bronson weighed in, calling it “the best Tiny Desk ever”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnISpahN2dM

Hiromi’s Sonicwonder is a quartet featuring blossoming young talents Hadrien Feraud (bass), Gene Coye (drums), and Adam O'Farrill (trumpet) and began performing live together earlier this spring.  Sonicwonderland was recorded May 25-28 at Skywalker Sound Stage in Nicasio, California, where Hiromi also recorded her 2019 solo piano album Spectrum. In addition to new works written for this project, the album includes songs that were released on her "One Minute Portrait" YouTube initiative during the pandemic and rearranged for this band.

 “Sonicwonderland,” the album’s title track, kicks off with a thumping sequenced synthesizer groove that’s more dance club than jazz club.  It’s fast-paced, fun, and unfurls into an 8-minute adventure of open space and improvisation.  While other songs feature quick tempos, funk grooves and synth work (“Trial and Error,” “Go Go”), Hiromi works gracefully on acoustic piano extensively throughout, her elegant playing and composition work shines on pieces such as “Polaris” and “Utopia.”  The closing track, “Bonus Stage,” is a lively, modern take on traditional jazz.

Hiromi is a prolific artist who has explored a number of musical spheres over the course of her career. Earlier this year she recorded the soundtrack to Blue Giant, a motion picture film based on the manga series of the same name.  2021's Silver Lining Suite features her with a string quartet and 2019's Spectrum a solo piano recording.  Her work has been celebrated by the New York Times, NPR and NPR Music, the Washington Post and beyond, and she was a featured performer at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony in 2021.  She has worked with Stanley Clark, Chick Corea, Ahmad Jamal (who produced her first album and was her mentor), and many other jazz luminaries throughout her career, is a perennial favorite on DownBeat’s Annual Critics Poll, and has performed at the world’s finest jazz festivals.  

The Sonicwonderland cover was created by Lou Beach, famous for his Weather Report album covers, not to mention Blink 182's Dude Ranch and albums by Flying Burrito Brothers, Madonna and Weird Al. 

Sonicwonderland is available on CD, as a 2-LP set (180 grams at 45 RPM) and digitally HERE. Signed CDs, vinyl and exclusive merchandise available HERE.

**Vinyl is set for release on November 10th

 TRACK LIST: 

1. Wanted
2. Sonicwonderland 
3. Polaris
4. Go Go
5. Up
6. Reminiscence (feat. Oli Rockberger)  
7. Trial and error
8. Utopia
9. Bonus stage

Follow Hiromi:

Website: http://www.hiromiuehara.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hiromifan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiromimusic/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hiromimusic

Canadian born, London-based jazz vocalist, Lauren Bush, launches her 3rd album, Tide Rises due for worldwide release on 6th October 2023 on Mighty Quinn Records.

After her first album, All My Treasures, was hailed by Downbeat Magazine as a “solid debut”, Lauren went on to become a top 5 finalist in the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition later that year. Her sophomore album, Dream Away, ended up on Bebop Spoken Here’s top 10 vocal albums of 2021 and she toured it widely around North America and the UK.

Now this album, entitled Tide Rises, is Bush’s first release on a label. With the encouragement of Mighty Quinn Records’ CEO, Jerry Roche, Lauren has delved into writing and adapting a few original ideas into new songs including a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow transformed into the title track. When sifting through endless song ideas, Roche suggested one from the synth-pop band Yazoo (Vince Clarke) entitled Only You which has become a focus track. Also included is a lesser known bossa nova by London’s beloved Earl Okin, Madrugada and a master vocalese to a classic Chet Baker tune*, Do It the Hard Way* (now entitled Happier On My Own), featuring Martin Shaw on trumpet.

Bush also wrote the lyrics to Easy Does It, a song that started out as a simple organ melody on YouTube, featuring some friends from her time in Canada, Patrick Courtin and Matt Aasen. It has been constructed into an empowering gospel anthem about not being too hard on yourself - a recurring theme of trusting your gut and being yourself, which is echoed in Nobody Else But Me and This Is Always. Other themes include growth and change, seasons and nature and the cycles we go through. With songs like Joni Mitchell’s Circle Game and Tide Rises evoking memories of childhood at the beach and Oh What a Beautiful Morning and Joy Spring offering a catchy take on nature inspired standards.

Lauren has been working with Liam Dunachie who has once again arranged all the songs and played piano. David Ingamells is at the helm on drums, Conor Chaplin provides his unparalleled talents on half the tracks and Dave Manington (who has become a staple on tour) on the other. Especially for this album, Nick Costley-White joins on guitar, sprinkling his improvised solos and emotional ambiance to 4 tracks.

Tide Rises sets Lauren’s upward trajectory, as she continues to hone her skills, choosing songs that matter and accentuate her ability to convey a lyric. With even more opportunities to hear original music from Lauren, it shows that songwriting wasn’t just a passing glance, but rather a steadfast component of her musical journey. To listen to the new album click below or get in touch with Lauren for more information.

Purchase here

Lauren Bush website here

London-based vocalist and composer Sylvia Schmidt launches her new solo project ‘Sketches of Carol’ with the release of her extraordinarily cinematic EP, ‘Messengers’.

‘Carol’ presents a symbolic encapsulation of the multi-faceted female experience; a single figure representing a diverse, often underrepresented community of women.

In homage to Sketches of Carol’s love of science fiction which she shares with her father, ‘Messengers’ pays tribute to the stunning sound worlds and effects of Ridley Scott’s ‘Blade Runner’ (1984) and the 1980’s Star Wars trilogy.

Delivering an ethereal depiction of interplanetary communication, the other-wordly three-part offering was inspired by the Golden Record, a gold-plated disk produced by NASA which contains audio intended to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth to spacefarers.

Underpinned by a lulling loop of rich, close vocal harmony, ‘Messengers’ boasts a soaring central melody shared by voice and violin that treats the listener to a showcase of Sketches of Carol’s improvisatory talent.

Expertly mixed and produced by award-winning pianist and songwriter Gonçalo Abrantes, the enchanting 7.5 minute trip-tech features layered strings from esteemed violinist William Newell (Solem Quartet).

The EP marks the first of four planned releases from the German-born artist, who takes inspiration from the magical, romantic quality of the fairy tales that she grew up watching and reading as a child. Hailing from the Silesia region, Sketches of Carol was spellbound by the folkloristic traditions, clothing, and music that accompanied her childhood.

Speaking on ‘Messengers’, **Sketches of Carol **comments:

“This project displays the most raw, pure form of my creative being. Led by my voice as an immediate instrument, rather than planning the composition of the suite, ‘Messengers’ was intuitive, borne from a wholly emotional place. In that sense, it truly carries the moment. Translating that to other people feels empowering.”

The EP’s artwork was created by Italian visual designer Giulia Cavallini, whose distinctive illustrative style will be exhibited throughout all upcoming releases from Sketches of Carol. The release will be accompanied by a music video as envisioned by the Catalonian artist and filmmaker Cadhla Kennedy (Pan Seco).

“Unique vocal soundscapes. Cinematic and surreal melodies…So captivating!”

Maria Chiara Argirò, Pianist, Composer, Producer, commenting on ‘Messengers’

"Quietly rebellious", with a “fearless approach” and “unique style”

Kevin Burke, Songlines Magazine, on Kitchman / Schmidt Duo album ‘As Long As Songbirds Sing’

“It is profound and enchanting to hear her voice, sweet as liquid gold…”

Peter Stickland, Writer & Poet

To support and find out more, please visit website here

Shaping The Invisible - Toronto-based pianist Teri Parker’s sophomore album as a bandleader - is the culmination of years of playing, composing, and artistic growth. It’s a fusion of musical heritage and innovation that places Parker squarely in the lineage of ground-breaking musicians such as Aaron Parks, Joshua Redman, Aaron Goldberg, and Fred Hersch.

The album first started to coalesce during a period of writing that Parker undertook as part of a Toronto Arts Council grant, which allowed her to lock herself up in a room for hours a day, listening to music from a wide range of artists, studying compositional methods, and writing. During this months-long process, Parker would typically start a composition at the piano, letting ideas develop organically before committing them to the page. Eventually she assembled a body of work that would become Shaping The Invisible. Following a string of performances with her band at The Rex Hotel, one of Canada’s premier jazz clubs, she decided that it was time to hit the studio.

The album begins with Becoming, a through-composed piece named for Michelle Obama’s memoir, which features a dreamy opening that gives way to an insistent straight-eighths groove. Humph, inspired in part by saxophonist Dewey Redman, sees the band playing joyfully and openly, with exceptional brushwork from Cervini. K.T.T features soaring solos from McAnsh and Deniz, before Desolate Places, a tender duet between Parker’s piano and Deniz’s soprano saxophone. Segment sees Parker boldly rearranging a classic bebop tune, with masterful solos from Deniz and Parker, and Paw Prints showcases Parker’s skills for imaginative rhythmic comping and for highly communicative soloing. Retrograde, a cover of the British producer/singer James Blake’s well-known song, is given a thoughtful, backbeat-driven treatment, before the album’s final track, the original Monk-style blues Strolling, in which the band stretches out with inspired, electric synergy.

**Shaping the Invisible **will be released worldwide on Friday, September 29th 2023. Click here

For her second Discus Music release, Charlotte has convened her regular working quartet to explore open ended versions of her compositions which form the basis of their live set. Captured with energy and clarity in the studio, here we have 50 minutes of real group interaction where the music from each player is balanced equally within the total group sound.

Charlotte writes: "Charlotte Keeffe’s Right Here, Right Now Quartet featuring Ashley John Long, Ben Handysides and Moss Freed, is a breeding ground for squelchy, sploshy, splashy Sound Brush playing - music-making! …Overtly over-blowing, splitting, splattering, squirming, squeaking and squealing out ALIVE! Howling and hooting, chomping and chaffing… Dusty, distorted, flimsy, fragile, manic, ghostly, guttural sound strokes rip through whirlwinds and whirlpools of wholesome gooey-sound-dough! A turbulent tease, staggering, swaying, abruptly plunging into intentional vagueness… A messy emporium of raw, raucous realness. Alive. Right Here, Right Now. It is as it is…"

Charlotte Keeffe - Sound Brush / trumpet, flugelhorn and compositions

Ashley John Long - double bass

Ben Handysides - drums

Moss Freed – guitar

Produced by Martin Archer

Cover painting by Gina Southgate

To purchase click here