Ubuntu Music Signs Guitarist Tom Ollendorff for Solo EP Release

Tom Ollendorff / Solo Volume 1

Release Date: 29th March 2024

Digital Format / UBU0168

Tom Ollendorff (Photographer: John Kye)

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of guitarist Tom Ollendorff, for the release of Solo Volume 1, his first album on Ubuntu Music.

Tom explains: “This EP was recorded on the afternoon of August 30th 2023 in St John’s Notting Hill in London. I have for some time wanted to record some solo guitar music and the inspiring surroundings and wonderful acoustics of the church helped me to relax and get into a suitable mindset for the recording. The natural resonance of the space meant that we could use a blend of the acoustic sound of my wonderful Moffa guitar with a clean amplifier tone, and the natural reverb in the church did the rest of the heavy lifting.”

Tom Ollendorff (Photographer: Dave Hamblett)

Tom continues: “Like with all my previous albums to date, I had the pleasure of working with the great Alex Kilpatrick, whose skill at capturing, mixing and mastering sound is second to none.

I would also like to thank cinematographer John Kye, for filming the whole recording so beautifully.”

Tom Ollendorff recording at St John’s Notting Hill, London (Photographer: John Kye)

Tom shares a parting comment on Ubuntu Music: “Thank you to Martin Hummel at Ubuntu Music for his enthusiasm and encouragement with this project.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “It was a wonderful surprise and absolute delight that Tom wanted to release his first solo album on Ubuntu Music. The project and the music fit so comfortably within our repertoire, while listeners will be seduced by Tom’s delicate touch. It’s a truly beautiful project.”

For further information, please contact:

Tom Ollendorff (Artist):  tomollendorffmusic@gmail.com

Martin Hummel/Ubuntu Music (Worldwide):  martin@ubuntumanagementgroup.com

Tom Ollendorff (Photographer: Dave Hamblett)

BIOGRAPHY

Born in London in 1992, Tom Ollendorff is fast becoming one of the best-known young guitarists to emerge on the international jazz scene. A graduate from the Royal Welsh College of Music in Cardiff, he was awarded the Yamaha Parliamentary Jazz Scholarship in 2015 before moving to London in 2016 to begin a career as professional musician.

In 2021 his debut album A Song For You was released on Fresh Sound Records and received international acclaim with The Guardian describing it as ‘traditional but very classy, Música Jazz saying it is a ‘highly recommended album for those who care about the fate of jazz guitar’ and both BBC Music Magazine and Jazz Journal awarding it 4 star reviews.

The album’s release launched an international touring career that has seen Tom perform at many of Europe’s best known Jazz clubs including Ronnie Scott’s, Sunset-Sunside, Jamboree, Jimmy Glass, Jazz-Hus Montmartre, Nardis, Budapest Jazz Club, Jazz in Bess, Jazz Club Ferrara and countless others as well as performances at notable venues and festivals including Glastonbury Festival, The Cedars Hall, London Jazz Festival, Brecon Jazz Festival and the One Day Jazz Festival in Slovakia.

His latest album Open House was released in May 2023 and sees a continuation of his work with his trio with long-term trio featuring Marc Michel on drums and Conor Chaplin on bass, with the addition of the critically acclaimed saxophonist Ben Wendel on four tracks. The recent release has received global recognition and has seen Tom continue to build his international reputation and following.

Alongside his work as a bandleader, Tom has been fortunate to work extensively as a sideman with a wide range of artists including Ari Hoenig, Bill McHenry, Geoff Simkins, Huw Warren, Tim Garland, Nitai Hershkovits and The Fresh Sound Ensemble

Tom is known for his highly distinctive sound which blends virtuosic technique, sophisticated harmonic concepts with nuance and sensitivity. His innovative and distinctive approach to the guitar has led to Tom building a following in the broader guitar community and in 2022 he published his first works for solo guitar with Faber Music. The book, titled ‘Etudes’ has been sold across Europe, Asia, Australasia, and North America.

Tom is currently a visiting tutor at the Royal Welsh College of Music and has been a guest tutor at many top institutions internationally including The Guildhall, Nanjing University, Istanbul Bachesir University and Leeds College of Music.

Ubuntu Music Signs Trumpet Player Dan Coulthurst for Debut Album Release

Dan Coulthurst / Babyteeth

Release Date: 5th April 2024

CD & Digital Formats / UBU0163

Dan Coulthurst (Photographer: Gareth Howell)

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of trumpet player Dan Coulthurst, for the release of Babyteeth, his debut album on Ubuntu Music.

Dan describes the project and the idea behind it: “I came up with the name Babyteeth by thinking about how our physical bodies naturally change over time. Whereas typically, we tend to neglect the need for our mindsets to change. Often, we hold on to things from the past that predetermine our present day. Baby teeth are essential when you are a child. You are smaller so they fit perfectly in your mouth, and you have no need to cut through solid foods that your body is unable to digest. However, as your body physically changes, you outgrow the need for smaller weaker teeth, as they would simply break when attempting to eat more robust food. This cycle of intense pain would result in the body not being able to get the nourishment that it needs to survive. The same goes for our mental well-being. By engaging in a lifestyle that dulls your perceptions of your surroundings and by ignoring the opportunity for discovery and growth, you deprive your mind of the goodness that it needs to live a fulfilling life. The situations will change but the cycle of pain will continue. Instead, by surrounding yourself with people that challenge the way you see the world, by prioritising the things that fill you with joy and give your life meaning and by being connected to others whilst allowing yourself to be open to new ideas, I’ve found that this the path to giving your soul the nourishment that it craves. As I have grown older, I feel incredibly excited by the prospect of a new challenging situation as I know that it is an opportunity to grow and to learn new things about myself and the world. This album is about the difficult and beautiful journey of letting go of the past and embracing the uncertainty that comes with the future.”

Left to right: Matt Jacobs, Alasdair Pennington, Fergus Quill, Dan Coulthurst, James Romaine, Rianna Henriques, Lydia Kotseria (Photographer: Sophie Jouvenar)

Dan continues, sharing his perspective of the music: “I find that I write my best music when I allow myself to be inspired by the beauty of consuming art in its varying forms, from Pablo Neruda’s ‘Ode to a beautiful nude’, to Jean Michel Basquiat’s ‘Untitled’ to Vaslav Nijinsky’s choreography for ‘Rite of Spring’. During the start of my creative process for ‘Babyteeth’, I wanted to create a sound world that have the colours of a Debussy suite combined with the raw punk aesthetic of Nirvana. Yet it was writing poetry that galvanised my need to create this body of work. All the music has been inspired by poems that I have written or by poets that I chose to immerse myself in. The album opens by starting down a dark path of dissolution with ‘Babyteeth’ and ‘What we were, now we are not’. I then chose to switch up the band and change ensemble instruments with each piece, allowing the mood of the album to shift dramatically before gradually getting lighter towards a euphoric and content conclusion with ‘Home’ and the final piece ‘Love Will Return’. In ‘Home’, I reference a number of songs from the record, aiming to create a rounded conclusion to the narrative of the album. By using poetry and lyrics in these last two pieces, I wanted to have one final push at stating the message of the album and the meaning of what it is that I’m trying to covey. It is my hope that you enjoy listening to this music as much as I enjoyed making it.”

Dan Coulthurst (Unknown Photographer)

Dan describes his new relationship with Ubuntu Music: “It is an absolute honour to be a part of the Ubuntu Family. I have been huge fan of many artists on their roster for a number of years and to now be a part of the community and involved in their creative practices is incredibly exciting and a dream come true.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “I was first introduced to Dan by Steve Fishwick, a phenomenal British trumpet player who obviously knows his stuff. Steve mentored Dan, rated him highly and asked if I’d be interested in meeting him. I believe you call this ‘an offer you cannot refuse.’ Soon after connecting with Dan and hearing early versions of his project, I was convinced…Dan should join our Ubuntu Music Family. And I’m so very glad he did. This is a deep, powerful debut release and we expect that it will strike a responsive chord to all who listen.”

For further information, please contact:

Dan Coulthurst (Artist):  dcoulthurst9@gmail.com

Martin Hummel/Ubuntu Music (Worldwide):  martin@ubuntumanagementgroup.com

Dan Coulthurst (Photographer: Sophie Jouvenar)

DAN COULTHURST BIOGRAPHY

Birmingham raised trumpet player and composer Dan Coulthurst is one of the young rising stars of the British music scene. Born into a musical family, Dan quickly found his passion for the subject and wasted no time in getting involved in the thriving Birmingham music scene.

Since graduating from Leeds College of Music in 2018, Dan has performed with internationally acclaimed artists such as Jean Toussaint, Hermeto Pascal and Nikki Iles. Now based in London, some gig highlights include performing with the Ronnie Scott’s Big Band, Simon Spillet Big Band, China Moses, Blue Lab Beats and TC and the Groove Family. Dan has also released two EPs as part of nu-soul band Mamilah.

Babyteeth is Dan’s debut album and explores themes of love, racism, anxiety and self-acceptance.

The album will be released on the Ubuntu Music record label from 5th April 2024.

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Ubuntu Music Signs Pianist/Composer/Arranger Simon Lasky for Album Release

Simon Lasky Group / For the Dreamers

Release Date: 22nd March 2024

CD & Digital Formats / UBU0158

Simon Lasky (Photographer: Jayne Drooger)

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of pianist/composer/arranger Simon Lasky, for the release of For the Dreamers on Ubuntu Music. The release date is 22nd March 2024.

Simon’s latest project features his recently formed U.S. Jazz Octet with three front line horns and vocals. There are special guest appearances by leading U.K. jazz artists, including Tim Garland and Paul Booth and, for the first time, Simon’s arrangements appear alongside his original compositions.

Simon explains his thinking behind For the Dreamers: “I think that, deep down, I always knew (hoped!) that I would spend some time in America one day; form a band there; do some concerts; and record an album. My only surprise is that it took me until my mid-forties to do it! I wanted to harness my love for many genres of American music, utilise local American musicians and compose music for that particularly confident way they have of playing. This is the resulting album!

“However, most of the compositions and arrangements on this record were penned during a very challenging time: I had some major health problems (which resulted in double jaw surgery), I lost my father, and - like so many of my colleagues during the global pandemic - there were times I doubted how, when and where we would make music again. Yet, throughout that time, music was there as a companion, a comfort, and a source of hope. When I was composing the music on this record, I was transported away from those challenging daily realities. Composing helps me dream! So, despite the challenging circumstances of its inception, the music on this record is unfailingly optimistic. It explores notions of heroism, flight, fancy and dreaming. And it's the 'American' record I always dreamed I would make!”

Simon Lasky (Photographer: Jayne Drooger)

Regarding the music itself, Simon shares his perspective: “The music on this album represents many firsts for me, in my recording career so far: It’s the first music I've released since winning the 2018 British Composer Award (now Ivors Composer Awards) in the Jazz Composition for Small Ensemble category for 'Close to Ecstasy'. It's the first time I have recorded and released some of my arrangements, which appear alongside my own compositions. It's the first time I've recorded with a full horn section. And it's the first time I've recorded with vocals. The album is based around my core rhythm section of some of the finest players from the Tampa Bay jazz scene (Elias Tona - bass/Peter Mongaya - guitar/Jonathan Thomas - drums). They have a punchy and strident way of playing, and I have written with those strengths in mind. I wanted to feature horn players from both sides of the pond and, on ‘Closer to The Sky’, I have fulfilled a 25-year-old ambition of recording with a childhood hero and one of my favourite musicians (saxophonist, Tim Garland).

“I am particularly attracted to the idea of making a relatively small ensemble (the Octet on this record) sound as big and symphonic as possible. Weather Report and the Pat Metheny Group come to mind as obvious models for that 'epic' sound from small forces. And, as is always the case, my charts are through-composed, driven by a strong compositional narrative and I hope to take the listener on a journey. Maybe they can dream too!”

Left to right: Simon Lasky, Peter Mongaya, Ona K, Jonathan Thomas, Jack Wilkins, James Suggs, Elias Tona, Aaron West (Photographer: Jayne Drooger)

Concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu Music, Simon elaborates: “I have known Martin (Hummel) for a number of years and I know how highly my friends and colleagues in the jazz world regard him. Martin is on the side of the musician. And in the current, increasingly complex, musical landscape - which is daunting and bewildering to many independent artists - having Ubuntu Music in your corner, fighting for and with you, is immensely valuable. I am thrilled that my new album is with Ubuntu and I am excited about developing this relationship moving forward.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “Simon is an artist of multiple strengths – composing, arranging and performing as a pianist – who also seems equally at ease on both sides of the pond – the US and his native UK. We were excited with the opportunity to partner with Simon with his latest project, ‘For the Dreamers’, which highlights Simon’s development as an evolving artist, while venturing into new territory. It’s a celebration of the good things in life and we are delighted that Simon brings this to the Ubuntu Music Family.”

For further information, please contact:

Simon Lasky (Artist):  simon_lasky@yahoo.co.uk

Lisa Reedy/Lisa Reedy Promotions (USA):  lisareedy0@gmail.com

Martin Hummel/Ubuntu Music (Worldwide):  martin@ubuntumanagementgroup.com

SIMON LASKY BIOGRAPHY

Simon Lasky (Photographer: Jayne Drooger)

British composer/pianist, Simon Lasky, is known on both sides of the Atlantic for his expansive and melodic jazz compositions and arrangements which draw on his background as an improvising pianist and classically trained composer. Born in London, but now living in Central Florida, Simon’s composition ‘Close To Ecstasy’ won the 2018 Ivors Composer Award in the ‘Jazz Composition for Small Ensemble’ category. Upon receiving the award, BBC Radio 3 presenter Andrew McGregor described the winning composition as “a joyous exuberant piece, brilliantly crafted on all levels, and with great textural and melodic writing.” In 2019 Simon was awarded a Fellowship to complete his Masters in Jazz Studies at The University of South Florida, working as assistant to five time GRAMMY nominated jazz composer Chuck Owen.

“Lasky’s music is atmospheric, melodic, airy, thoughtful and often influenced by the Pat Metheny Group without being too derivative.”

--Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Scene

“There are certainly plenty of moments, in ‘About the Moment’ that take your breath away.”

—Rob Mallows, London Jazz News

As a recording artist, Simon signed with independent British jazz label – ‘33Jazz’ Records – in 2015, releasing two albums of his own compositions under the Simon Lasky Group banner. His music has been broadcast extensively on BBC Radio and JazzFM in the U.K and on NPR and the CBC in North America, and his compositions for the concert platform have been performed in London’s Barbican Hall, South Bank Centre and St John’s Smith Square. Simon’s arrangement of ‘Over The Rainbow’ for string quartet was performed by The Afiara Quartet in London’s Wigmore Hall in 2015, and subsequently in 15 countries across the globe

An in-demand member of the London jazz scene for 15 years, Simon taught jazz piano, composition, harmony and General Musicianship at Trinity College of Music (now Trinity Laban) in London from 2005-2018. He was Head of Jazz at Bradfield College during the same period. He currently lives in Tampa, FL working as a pianist and band leader on the Central FL jazz scene and as an NPR jazz host 3 nights a week on WUSF 89.7FM.

Following awards to partake in the Winter Residency Programme at The Banff Centre in Canada in 2013 and 2014, Simon developed his unique ‘It’s All Music’ educational concept which he has presented to both specialist and non-specialist audiences in Canada and throughout the U.K.

During the 2020 lockdown Simon developed his ‘At Home With’ interview series, presenting in-depth conversations with some of the world’s leading jazz artists, including Vince Mendoza, John McLaughlin, Bob James, Joe Locke, Billy Childs and others. The interviews are all available on YouTube.

In 2023, Simon signed with Ubuntu Music, the London-based progressive jazz record label, for the release of For the Dreamers, his latest project.

“Uplifting improvisational grooves, classy chops, and exotic percussions, there’s no shortage of beautifully striking moments.…”

—All About Jazz (‘About the Moment’ album review)

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