London Jazz News’ Tony Dudley-Evans writes, “This is an enjoyable album…it is well played by five accomplished musicians.”
Ubuntu Music Signs Sax Man Chris Maddock For EP Release
Chris Maddock / The Hunt
15th October 2021
CD & Digital Formats
UBU0087
Chris Maddock (Photographer Jonathan Chandra Oh)
Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of composer/sax player Chris Maddock for the album release, The Hunt, in a burning quartet line-up.
The project features a contemporary, groovy take on the classic Hammond organ trio line-up, augmented by saxophone. The music is inspired by the recent output of artists such as Larry Goldings and Joey DeFrancesco with similar line-ups, whilst also drawing on the influence of contemporary saxophone masters such as Jon Irabagon and Seamus Blake. The band includes some of London's finest young musicians - Liam Dunachie on organ, Tobie Carpenter on guitar, drummer Ed Richardson and a special guest appearance from Daniel Casimir on double bass.
Left to right: Liam Dunachie, Chris Maddock, Ed Richardson, Tobie Carpenter (Jonathan Chandra Oh Photographer)
Chris is a saxophonist based in London, England. Under normal circumstances he performs regularly at many of the leading jazz venues in the UK and internationally with his own projects and as a sideman and is an active figure in the vibrant London Jazz scene. Chris studied first at the Trinity College of Music Junior Department before enrolling in Birmingham Conservatoire's prestigious jazz course, where he studied under the tutelage of many of the most respected jazz musicians in the UK, and won the Mike Gibbs/BBC big band composition & arranging prize. After graduating, he was subsequently awarded the Yamaha scholarship for outstanding jazz musicians and was a finalist in the Worshipful Company of Musicians young jazz Musician of the year competition. He has been an in-demand player in many different contexts, including recording/performing with the Clark Tracey Quintet + Hexad, Young pilgrims, Tom Dunnett Sextet, Omar Kamal, Emma Smith, Hailey Tuck, Jonathan Silk Big band, Hackney Colliery Band, Toby Boalch Sextet and many others.
Chris describes the story behind The Hunt:” I've always been a huge fan of ensembles centred around the Hammond organ - it allows the band to achieve a huge breadth of sound, and a very different texture to the classic piano and bass combo. Two albums which I really loved (and still do!), when I was discovering jazz as a teenager were Back at the Chicken Shack by Jimmy Smith, and Time is of the Essence by Michael Brecker. The former was much more laid back and bluesy, and the latter a more modern, sophisticated take on the line-up. With this band I'm trying to explore the potential for different expressive colours and approaches with the Hammond at the centre but trying to never lose sight of that bluesy grooviness that saturates those first albums I heard with this line-up. I had each of the guys in the band in mind when I put these tunes together, we gigged them for a while, and they knocked it out of the park when it came to the recording session - I can't wait to get it out there!”
Left to right: Tobie Carpenter, Ed Richardson, Liam Dunachie, Chris Maddock (Jonathan Chandra Oh Photographer)
Chris elaborates further on his new signing with Ubuntu Music: “I'm hugely excited to be involved with Ubuntu music for my debut release. Many of my favourite musicians and friends on the UK scene have released some absolutely killer music through the label recently, and I'm honoured to be included alongside such an exciting array of talent.”
Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, shares his thoughts: “Chris and his music are a delightful discovery. Having a classic Hammond organ trio, enhanced by a seamless sax overlay, makes for some excellent listening pleasure. We’re delighted to have Chris and the band on board with Ubuntu Music.”
For further information, please contact:
Chris Maddock (Artist): info@chrismaddock.co.uk
Emma Perry (UK Radio Publicity): emmasarahperry@gmail.com
Martin Hummel/Ubuntu Music (Worldwide): martin@ubuntumanagementgroup.com
REVIEW: Leo Richardson Quartet - Live stream from Ronnie Scott's - Sept. 10
Bebop Spoken Here’s Lance Liddle writes, “Possibly the best live stream I've watched yet - from anywhere!”
Leo Richardson (tenor sax); Rick Simpson (piano); Tim Thornton (bass); Ed Richardson (drums).
Never has the expression hitting the deck running been more apt than tonight at Ronnie's. The band powered in with such force that they must surely have cut a rut across the stage. Well, maybe not a rut but certainly a groove and this was just the opener!
It was a breathtaking start and one which didn't let up from start to finish apart from a couple of delightful ballads one of which, Elisha's Song, dedicated to Leo's niece almost brought tears to my eyes, such was the emotions conveyed.
All of the numbers, apart from a dedication to Michael Brecker (Michael), were from the band's first two albums which mean't they came to me with a degree of familiarity which most certainly didn't breed contempt!
Quite the opposite! Hearing them live gave that little bit extra insight. Leo is an absolute powerhouse on tenor. There are a lot of great tenor players on the scene these days and Richardson can lock horns and hold his head up high alongside the best of them.
On piano, Rick Simpson laid down the groundwork for a blue plaque in his home town of Guisborough with solos that matched the leader's intensity - he was burnin'.
Tim Thornton didn't often put his head above the parapet but when he did it was to deliver a masterclass in jazz bass.
Ed Richardson may not be Leo's brother but jazz wise he could well be. His no holds barred solo on the Brecker tribute was equalled only by Leo's fiery solo on the same tune.
This was a night to remember and not just for the fireworks and the mouthwatering references to the exotic Espresso Martini that seemed to be the drink of the day - one of Leo's originals was actually called Martini Shuffle - Enrico's this wasn't!
Possibly the best live stream I've watched yet - from anywhere!
Lance
Leo Richardson's Album launch Show Chosen as one of the Gigs of The Year!
Bebop Spoken Here’s Lance Liddle gives the tenor sax man a big thumbs-up!
REVIEW: Leo Richardson 'Move'
Jazz journal’s Dave Gelly writes, “Now here comes the follow-up and the approach has broadened to include modal and even free elements, but there’s the same clarity of phrase and grasp of form, not to mention phenomenal technique.”
For the full review, please click on the image, above.
Leo Smashes It in SJM!
Eddie Myer writes, “Richardson amazes again and again with his accuracy, command of language and sheer chutzpah.”
★★★★★Five Star Double Whammy for Ubuntu Music Artists in BBC Music Magazine!★★★★★
Leo Richardson and Quentin Collins clean up in October’s issue!
BBC Music magazine Loves Leo & Co!
Barry Witherden writes, “Combining speed and accuracy, they play the hardest of hard-bop.”
Sandy Brown Jazz is Loving Leo & 'Move'!
Howard Lawes writes, “Whether Move is hard bop, bebop or some other kind of bop is really immaterial, this is just great modern jazz that establishes Leo Richardson as a jazz musician of the highest order and is a fitting tribute to the great musicians that have been his inspiration.”
For the full article, please click on the image, above.
Jazz in Europe Selects Leo Richardson's 'Move' as Best of Summer Releases !
Erminia Yardley writes, “It is a definitive 5 stars mark for “Move” from me!”
For the full article, please click on the image, above.
We come to the most recent release, on the 9th August: “Move” (Ubuntu Music) is the new album by the Leo Richardson Quartet. Richardson returns after the huge success of his debut album “The Chase”, this time with the talents of Rick Simpson on piano, Tim Thornton on bass and Ed Richardson on drums featuring also Alex Garnett as a special guest on tenor sax. Ubuntu Music has now released both Richardson’s albums and has steadily become a label with a huge amount of talent under one roof! So with “Move”, Richardson et al steer onto an even faster journey, there is still the big hard bop element, but the composition has evolved even more and it is better, we only have to listen to the title track, for example, there are stunning layers of innovation there.
I also love “Martini Shuffle” with its exuberant vibe reminds of Soho in the ‘50s every single time I listen to it. Whilst “Peace” is melodious and perfectly slows down to a lower gear. It is a definitive 5 stars mark for “Move” from me!
As you reach the end of this article, you will by now, realize the enormous mélange of diversity and creative talents that all this music represents. The beauty and challenge for a writer like me is just this: to find these creations and make them visible to the whole world. I loved writing about these artists and I feel privileged to be able to be given access to their music well before anyone else can. It is exciting and magical at the same time.
On the inner sleeve of Leo Richardson’s album, there is a quote from another one of my heroes which really says it all…
“Music washes away the dust of everyday life” – Art Blakey