Mike Chillingworth / Friday the Thirteenth
Release Date: 18th October 2024
CD & Digital Formats / UBU0174
Mike Chillingworth (Photographer: Rob Blackham)
Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the release of Friday the Thirteenth, a deeply personal album from saxophonist Mike Chillingworth, whose idiosyncratic musical experiments are shaped by the lessons he's learned from collaborating with so many inspirational musicians over recent years. The line-up consists of pianist Ivo Neame (Phronesis), bassist Tom Farmer (Empirical) and drummer Jon Scott (GoGo Penguin).
Friday the Thirteenth is the culmination of several converging influences. Over the years, Mike had the privilege of collaborating with musicians who push the rhythmic boundaries of contemporary jazz, including Ant Law, Ivo Neame, Orlando le Fleming, and Miguel Gorodi. These experiences have challenged Mike to stretch his rhythmic comfort zone, finding freedom and space to express his musical personality within the intricate confines of complex structures. Mike explains: “I've always been inspired by the dedication of musicians like John Coltrane and Steve Coleman, who chose a singular path and pursued it with unwavering focus, uncovering the infinite complexities and beauty within what might seem like a straightforward idea. In recent years, my busy life as an educator, balanced with my performance schedule, has often left me little time for deep exploration. However, an opportunity arose during a multi-day bus tour with fifty teenagers. With only headphones and an iPad for company, I began experimenting with polyrhythms. This unusual context, coupled with the abundance of time, led me to a deep fixation. I spent the week immersed in these rhythms, discovering variations and ways to internalise them. Upon returning home, these rhythms had become a part of me, compelling me to see how they could translate to the saxophone, evolve into grooves, and integrate into standards. This exploration resulted in a body of music that reflected my discoveries. Assembling a group of my favourite musicians, whom I've shared the stage with for years and deeply trust, I crafted additional pieces with them in mind. After our first performance I knew that we had found something special that deserved to be recorded. This album is the fruition of that journey.”
Ivo Neame, Jon Scott, Mike Chillingworth, Tom Farmer (Photographer: Rob Blackham)
Mike continues, describing the music from Friday the Thirteenth: “My favourite music hits the elusive sweet spot between on one side the pull towards complexity and striving for something just outside of the musicians’ comfort zone, and on the other the desire to retain a sense of fun, melody, accessibility and groove. It’s the hardest balance to strike but that’s what I’ve attempted to do with the music on this record. Tracks like ‘Friday the Thirteenth’, ‘Coach Trip Special’, and my arrangement of Steve Swallow’s tune, ‘Ladies in Mercedes’, are based on a single specific polyrhythmic idea but always keeping melody and groove front and centre and allowing the musicians in the band plenty of space to improvise and explore together. ‘Keep It Simple’ is a more straight-ahead Mingus inspired tune, ‘Narwhal’ is a slow and atmospheric Paul Motian-like ballad, reflecting my broad interests within jazz from the straight-ahead tradition to the avant-garde.”
Mike shares his thoughts concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu Music: “I am deeply excited to be working with Ubuntu Music to release this record. Over the last few years Ubuntu have released a staggering catalogue of truly world-class music from some of the top names in jazz and it’s a privilege for my music to be included in such a roster. Martin Hummel’s commitment and impact in supporting the music, the scene, and enabling musicians to get their music out into the world is second to none and I am very happy to be working with him and excited about the future.”
Mike Chillingworth (Photographer: Rob Blackham)
Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “I’ve been an admirer of Mike and his music for a number of years now. He’s a firm fixture on the London jazz scene, which is thriving. Mike’s careful and deliberate casting of his band – which includes Ivo Neame, Tom Farmer and Jon Scott – is perfect for this project as the band comfortably challenge each other, while delivering a dynamic, seamless whole. It’s a pleasure to have Mike as the newest member of the Ubuntu Music Family.”
For further information, please contact:
Mike Chillingworth (Artist): michaelchillingworth@gmail.com
Rupert Burley/Dynamic Agency (International Publicity): rupert@dynamicagency.co.uk
Martin Hummel/Ubuntu Music (Worldwide): martin@ubuntumanagementgroup.com
MIKE CHILLINGWORTH BIOGRAPHY
Mike Chillingworth is a London based saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist and composer. Consistently in demand as a performer and improviser, he regularly performs throughout the UK and internationally with his own groups and with many leading musicians at the forefront of British and European jazz.
The Mike Chillingworth Quartet features Ivo Neame (Marius Neset, Phronesis), Tom Farmer (Empirical), and Jon Scott (Sons of Kemet, GoGo Penguin, Kairos Quartet). They are releasing their debut album on the Ubuntu Music record label.
Previously as a band leader Mike released an album of original music for septet called Scratch And Sift on Two Rivers Records to critical acclaim, featuring an all-star cast of some of the top improvisers of the London jazz scene: Tom Challenger, George Crowley, Josh Arcoleo, Lewis Wright, Sam Lasserson and Jon Scott.
Mike is a long-standing member of acclaimed guitarist Ant Law’s quintet, alongside Ivo Neame, Tom Farmer and James Maddren, recording four albums and touring extensively throughout the UK and Europe, as well as performing live on BBC Radio 3 and numerous other media appearances.
Other sideman appearances and/or recordings include the Julian Siegel Jazz Orchestra, Ivo Neame Dodeka, Orlando le Fleming’s Romantic Funk, Gareth Lockrane Big Band, Josephine Davies Jazz Orchestra, Miguel Gorodi Nonet, Rick Simpson’s Klammer and In Rainbows, Troyk-estra (Kit Downes, Chris Montague and Josh Blackmore), Stan Sulzmann’s Neon Orchestra and as a member of the band Round Trip with the much celebrated and missed rising trumpet star Richard Turner who passed away in 2011. Mike has had radio play on BBC Radio 3, Radio 2, Jazz FM and other independent and local radio stations.
Alongside his creative and performing endeavours, Mike harbours a deep passion for both jazz and general music education, actively balancing a dynamic career as a dedicated educator.
