Steven Nichols / From Dust
Release Date: 21st June 2024
CD & Digital Formats / UBU0159
Steven Nichols (Photographer: Will Dawson)
Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of trumpet player Steven Nichols, for the release of From Dust, his debut album on Ubuntu Music.
Steven describes the idea behind the project: “’From Dust’ is my debut project that has been gradually formed over the last few years. It has developed through playing and studying with the incredible musicians on the album, primarily out of the musical connections I have developed with saxophonist, Charlie Rees, and pianist, Reuben Goldmark, who have influenced my musical journey and have inspired my compositions over the last decade. The project also coincided with my journey to faith In Christ. I was inspired to write throughout this period and that journey brought ‘From Dust’ to life. The name seemed fitting to reflect a debut release and a life which have been brought ‘From Dust’, into life!”
Left to right: John Jones, Reuben Goldmark, Charles Rees, Amund Kleppan, Steven Nichols (video edit)
Steven continues, sharing his perspective of the music from the album: “The compositions were developed and brought together through a series of gigs around the UK where the quartet of Charlie, John, Reuben and I developed a sound that was captured in the recording studio the month after. Amund came in as the final piece the day before the recording. After a brief chat through the music, he brought it to life. My last instruction to him was to ‘bring some chaos’ which you can hear in tracks ‘From Dust’ and ‘Green Juice’!”
Steven describes his new relationship with Ubuntu Music: “It is a privilege to work with Martin and the team at Ubuntu whose enthusiasm and passion helped bring this project to life. The time Ubuntu gives to young, upcoming artists drew me to the label and this was perfectly embodied by the encouragement I have received throughout the project from Martin. Being part of a label that has artists including Chet Baker, Seamus Blake and a who’s who of the best of the British jazz scene is truly unbelievable.”
Steven Nichols (video edit)
Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “ I was first introduced to Steven and his music a few years back and was immediately attracted to his compositional style and his warm, infectious playing. Steven’s quintet, featuring the excellent contributions Charlie Rees (sax) and Reuben Goldmark (piano), make this a very special debut album. We are thrilled to be a part of this project and we welcome Steven with open arms into our Ubuntu Music Family.”
For further information, please contact:
Steven Nichols (Artist): StevenNicholsMusic@gmail.com
Martin Hummel/Ubuntu Music (Worldwide): martin@ubuntumanagementgroup.com
STEVEN NICHOLS BIOGRAPHY
Steven Nichols is a trumpeter, composer/arranger and educator, and recent first-class graduate of the Royal Academy of Music. Over the course of his studies, Steven has had the opportunity to perform with world-renowned artists such as Chris Potter, Dave Holland, Will Vinson, Norma Winstone and Evan Parker. During this time, he studied with many of the UK's most in-demand musicians, including Steve Fishwick, Stan Sulzmann, Mike Lovatt, Gareth Lockrane, Iain Ballamy and Nick Smart.
Steven became a student at the Junior Royal Birmingham Conservatoire at the age of nine where he studied jazz and classical trumpet with Percy Pursglove, Mike Williams and Lluis Mather for seven years. During this time, he was principal trumpet for the conservatoire's wind orchestra and symphony orchestra, performing at venues ranging from the Royal Albert Hall to Birmingham Symphony Hall and Birmingham Town Hall. Steven went on to study jazz with Iain Dixon and Steve Berry at Chetham’s School of Music for six form. During his time there, Steven had the opportunity to perform at the Bridgewater Hall, Band on the Wall and Stoller Hall.
Steven now frequently plays around the UK in venues which have included Ronnie Scott’s, the 606 Club and the Vortex jazz Club.
