REVIEW: Copus Strikes Gold with 'Dusk'

July 3, 2020 Martin Hummel

Bebop Spoken Here’s Lance Liddle writes, “In one review I referred to him as a more exciting trumpet player than Miles. Strong words, I know, but I stand by them and listening to this latest recording only serves to reinforce my opinion.”

Ubuntu Music Signs Trumpet Sensation James Copus For Debut Album Release

February 24, 2020 Martin Hummel

JAMES COPUS

DUSK

UBU0058 / 4th September 2020

CD & Digital Formats

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of trumpet ace James Copus, for the worldwide release of his debut album, ‘Dusk’, on 4th September 2020.

James is an award-winning musician who is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most exciting trumpet players anywhere on the jazz scene. Having grown up in a musical household, James took to music at an early age and started playing trumpet at the age of eight years old. He attended the junior Jazz course at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music before going on to study there full-time and graduated with first class honours. During his time at the Academy, he became a proud recipient of the distinguished Derek Watkins award.

James studied with the likes of Till Bronner, Gerard Presencer, Alex Sipiagin and Steve Fishwick and cites all four as major influences on his playing. James has had the privilege of recording and playing with some of the world’s most established musicians including Jacob Collier, Stan Sulzmann, Ashley Henry, Tommy Smith, Curtis Stigers, Gareth Lockrane, Laurence Cottle, Clark Tracey and many more.

James Copus

“Think of all the qualities that make a great trumpeter: a full brassy tone, dazzling runs and immaculate articulation, a range that sends the high notes soaring into the stratosphere, imagination and sensitivity … James has all these and more.”

--The Jazzmann

As a session musician and commercial trumpet player, James has played and recorded with the likes of Joss Stone, Olly Murs, Pixie Lott, Louisa Johnson, Gregory Porter, James Bay, Basement Jaxx, The Riverdance Company, The London Concert Orchestra (LCO), English Session Orchestra (ESO), Manchester Cameratta, The BBC Big Band, The Guy Barker Big Band and the John Wilson Orchestra. Most recently, James was a special guest on Jacob Collier’s latest album, ‘Djesse Vol. 3’. With these various outfits, James has played at venues such as Wembley Stadium, The Royal Albert Hall, The Barbican and Abbey Road Studios. He can also be frequently found playing in London’s West End.

For his debut album, ‘Dusk’, James pulled together some of his favourite musicians for his Quartet, for which he composed and arranged original music. Tom Cawley is featured on piano and keys, with the forever in-demand Conor Chaplin on bass. NYC drum powerhouse Jason Brown rounds off the extraordinary ensemble.

As James explains it, “I am really excited to release the music I have been working on for the past few years. It was written with Tom (Cawley), Conor (Chaplin) and Jason (Brown) in mind and I knew I wanted to play with the very best. The music combines my predilection for the Blue Note era, along with my taste for more contemporary sounds. Jason has played with many of the musicians I have been influenced by (Kurt Rosenwinkel, Cedar Walton, Nicholas Payton, Seamus Blake) so it was truly a dream come true to have him on the record.”

From Left to Right: Tom Cawley, Conor Chaplin, James Copus, Jason Brown.

Concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu Music, James elaborates: “I met Martin (Hummel) a few years ago now and am very excited to finally be working with him as he’s shown a passion for my music from the very beginning that I haven’t found anywhere else. Ubuntu has a roster of artists--from Chet Baker and Harold Mabern, to Seamus Blake, Paul Booth and Tom Cawley--which made me feel right at home. I’m really happy to join the Label and to be a part of something very exciting in jazz today.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, describes the Label’s latest signing: “I have been following James for some time. I know just how amazing this guy really is and wanted James to be on our thriving Label. James did the right thing…he took his time to determine where he would get the focus and attention he wanted and deserved, and where he would feel the most comfortable. Thankfully, James chose our Ubuntu Music Family and we have welcomed him with open arms. This is a major signing for us and we expect great things from this new relationship.”

For further information, please contact:

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

Emma Perry/UK Publicity: emmasarahperry@gmail.com

Ubuntu Music Announces Collaboration with Paul Booth: 'Secret Sessions'

February 3, 2020 Martin Hummel

Secret Sessions Presents

Fragile Eagle

UBU0054 / 14th February 2020

Digital Streaming & Download Formats

UBU0054_Fragile Eagle_Digital Cover_FINAL.jpg

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce its collaboration with sax titan Paul Booth on a new project series, Secret Sessions. The first album in the series, ‘Fragile Eagle’, will be released in digital formats on Friday, 14th February.

Paul Booth is a highly accomplished tenor sax player, well known for his work with many contemporary artists, including Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, The Eagles and Santana.

Paul has curated a new project, ‘Secret Sessions’, which is an outlet for new music that is created, played and ultimately recorded by grouping like-minded artists and friends together. It works like this…Paul carefully selects a range of highly talented musicians who turn up to the recording studio, only knowing the instrumentation of the music but not knowing who they will be recording with. The result is a dynamic cocktail of spontaneous, exciting and highly rewarding music.

As Paul explains it, “Back in January 2019, a time of year when I tend to reflect on the previous year and how I would like to make changes in the new year, it dawned on me that the balance of making music for music’s sake against being paid to play music wasn’t where I’d like it to be. This is naturally the normal way for most musicians and I’m fine with that dynamic, for the most part. However, I wanted to make more of an effort to play new music with the vast array of outstanding talent I have been privileged to work with and become friends with over the last 25 years. So many times as side men we say, ‘hey man, we should get together and play sometime’ and then, it never happens for a variety of ‘life’ reasons.

Trevor Mires, Steve Fishwick, Paul Booth

“I decided for my own personal development as a musician and composer that I needed to do something about this, so I went ahead a booked a day in a local studio first then went ahead and sent out an email to a long list pitching this idea:

I’m really into making more music this year with my all-time favourite UK based musicians around….you lot!!! The idea is to explore playing more improvised music and document this with a recording. We then decide what do with it later and whose name it goes out under, etc.’

“I also added that I was willing to invest in each of the sessions by paying the studio costs upfront until we know what we have and how we want to move forward. As I mentioned already, this was a chance for me to play with and learn from these master musicians, shedding their music, practicing in the lead up to the session and also getting to write for the specific musicians involved.

“The response was staggering and proved just how passionate everyone is about making new music. The humorous fact is I could have created a big band for that very first session but sadly I had to cut things down to something more manageable, this being the project’s maiden voyage. I sifted through the people available and picked a six-piece utilising trumpet/trombone/tenor sax/piano/acoustic bass/drums. It dawned on me that, on booking the individuals, it could be fun to keep them in the dark about who they were going to be recording with on the day…and ‘Secret Sessions’ was born. The only information they had was instrumentation, to aid them in their arrangements and what time and where they needed to be. The result is our first creation, ‘Fragile Eagle’, and we are absolutely delighted with the debut.

“On a personal note I feel privileged and thankful that Martin Hummel (Ubuntu) and Paul Pace (Spice of Life) jumped onboard this project with such fire and enthusiasm. This means a lot to each of these sessions as there is an outlet not only for our recorded music but also to play live.”

‘Fragile Eagle’ is the first release in the ‘Secret Sessions’ series and was recorded in 2019. The band consists of:

Steve Fishwick - trumpet/flugelhorn

Trevor Mires - trombone/bass trumpet

Paul Booth - tenor sax

Tom Cawley - piano

Oli Hayhurst - bass

Dave Ingamells - drums

‘Fragile Eagle’ will be available in digital streaming and download formats as of Friday, 14th February.

The band will be performing a limited number of live performances, beginning with London’s Spice of Life on Wednesday, 19th February.

Paul Pace, Promoter of Spice of Life, shared his thoughts, saying, “Experiencing an exceptional musician such as Paul at close quarters in an intimate space and within a high-calibre ensemble has for me been one of the most invigorating musical experiences of the past 15 or so years. For this ongoing project, Paul has gathered a collective of top musicians who happen to be close friends and in happy collaboration with the now well-established jazz/world music label Ubuntu, bring something quite fresh and exciting to the scene via the ‘Secret Sessions’ series. It will certainly be the real deal – come and be part of this soul-enriching journey!"

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, sums up the project by saying, “The Secret Sessions project series encapsulates what great jazz is all about. First class musicians, brought together in a studio to let it rip with energy and flair. There’s no place to hide on the recording, which brought out the best in their playing. Paul Booth did a brilliant job with making this happen. Spice of life’s Paul Pace kindly granted the project an ongoing platform to share the live music. We expect many more successful sessions to come.”

For further information, please contact:

Ubuntu Music (record label): Martin Hummel (martin@weareubuntumusic.com)

Spice of Life: Tickets for 19th February: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/495255#tickets

Tom Cawley: Five Albums I Couldn't Live Without

August 1, 2019 Martin Hummel

The pianist and composer selects the recordings he can’t live without, in this month’s Jazzwise Magazine’s ‘Take 5’.

For the full article, please click on the image, above.

Cawley’s Catenaccio Kick Into Gear At London's Spice Of Life

July 25, 2019 Martin Hummel

Jazzwise’s John Fordham writes, “Catenaccio’s energies and improv powers are more excitingly apparent on a live show.”

For the full review, please click on the image, above.

Ronnie Scott's Radio Show Showcases Ubuntu Music Artists

July 20, 2019 Martin Hummel

Presenter Ian Shaw features a broad range Ubuntu artists, and praises Martin Hummel’s passion for his artists and the Label. Featured Ubuntu Music artists include Mark Kavuma, Andrew McCormack, Tom Cawley, Quentin Collins & Brandon Allen, Leo Richardson, Miguel Gorodi, Eric Alexander & Harold Mabern and others.

To hear the two hour program showcasing Ubuntu Music artists, please click on any of the images, above.

REVIEW: Tom Cawley - Catenaccio

June 21, 2019 Martin Hummel

jazz Journal’s Elliot Marlow-Stevens writes, “Catenaccio is incredibly fresh, and anyone interested in both the classic and contemporary will enjoy this album as it mixes both expertly. The musicianship is fantastic and the result is a wholly original and captivating recording.”