REVIEW: Mattan Klein

February 5, 2023 Martin Hummel

Israeli musician brings its jazz to the heart of Europe.

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

Jeff Beck, Guitarist With a Chapter in Rock History, Dies at 78

February 5, 2023 Martin Hummel

His playing with the Yardbirds and as leader of his own bands brought a sense of adventure to their groundbreaking recordings.

REVIEW: O'Higgins & Luft

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Jazz Views’ Chris baber writes, “It is a particular joy to hear the blend of talent on this set.”

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Selwyn Harris gives the album an excellent review.

Ubuntu Music Signs Sharp Little Bones ft. Tony Kofi For Debut Release

January 30, 2023 Martin Hummel

Sharp Little Bones / Volumes I & II

Release Date: 12th May 2023

CD, Digital & Vinyl Formats / UBU0138

Left to right: Andrew Wood, Tony Kofi, Simon Paterson, Paul Deats (Photographer: Martin Makowski)

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of the Nottingham-based trio, Sharp Little Bones, featuring saxophonist Tony Kofi, for the release of their blockbuster debut album, Volumes I & II, on 12th May 2023.

Simon Paterson (basses), Paul Deats (keyboards) and Andrew Wood (drums) are the core trio and are joined by MOBO-nominated, multi-BBC Jazz and Parliamentary Jazz Awards winner Tony Kofi. Together, they perform brand-new compositions that are tight, energetic, catchy, and melodic. Their sound has fresh, contemporary appeal: live acoustic forces rooted in bebop and blues, embellished with tasteful electronics and warm, analogue synth textures.

Sharp Little Bones (Volumes I & II) was recorded high on the buzz from their sell-out shows and during the hottest two days of summer 2022 at Metronome, Nottingham. The double album of entirely new, exciting music captures the energy, virtuosity, and soul of the house trio of Peggy's Skylight (a multi-award-winning jazz venue). Throughout the album, the compositions reach deep within and far outside the jazz canon. There are catchy, energetic tracks, beautiful bass-led melodies, spacious ballads, spiritual and expansive atmospheres, hard swingers, and groove-led pieces full of vibe. Within well-crafted, melodic writing and tight, rhythmical arrangements there’s freedom for expressive solos and group-led improvisation.

Left to right: Andrew Wood, Paul Deats, Tony Kofi, Simon Paterson (Photographer: Martin Makowski)

Simon Paterson explains: "We hunkered down and hit the ground, recording a double album in just nine hours. We were having such a blast, really listening to, reacting to, inspiring each other, and having meaningful musical conversations. Everything sounded so great in the studio, we just let it rip, track after track, so what you're hearing is all live and mostly single takes. I'm super excited to get this album, and our live show, out there in 2023."

Simon continues, sharing his background as a musician: “I've been a professional electric and upright bassist for some years but didn't follow the traditional path into jazz performance. As an undergraduate, I majored in classical music composition before studying sound engineering and production. I've written music for TV, adverts, short films, plays, cartoons, and songs for many years. I love melody, and I knew the music I wanted to write and perform had to be melodic, accessible, and soulful. After all, these were the things that attracted me to jazz in the first place. I'm also a music technologist, so I'm interested in exploring ways to use technology to enhance musical performances and connect to audiences in subtle but innovative ways.

“We love playing standards, and it's a privilege to help keep that tradition alive. Still, to be playing to audiences who really enjoy the experience of hearing new music has been a dream and an inspiration.

Left to right: Paul Deats, Simon Paterson, Tony Kofi, Andrew Wood (Photographer: Martin Makowski)

“I am indebted to Paul Deats (piano, electric piano and synth) and Andrew Wood (drums), with whom I've played for years. We're the house band at Peggy's Skylight in Nottingham so we've played with some amazing musicians over the years. It was a no-brainer hooking up with these guys for this project. We play together so intuitively and arranging these new pieces together has been such a pleasure.

“I first played with Tony Kofi at a jam in Nottingham, just as I was starting out as a bassist. I don't remember what we played, and I dread to think about where my jazz chops were at that time. Still, I'll never forget the vibe: it was palpable, and I've been chasing that feeling ever since.

“I put on a concert for Black History Month in 2020, which gave me an opportunity to work with Tony again. It was so wonderful to share a stage with him, to witness the spirit he embodies and feel the energy he consistently brings. I dared to ask him if he'd be a part of my new band and was totally overjoyed when he agreed.”

Simon describes the new relationship with Ubuntu Music: “I was delighted to be introduced to Martin (Hummel) at Ubuntu, not least because, as a fellow fan and supporter of jazz, I've followed the upwards trajectory of Ubuntu for some time. Their Best of 2022 CD was the only CD in my car pretty much all summer! They've earned their place in the UK jazz establishment by championing a diverse range of artists and have an admirable business model that focuses on music.

“That very word 'Ubuntu' conjures up a philosophy that aligns completely with my values as a human being and world citizen. So, to work with someone who demonstrably embodies those qualities of humanity and world vision was obviously an attractive proposition.

“Subsequently, the more I got to know Martin, the more convinced I became that I needn't follow up with any other label; I am over the moon that Sharp Little Bones now shares a home with such an incredible roster of top draw artists and one that will nurture us as we create new music, connecting us to a growing and receptive audience.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “I was first introduced to Simon through Tony Kofi, a dear friend, and an amazing talent. Tony featured on Alina Bzhezhinska’s Ubuntu release back in 2018, so I had a sense of what to expect with this project…and I wasn’t in any way disappointed. Sharp Little Bones and Tony blend together naturally and seamlessly, playing off each other with energy, creativity, whilst having mutual respect. You can hear and feel the absolute joy this recording captures from that session. It's a pleasure to be working with Simon and the band. We’re very excited to bring this expansive project to the jazz listening world. Welcome to the Family!”

For further information, please contact:

Simon Paterson (Artist & UK Publicity): simon.jtp@gmail.com

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

WEBSITES

https://simonpaterson.com/sharp-little-bones/

https://www.weareubuntumusic.com/

https://www.ubuntumanagementgroup.com/

BAND BIOGRAPGIES

MOBO-nominated, multi-BBC Jazz and Parliamentary Jazz Awards winner Tony Kofi joins Simon Paterson (basses), Paul Deats (keyboards) and Andrew Wood (drums) to perform brand-new compositions that are tight, energetic, catchy, and melodic. Their sound has a fresh, contemporary appeal: live acoustic forces rooted in the bebop tradition are embellished with tasteful electronics and warm, analogue synth textures.

Tony Kofi

"Passionate… superb… heartfelt" The Guardian

"There is so much respect in jazz circles for Tony Kofi." Jazzwise

Simon Paterson

"Pens a superior blend of material which often hints at jazz and world-music influences" Sam Inglis, Editor in Chief of Sound on Sound

"Paterson's playing on several instruments is deft" Bruce Crowther, Jazz Journal.

Paul Deats

"A powerful and intense player…lyrical and thoughtful"

Paul is also the co-founder of Peggy's Skylight Jazz Club in Nottingham.

Andrew Wood

Andrew ‘Woody’ Wood is a professional musician based in Nottingham, UK and is one of the most in-demand live and studio drummers in the East Midlands.

Ubuntu Music Signs Gifted Israeli Pianist Uriel Herman

January 15, 2023 Martin Hummel

Uriel Herman Quartet (ft. Itamar Borochov) / Different Eyes

Release Date: 7th July 2023

CD, Digital & Vinyl Formats / UBU0136

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of the highly gifted Israeli pianist and composer, Uriel Herman and his quartet, featuring trumpet player Itamar Borochov. The album, Different Eyes, is scheduled for release on 7th July 2023.

Uriel Herman has been performing worldwide--with his quartet and as a soloist--over the past eight years. His sound draws from his classical piano upbringing with a mastery of complex Middle Eastern rhythms and melodies.

“Many musicians can create the obvious. Only few can make every gesture, every note, every moment and every choice not only brilliant, but as if it were the only possibility. Tonight, Uriel Herman’s quartet smashed the gigantic door…”

Alexandre Fournet, Eclats’Demail Jazz Edition (France)

Uriel describes the idea behind Different Eyes, his upcoming album: "We all have one pair of eyes but there are countless layers of seeing. We can see or choose to look. Our memories and dreams are painted in different colours every time we visit them and therefore each moment gives a singular meaning to looking in and out. ‘Different Eyes’ is an intimate portrait that begins in my childhood streets of Jerusalem and goes all the way to a lullaby that I sing to my son.”

Uriel Herman and Itamar Borochov studio session.

The line-up for Different Eyes, Uriel’s third album, consists of Uriel Herman/piano, Itamar Borochov/trumpet, Uriel Weinberger/woodwinds, Avri Borochov/contrabass, Haim Peskoff/drums and Maayan Doari/percussion.

Uriel continues: “It begins with memories. ‘Jerusalem’, a duet with trumpeter Itamar Borochov, is a melody inspired by fragments of my childhood memories from Jerusalem streets. The two continue into a fragile rendition of ‘Nature Boy’. Then comes the Quartet with ‘MJ’, a tribute to Michael Jordan, one of the greatest American basketball players of all time.

“When we close our eyes, we open a door to dreams, fantasies, illusion and more. In a way, they give us a new pair of eyes. This forms in the shape of ‘Fantasia’, and in pieces written for my band that explore complex rhythms and grooves. Among them is an interpretation of Nirvana’s ‘Polly’. The last song on the album is ‘Yakinton’.”

Uriel shares his view on his new partnership with Ubuntu Music: “I’m really excited about the relationship with Ubuntu. They are one of the only labels that understand the direction that the industry is headed. And I believe that together we will release some unbelievably beautiful music.”

Left to right: Avri Borochov, Uriel Weinberger, Haim Peskoff, Uriel Herman (Photographer: Jean Christophe Charrier)

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “I initially met Uriel in 2022 at the Jazzahead international conference in Bremen, Germany. I was immediately struck by the passion of this young artist, along with his ambitions for his career. As the recordings progressed, I was mesmerised by the depth, the beauty and the intensity of Uriel’s compositions and his performance of these. There is something very special here, for all the world to enjoy. We welcome Uriel to the Ubuntu Music Family.”

For further information, please contact:

Uriel Herman (Artist): info@urielherman.com

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

BIOGRAPHY

In January 2019 Uriel released his most recent title, Face to Face, with the French label, Laborie Jazz. The album is comprised of Uriel’s original music and unique arrangements to songs by David Bowie and Mordechai Zeira.

“In ‘Face to Face’, Herman throws himself into an oriental cauldron and ‘hears’ in a colourful virtuosity. Uriel’s version of Bowie’s ‘The Man Who Sold the World’ is one of the best covers in the history of broadly understood entertainment music!”

Marcin Puławski Laboratorium Muzycznych, (Poland)

“It is one of the richest, most creative and interesting albums I’ve recently heard in the jazz, classical, ethnic and rock seams.”

Yossi Harsonski, Haronski Music (Israel)

Also in 2019, Herman was commissioned by the Jenaer Philharmonic Orchestra to write three pieces for a jazz quartet and orchestra titled ‘The Dialogues’. The pieces were played with the orchestra as part of Jazzmeile Thuringen Festival in Weimar.

The Uriel Herman Quartet was created following the recording of Uriel’s first album, Awake. Since then, the quartet has been travelling across the world, performing in major festivals and venues, including The Forbidden City Concert Hall (Beijing, China), Festival Jazz Sous Les Pommiers (Coutances, FR), Centro Cultural Kirchner (Argentina), Stanford University (CA, USA), Jarasum Jazz Festival (South-Korea), Taichung Jazz Festival (Taiwan), Festival Eclats d’Email Jazz (Limoges, FR), Duc de Lombards (Paris, FR), Red Sea Jazz Festival (Eilat, Israel) and many more.

In early 2017, Uriel composed a rhapsody for Jazz Quartet & Orchestra: White Night. This piece was the result of a long journey he started in the jungles of Costa Rica as he underwent a shamanic ceremony with his father. For him, this was a life-changing moment, sending him into a deep writing and composing process which led to this 21-minute rhapsody.

“The pianist-leader brought a classical touch and mastery of complex rhythms to an exhilarating programme of ‘Bach-to-Brazil’”

Bob Weir, Jazz Journal UK

In mid-2015 the quartet recorded a live session in the Montefiore Windmill in Jerusalem in front of a small audience of friends and family. The Windmill Sessions led the quartet to international recognition, followed by headline spots on major jazz festivals in Asia, Europe and the US.

In 2014, Uriel released his first solo album, Awake, which led to the creation of The Uriel Herman Quartet and was named one of Israel’s Top Five Albums of The Year. The album contains original compositions, arrangements to songs by Nirvana and Radiohead, as well as new melodies set to poems by Israeli poets, Yehuda Amichai and Tirza Attar.

“This singular and modern approach to music, reinforced by the passion and dexterity of the musicians who accompany it, makes Uriel Herman one of the most exciting pianists in the jazz scene today and an unavoidable discovery. “

France Musique

Uriel is a graduate of the Jerusalem Music Academy and studied composition under composers Prof. Andre Hajdu and Prof. Michael Wolpe. He also studied piano with the internationally renowned pianist Ilana Vered as well as with Prof. Assaf Zohar. He has played in classical music recitals as a solo pianist at the Perugia Music Festival in Italy and the Moulin d’Andé Festival in France, amongst others.

Lucian Grainge Calls For ‘Updated Model’ For Music Industry: Read His Memo to UMG Staff

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In his annual New Year's letter to Universal employees, Grainge highlighted the company's successes but also called for change in an era of "bad actors."

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5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Sun Ra

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Questlove, Dawn Richard and a range of other musicians, writers and critics share their favorites from the experimental pianist, organist and bandleader’s wide-ranging catalog.