The vocalist, songwriter and multi-disciplinary artist Collette Cooper will release an exclusive body of work in December, all proceeds of which will be donated to Nordoff Robbins, the UK’s largest independent music therapy charity. Collette Cooper embodies a unique premise in today’s musical landscape. Sourcing inspiration from artists such as Bessie Smith and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, to Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and even Kurt Weill, Collette’s style has been described as ‘Janis Joplin channelling Edith Piaf.’

From classic jazz and raw blues, with vaudeville overtones and a sprinkling of punk for good measure, Collette Cooper is a versatile artist who has achieved the rare feat of combining multifarious influences to create something that is very much her own. This ingenuity is reflected on ‘Lost’, which sees Collette use her abilities to shine a light on the venerable work of Nordoff Robbins, a charity dedicated to investigating the impact that music therapy can have for those affected by life-limiting illness, isolation or disability, led by the real experiences of the people that they support.

The songs on ‘Lost’ are recorded direct to tape, in one take. This encapsulates an organic, live moment in time, captured forever and ready to share with the world - a particularly special way to create music that only musicians of the highest calibre are able to master. The music is full of raw sentiment, brought to life by strikingly powerful and sincere vocals, creating a sense of belief in what is heard by those who listen.

Cooper herself has faced a number of extreme challenges throughout her life, from becoming homeless to losing her father. By projecting her emotions through creative songwriting, she has used these life experiences to develop and grow as an artist, ultimately making her stronger. A palpable sense of these intense feelings can be detected throughout the new album and provide a deep authenticity to the project as a whole.

Collette’s decision to donate all proceeds of this release to Nordiff Robbins are undoubtedly influenced by her personal circumstances and the relief that music provided her with. Speaking about the charity, Collette says: 'I'm proud to be an ambassador for NR and all their great work that they do and feel music therapy is so important in helping not only for those with a life-limiting disability but in today's uncertain times, it's a saviour for a lot of people.'

Hannah Sheedy, Director of Fundraising and Marcomms says: “At Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, we believe that music brings us closer together. It can be made and enjoyed by anyone, and at times like this, the connectivity that music brings is more important than ever. We’re delighted to have the support of Collette who will be donating all proceeds from her wonderful album ‘Lost’ to help fund our music therapy. As we do not receive any direct government funding, Collette’s kindness will enable the charity to continue to enrich people’s lives with music therapy, supporting some of the most vulnerable and isolated members of our communities who have been significantly affected by this crisis.

Lateralize Records is proud to announce the release of Weathering The Storm, the hugely-anticipated debut album from Jo Harrop and Jamie McCredie.

Having cut their teeth working with an array of stars including Jools Holland, Melody Gardot and Robbie Williams, Jo Harrop and Jamie McCredie took a leap of faith and started working together on what would eventually become their debut. Mixing up a potent blend of Great American Songbook evergreens alongside a handful of indelible classics by Tom Waits, Randy Newman and David Gates, the duo manage to shine new light on these old songs about life, love and loss.

“All of these songs communicate the universal aspects of human emotion in the face of change, whether it’s love or loss, happiness or sorrow,” Harrop explains. “The title, Weathering The Storm, suggests fortitude in the face of turbulent times, but it’s also a fond reference to the rugged landscapes of our hometowns in the North East of England. This album is an exploration of emotion and depth and the realisation that sometimes the most profound experiences are also the simplest.”

Harrop’s velvety voice shimmers and weaves its way between the notes of McCredie’s mellifluous, deliciously understated guitar like steam, weighing each and every word with precision, silently contemplating exactly how much she wants to reveal and how much she wants to keep hidden in the shadows of these deep-blue soliloquies. At times, she sounds as if she is living inside the songs, with each lyric a page from her diary.  

“We really wanted to capture a spontaneous live feel whilst also making something timeless that moves people in the same way that I’ve been moved by so many albums throughout my life,” she continues. “Two of the biggest touchstones for Weathering The Storm were the duets albums by Bill Evans and Tony Bennett and Joe Pass and Ella Fitzgerald. You can hear such a close emotional connection on those records. When Jamie and I first startedworking together, we instantly realised there was a similar kind of musicaltelepathy between us.”

Recorded live in one or two takes, often in late-night post-gig sessions in McCredie’s London studio, Weathering The Storm has an ageless, ineffably moving quality that is pure and true and as rare as hen’s teeth.

Skeltr began as an experimental late night session between Manchester musicians Sam Healey and Craig Hanson. Their first ever UK live show at the2017 Manchester Jazz Festival saw the duo sell all physical records of their debut release in one day. Within a few months of this auspicious start, the duo found themselves supporting L.A sensation KNOWER on a UK tour, appearing onJazz FM, Worldwide FM and listed as ‘ones to watch’ in Jazzwise Magazine as well as performing across European jazz festivals, including Reykjavik JazzFestival, InJazz, Rotterdam and the famous Osloscene Club in Norway.

From Post-bop and modern groove on one end of the spectrum, to artists such as Flying Lotus at the other, Skeltr’s eclectic and discerning musical tastes have allowed them to develop a sound and vibe that is very much their own. A nucleus of saxophone and drums set to soundscapes of synths, vocals and guest features, Skeltr's second album, Dorje, combines heartfelt statements of sensitive improvisation, which stems from ardent and fluent melodies. Craig Hanson on drums is as much an expressive protagonist of the music as he is a foundation with deep roots, leading to an intricate synergy between the duo. Themes on the album include understanding the nature of happiness, self-examination and acceptance in a quest to achieve a positive mental state. Ultimately, Dorje seeks to provide the listener with a space in which to explore their own relativities with guidance, inspiration and accompaniment.

Skeltr’s increasing momentum was put on hold temporarily when Healey suffered a serious hand injury, rendering him unable to perform live. Though quite an extreme setback, this also allowed him time to reflect and reconnect with the process of writing music, meaning that after operations and months of rehabilitation, the duo were able to go in to the studio record Dorje immediately on full recovery.

Sam Healey is a practicing Buddhist applies the principles of these teachings and philosophies to his creative process. Contrasting with this calming and reflective influence, Skeltr’s music is also deeply affected by their experience of various party scenes in Manchester, not least the city’s enduring legacy of rave bands such as the Happy Monday’s and DJ’s and producers who performed at clubs such as the Hacienda. Because of this, an essence of freedom and happiness is reflected in both their live shows and their sound in general, again setting Skelter apart from the more pensive or academic areas of the jazz scene. With Dorje, Skeltr are making an accomplished contribution to an important musical heritage, while simultaneously providing something that is not commonly experienced, especially in jazz.

Skeltr are increasingly establishing themselves as rising stars on the UK and international jazz scene, organically providing a strong contribution to the new burgeoning movement that has impacted on music of recent years. However, their vibrant sound and incendiary live show are equally at home in dance clubs, attracting widespread positive attention from fans of electronic music due to Sam Healey’s creative loop pedal / synth set up and Craig Hanson’s powerful and energetic skill on drums. This sets Skeltr apart as a unique proposition in today’s musical landscape and innovators within their field.

Ubuntu Music is proud to present an album of incendiary new music from Manchester band Jersey Street: a 9-piece powerhouse led by eminent vocalist Dawn Zee and multi-instrumentalist producers Neil Reid and Matt Steele, alongside a collective of highly skilled musicians who have for many years been the ‘go to’ players for a wide range of internationally renowned creative projects.

Individual accolades include Matt Steele’s 17-year stint as long-standing keyboard player for Brit-Funk icons The Brand New Heavies, as well as being an integral live touring member of post-punk stalwarts A Certain Ratio, gaining songwriting credits for the likes of Angie Stone and Siedah Garrett along the way. Dawn Zee, who has been compared with the likes of Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and Lauren Hill, is best known for providing lead female vocals for the legendary New Order, most prominently lending her harmonic excellence to their worldwide hit ‘Crystal’. Founding member Neil Reid has carved a respected path between the worlds ofDeep House and Nu-jazz, working with luminaries including Larry Heard and releasing music on leading labels such as Defected, Junior Boys Own and Hed Kandi.

Rounding off the roster are some of the UK’s best jazz and funk musicians, whose playing captures the energy of Jersey Street’s live shows and the true essence of the group’s powerful and impressive sound. Names such as Steve Washington (Hugh Masekela), Dan Carpenter (Incognito, Chaka Khan), Mike Wilson (Lianne La Havas), Errol Rollins (The Human League, Corrine Bailey Rae) The Haggis Horns (Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson) and Jasper Wilkinson (Young Jazz Composer Of The Year) cement Jersey Street’s reputation as an unstoppable force to be reckoned with.

Co-founder Dawn Zee says: “We began this process a couple of years ago as something very pure, based on the desire to make the record that we’d always wanted to, musically and sonically, without any reference to anything apart from our own taste. It ended up sounding better than we could have imagined, probably because of that very approach. It’s heavily song-based and draws on a wide range of influences. We’ve got some wonderful musicians on the album and we wanted to give all the players the freedom to bring their own vision of how it should sound. We’re really proud of it, and we hope it can bring a bit of happiness to all our fans and listeners. Hope everyone is irie. Stay blessed Xx.”

Jersey Street have undoubtedly made a huge contribution to the global success of every project that they have been involved in and continue to make a uniquecontribution to Manchester’s musical legacy. Now with Love Rising Up, the group are ready for their turn in the limelight, with a new body of work that perfectly showcases their energy, skill and quality. The jazz-funk album release of the year has arrived!

Breathe Harmony, the NHS staff choir at Guy’s and St Thomas’ (the Hospital that recently treated the Prime Minister), have created a recording of Mariah Carey's ‘Anytime You Need a Friend’ in partnership with Musical Director Mike King and MyCool Music Foundation, bringing over 100 singers together to show their appreciation for the NHS.

The recording has been picked up by by Mariah Carey herself, who tweeted that it 'brought her to tears'.

And the video for the song is swiftly gaining views on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mpT2vJgzp0

The charity track is available for download on iTunes and Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3clBmDz and https://apple.co/3bdfdqW

Charity patrons and Hollywood actors Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton have also shown their support for the new single, in hope the track will make the charts to celebrate the inspiring work of the NHS amidst the COVID-19 pandemic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr8_AAv1FXM&feature=youtu.be

Small charities like Breathe Arts Health Research and MyCool Music Foundation will be the hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis. To make sure these vital services continue to exist, all proceeds from the single will be divided between Breathe Arts Health Research and MyCool Foundation to enable the charities to deliver their arts and health projects to patients and NHS staff, and support the NHS with arts services all year-round.

More than 100 musicians and singers from across the world came together to produce the track – this involved Guy's and St. Thomas's NHS staff choir and NHS charity Breathe Harmony and the choir of the MyCool Music Foundation, with friends and family from the UK, USA, Barbados, Canada, Italy, Spain, Poland, South Africa, Australia, France, Belgium and Greece getting involved.

To make the recording, each member joined weekly virtual rehearsals,submitting individual home recordings on their mobile phones, to create a global message of solidarity. The track was then produced by MyCool Music Foundation Director Mike King, who has worked with some of the most famous musical artists in the world, including Mark Ronson, Florence and the Machine and Boy George.

Breathe celebrity patrons, Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton said: “We are huge supporters of the work of Breathe Arts Health Research. As actors we know the value that the arts have on our own health and wellbeing, and so during the coronavirus crisis, we need the sense of hope and community that the arts can provide more than ever.

“We love the Breathe Harmony & Friends track, Anytime You Need A Friend, as its words resonate with communities around the world right now, as together we face this global pandemic. We urge everyone to get behind our multi-talented NHS and download this track to help celebrate our NHS staff and spread Breathe’s message of global solidarity during these difficult times.”

Breathe Arts Health Research’s Founder and Managing Director, Yvonne Farquharson said: “It is fantastic to get the support from our wonderful Patrons Jim and Imelda for this single, which was created to show our support and appreciation for the NHS and frontline workers. Breathe are a multi-award winning social enterprise who work in partnership with the NHS year-round to provide healthcare programmes which use the arts to support and improve health and wellbeing. During this particularly challenging time, where many people are feeling isolated and fearful, it’s more important than ever to be uplifted and brought together through the arts and to offer our gratitude to the NHS to help them feel supported, appreciated and loved.”

Fionnuala Donovan, Guy’s and St Thomas Highly Specialist Neurophysiotherapist and Breathe Harmony member, who is the first singer to appear on the track said: “As always the choir and singing has added a little bit of light to my life, something which is particularly needed during these dark times of uncertainty. I hope this song spreads that light to everyone else that watches it.”

Mike King, Musical Director of NHS Choir, Breathe Harmony said: “Singing is not only fantastic for physical and mental health and wellbeing, but it brings people together. At a time when people have never felt so isolated and alone, when hope is in short supply, I wanted to create an opportunity for people around the world to connect and have something positive to focus on. However, this wasn’t only meant to benefit those who took part in the experience but for the song itself to bring hope and comfort to those effected by the coronavirus and show our appreciation to the NHS and all those working on the front line.”

February 2020 will see the release of Portrait: Reflections On Belonging, the new and much anticipated album from innovative and renowned British jazz trumpeter Byron Wallen. It is his first recorded release in 13 years, and overall his fifth solo publication following his previous album Meeting Ground (2007) for which he received nominations for Best Band and Best Album in the 2007 BBC Jazz Awards and Best Jazz Act in the 2007 MOBO Awards Portrait: Reflections On Belonging is a journey from Wallen’s sumptuous experiences of decades of extensive travelling, studying contemporary and indigenous cultures and connecting with people from all over the world, to realigning himself with the colourful kaleidoscope that is his own local community. He explains: “This album is a meditation and reflection on the powerful impact that music has had on my life. It was conceived whilst sitting in the central square in Woolwich, an area of South East London. I was struck by the community around me with its mixture of cultures and nationalities, from Nepalese elders to young Nigerian men, Somali mothers with their children, a new Eastern European contingent and descendants of families who used to work in the docks and at the Arsenal. Music paved my way to travel and see the world, meeting people from all different cultures andwalks of life. The study of music and the process of striving to become a better musician furnished me with a deeper knowledge of self and a gift I could share on so many different levels. In PORTRAIT I am meditating on identity, culture and what it means to belong. The compositions, workshops, performances, and social interaction born out of this project deepened my artistic and personal relationships with the people in my neighbourhood. The album pays tribute to the heart, soul and vibrant provenance of the community I call my home.”

The project Portrait emerged from Wallen’s passionate engagement with his immediate surroundings through teaching, performing, leading workshops and ultimately collaborating with local artists. The album cover portrait has been created by Woolwich based visual artist Marc Drostle. Special guest vocals from Plumcroft Primary School resonate on several tracks and perfectly demonstrate the theme of community spirit that runs throughout the album. The band, Byron Wallen’s Four Corners, will tour the UK in early 2020 and endeavour to replicate the same level of social synergy wherever their live shows take them. Byron Wallen’s music is distinctive and individual, his passionate musical knowledge and his fascination with the human spirit is evident in all of his music. Byron’s creative output is deeply influenced by his experiences with musicians on his travels around the world, including countries such as South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, East Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, Indonesia and his parents’ homeland Belize. Skilfully combining these influences with true and wide-ranging elements from the jazz tradition make his music stand out as an inimitable, one of a kind sound. Having studied with luminaries such as Jimmy Owens, Donald Byrd and Jon Faddis, and played alongside legendary musicians such as George Benson, Chaka Khan, Hugh Masekela, Andrew Hill, Red Snapper, Mulatu Astatke and King Sunny Ade, Byron Wallen is a revered and respected musician in jazz, world music and beyond. His Gayan Gamelan projects, notably his recent adaptation of Boards of Canada’s seminal album Music Has the Right to Children, have won widespread critical acclaim from media, peers and music fans alike for the beautiful marriage of traditions from Indonesia and EastAfrica, and its fusion with the urban sounds of modern dance music and contemporary classical styles. On the album Portrait: Reflections On Belonging, Byron Wallen plays the trumpet, flugelhorn, shells, piano and percussion. He is accompanied by his dazzling ‘Four Corners’ band made up by Rob Luft on guitar, Paul Michael on bass and Rod Youngs on drums, and joined on several tracks by the ardent African percussion expert Richard ‘Olatunde’ Baker with his congas and talking drums. The overall result is a sublime listen, ultimately providing hope and inspiration by way of creativity, unity and togetherness.

‘Unchain’ is the brand new single from Italo-Congolese artist Guilia Grispino, otherwise known as Sans Soucis. Unchainfeatures San Soucis’ signature sound of layered vocal harmonies with ethereal, electric guitar-led melodies that express the utmost with the minimum. The hypnotic, delicate tones and space between sounds draw similarities with artists such as Lianne La Havas, Laura Mvula and James Blake, though an indefinable edge allows San Soucis to occupy a space that is very much her own.

The unique nature of Sans Soucis’ music has evolved by way of distinctive and personal life experiences.Growing up between the north and south of Italy, Sans Soucis was deeply influenced by her Italian grandparents, who provide much inspiration for the music that she creates today. At the same time, Guilia expressed a deep desire to reconnect with her Congole roots, travelling to Eastern Congo as much as possible in order to spend time with her Congolese family: her grandfather, a village chief of a Bemba tribe and father to 39 children and her maternal grandmother, who gave her the name her Sans Soucis, loosely translated as “no worries”.

This atypical upbringing allowed Sans Soucis to develop a distinct Afro-European outlook, which has undoubtedly had a beneficial effect on her musical endeavours. Such a diverse international perspective allows Sans Soucis to seamlessly blend styles and influences and make them whole, ultimately leading to beautiful and inimitable music.

A profoundly moving and empowering song, Unchain promotes a message of unity and togetherness at a time when the world faces many fractures and divisions. As Guilia explains: “It is a song that talks about a certain kindness that comes from empathy, a quality that can be harvested through introspection and investigation of our past. The structure of Unchain reminds us that life goes in circles that we keep breaking and rebuilding in a spiral that continues after we die, as we are part of a bigger picture…. The epiphany that happens when we try to break these cycles suddenly release the tension of being constrained and helpless in our own little universe, when we understand everything is connected and that we are “the writers, the ink of all the blues” - creators and inspiration for each other, in our vulnerability.”

Since moving to London in 2016, Sans Soucis quickly made a name for herself on the live circuit with her captivating blend of folk, jazz, R&B and soul. Her debut EP ‘Daffodils’gathered much positive attention from respected media outlets such as Worldwide FM and Mahogany and lead to performances at notable venues such as Islington’s Union Chapel and Shoreditch’s Rich Mix. Now with Unchain, San Soucis hopes to reach a whole new audience of discerning music lovers.

Sans Soucis is amultifaceted artist, working with other creative minds to cross-pollinate skills and generate positive energy within a range of communities. She strives to be part of a wider network of socially conscious individuals that strive to make a difference with what they do, in this case through inspirational songs of emancipation. Unchain is in essence a work from the heart, set to position Sans Soucis as one of the most interesting and inspiring artists to emerge in recent years.

Broadcaster and DJ Tina Edwards will be hitting cities this Autumn for her debut UK tour, leading towards the first broadcast of her new Worldwide FM show, Universal Sanctuary.

Tina Edwards has been at the forefront of the emerging Jazz scene for five years, living and breathing it in its epicentre, South London as a DJ, broadcaster, writer and promoter. As the first host of WW Daily, the morning show on Gilles Peterson’s award­winning Worldwide FM, Tina returns after a short break with Universal Sanctuary, a new show that explores the junction between Jazz, electronic music and DJ culture.

Tina says about US:

“For me, Jazz has been an entry point into club culture. It’s not the typical experience; the fluidity of musicians especially in the British live scene have been inspiring to me and my work as a broadcaster and DJ. My sets and musical tastes have become broader and more club­focused, and I’m excited to reflect that in this new show and in my first UK tour. We want US to feel like somewhere that listeners can physically come to a literal music sanctuary, and I’m excited to bring the ideology of the show to life with

the UK tour. I’m really looking forward to working with Charles he’s incredibly talented, and his sets are both technical and just awesome, shameless fun”.

Producing the show will be fellow DJ, broadcaster and promoter Charles Vaughan (Birdland Kissa, Resolution).

Boundary-breaking, socially-conscious musician and one of America’s most exciting trumpet players to perform exclusive UK shows

April 9th to the 13th 2018 sees the inspirationally talented, award-winning trumpeter Keyon Harrold travel to the UK to play five live shows in Huddersfield, Manchester, Leeds, London and Southampton, in support of his recent album The Mugician. A portmanteau of ‘musician’ and ‘magician’, the album’s title is a nod to the nickname that the critically-acclaimed actor/director Don Cheadle bestowed upon the young virtuoso for his compositions and performances as the voice of the trumpet in the much celebrated and Grammy Award-winning Miles Davis biopic ‘MilesAhead’. Sweeping and cinematic, Harrold’s music draws on elements of jazz, classical, rock, blues, and hip hop to create something uniquely modern and unmistakably American. Guests on The Mugician include Pharoahe Monch, Big KRIT, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Gary Clark, Jr and Robert Glasper to name a few.

Born and raised in Ferguson Missouri, (infamous for birthing the internationally-recognized Black Lives Matter Movement after the 2014 police shooting of Michael Brown and the bitter protests that followed), Harrold grew up one of 16 children in a family that prioritised music and community across generations. At 18, he left Ferguson to enrol in NYC’s most prestigious jazz program at The New School. In New York, he landed his first major gig with multi-platinum Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist, actor and activist Common, an experience which he says broadened his musical horizons beyond jazz to include funk, Afrobeat, R&B, and hip hop. Soon after this he became the go-to trumpet player for a whole host of stars including Snoop Dogg, Jay Z, Beyonce, D’Angelo, Maxwell, Rihanna and Eminem not to mention jazz artists such as Billy Harper, Charles Tolliver, Andrew Hill and Gregory Porter. Hailed by Rolling Stone in 2017 as one of the top ten new artists to watch, Harrold’s time as a frontman had come,

The Mugician pushes beyond the traditional boundaries of jazz trumpet. It is an album that celebrates the importance of family (ten of Keyon’s siblings appear on the record) and the absolute necessity of optimism in the face of darkness and doubt. The album opens with ‘Voicemail,’ which features an unedited, authentic and inspirational message from Harrold’s mother, set to a stirring, orchestral soundscape. Later, he focuses on the next generation, paying tribute to his own son with ‘Lullaby’ and ‘Bubba Rides Again’.

Some of the album’s most powerful moments come with the one-two punch of ‘MB Lament’, written by Harrold in the wake of Mike Brown’s death and senseless killings, and, a broader reflection on the many “isms” that plague America ‘When Will It Stop’, a collaboration written with famed St. Louis comedian Guy Torry. While Ferguson looms large on The Mugician, it examines our troubled times through a far wider lens than any one tragedy. Issues of identity and equality percolate throughout the record, sometimes subtly beneath the surface, sometimes more pointedly, as in the now-popular track ‘Circus Show’, written in collaboration with singer/songwriter Andrea Pizziconi, where Harrold and vocalist Gary Clark Jr trade versus and hooks, castigating the desire of America’s current ruling political forces to build a ‘crazy wall’, eliminate healthcare, or round up tax-paying immigrants against the refrain, ‘What the hell’s going on?’

A vibrant range of some of America’s best musicians add to the record’s eclectic nature, but ultimately The Mugician triumphs as a unified, cohesive whole, because of Harrold’s virtuosic skills as a trumpeter and songwriter and because of his relentlessly optimistic belief in brighter days to come.

Now UK audiences can experience Keyon Harrold’s emotionally raw ‘mugik’ live, at some of the country’s most stylish music venues from Band on the Wall in Manchester to the Jazz Café in London and Turner Sims in Southampton. Special guests will include, among others, the hotly-tipped pianist Ashley Henry of the RE:ensemble, and broadcaster, journalist, Worldwide FM DJ and all round jazz champion Tina Edwards who will be warming up the vibes on the turntables with her choice selection of cuts. Keyon Harrold’s forthcoming live shows will be a rare chance to witness a sonic extravaganza from one of the most talented musicians of his generation.

Young American Piano Phenomenon Plays Exclusive UK Live Shows

Sixteen year old US pianist and musical prodigy Matthew Whitaker will visit the UK in April 2018 to play two intimate and exclusive live shows in Milton Keynes and London.

First discovering a keyboard at three years old and self-teaching himself the Hammond organ from the age of nine, Matthew’s outstanding natural talent has helped him to achieve a series of ‘world firsts’: The youngest ever artist to be endorsed by Hammond in its eighty plus year history at only thirteen, subsequently the youngest ever musician to join the elite group of Yamaha endorsed pianists at fifteen, and winning the Outstanding Soloist Award from New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Charles Mingus High School Competition and the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition all before the age of sixteen.

This list of accolades would be more than enough to pique the interest of critics and discerning music lovers alike, but the fact that Matthew happens to be a blind musician adds a whole new level to how exceptional he is as a performing artist.

Matthew began last year by being named one of ‘17 People To Watch’ in 2017 by one of New Jersey's largest newspapers, The Record. This feature was then picked by USA Today and published throughout the States. He closed 2017 by being listed as one of Crain's New York Business's ‘20 Under 20’, a highly influential list that highlights young people under twenty years old that have made significant accomplishments toward their processional goals.

Even at such a young age, Matthew’s soaring career has put him into contact with a plethora of famous musicians and industry figures, all of whom have recognised his potential as a world class artist. From Wynton Marsalis to Stevie Wonder, Dr Lonnie Smith to Quincy Jones - each of these hugely successful icons have championed Matthew individually.

Matthew has collaborated with an array of outstanding players including Christian McBride, Regina Carter, Cory Henry and the legendary Roy Ayers to name just a few. At 10 years old, he was invited to perform at Stevie Wonder’s induction into the Apollo Theatre’s Hall of Fame. He returned to the Apollo for FOX TV’s revival of SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO in 2016, where he won the audience over with his rendition of Stevie Wonder’s classic ‘I Wish’.  Matthew has also been interviewed and played live on a range of high profile US television shows including the immensely popular talk show ELLEN! and The Today Show on NBC.

An extensive touring schedule has seen Matthew perform at world famous venues such as Carnegie Hall and Jazz At Lincoln Centre. His 2017 debut album ‘Outta The Box’ (featuring Sammy Figueroa, Will Calhoun and Christian McBride) maintained a Jazzweek chart positioning for 14 weeks and was listed as one of the best debuts of 2017 by The New York City Jazz Record. British music fans will have the chance to listen to some fantastic original compositions, as well as new arrangements of timeless classics. Now UK audiences will be able to witness Matthew Whitaker’s sensational talent in an intimate live setting, a rare chance to catch a rising star on his accent into the stratosphere!

Pioneering new music from members of the iconic and legendary funk band Parliament-Funkadelic

Detroit Rising is an unprecedented venture created by universally respected American musicians, including the current and original members of the archetypal funk band Parliament-Funkadelic. Taking a break from relentless touring, the musicians of Detroit Funk and a choice selection of world class talent from across the United States step out in a new direction, creating a hybrid jazz-funk album set to take listeners by storm in 2018.

The Detroit Rising project is a collaboration between highly sought after young P-Funk artists and writers, supported by legendary industry veterans. Members of the collective have performed with a huge range of artists as diverse as Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Mary J Blige, Herbie Hancock, Theo Parrish and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers (in addition to their regular work with Parliament-Funkadelic). Key figures in the group also played regularly with late, great artists such as Prince and Miles Davis to name just two.

Recorded live at the world famous Motown affiliated United Sound Studios in Detroit, as well as renowned studios in NYC, LA, Las Vegas and the Swamp Funk recording studios in Florida, Detroit Rising has been mixed and mastered by some of the very best engineers in the business, including Richie Beretta (Beyonce), Tatsuya (A Tribe Called Quest) and Mark Santangelo (Childish Gambino).  

The result is a highly skilled, vibrant and progressive album, combining elements of funk, jazz, soul, hip hop and rock-n-roll, capturing a live sound that genuinely represents the next best thing to having the full band performing live in front of an audience. After years of honing their performance skills on worldwide stages, the current touring musicians of Detroit Rising now take centre stage, performing original compositions that shine a light on the true extent of their talent and creativity.

Dance remixes of tracks from the album by eminent producers Joey Negro and Sean McCabe will also add an alternative take on what is already a much-hyped project amongst discerning music circles. Further reworks from Kaidi Tathum and EVM128, members of UK crew and Worldwide FM DJ’s CoOp Selectors Assemble, are also bound to attract further attention.

With worldwide live dates in the pipeline and an ever-increasing legion of supporters, Detroit Rising’s Cosmic Jazz-Funk Adventure is deservedly one of the most hotly anticipated funk releases in the US, and will undoubtedly be a special discovery for those in the know across the pond. Join the movement now!

“In the same league as Aretha Franklin” - The Telegraph “Her talent is undeniable” - The Guardian

One of the UK’s most spectacular voices performs her favourite songs of all time from the classic eras of jazz, blues & soul, at London’s most exclusive music and dining club

Boisdale of Canary Wharf welcomes in the New Year with a fortnight-long residency from vocal luminary and multi-platinum selling artist Rebecca Ferguson, performing a spellbinding selection of iconic and classic songs that have moved and inspired her, backed by a dynamic and vibrant live band.

Internationally renowned and widely celebrated in the UK as a chart-topping pop artist, Rebecca Ferguson also needs no introduction in the world of jazz, blues and soul. Her 2015 album ‘Lady Sings The Blues’, a stunning tribute to Billy Holliday, was met with rapturous critical acclaim. She is also famous for turning down Donald Trump’s request for her to sing at his Presidential Inauguration by agreeing to do so only if she could sing Billy Holliday’s ‘Strange Fruit’, a beautiful and poignant protest song against American racism.

Rebecca Ferguson’s residency will combine the very best of the classic material for which she is known, with a fresh repertoire of quintessential songs, seldom or never before performed by Rebecca on the live stage, delivered in her own inimitable way. As she explains: “The artists that inspired me to sing, like Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, and Aretha Franklin, in my opinion remain the greatest recording artists of all time…. I would also like to honour and remember songwriters like Hoagie Carmichael, who wrote “Georgia on my mind” in 1930, which Ray Charles made his own in 1960!....This is my personal and humble tribute to my favourite singers and songwriters of all time. The challenge for me is how to interpret these classics with respect while keeping them fresh. I can’t wait, it’s going to be a lot of fun!”

The very best moments from Rebecca’s live performances at Boisdale will be released on a limited edition vinyl in spring 2018. Rebecca says of her forthcoming concerts: “ I want to recreate the atmosphere of the old jazz clubs where people could sit and eat in comfort and style and had the opportunity afterwards of enjoying a close and intimate setting with the performing artists. They told their story and the audience would listen. The plan is to record the evenings onto vinyl, so the audience will be a part of the recording. With the new digital age now upon us I wanted to make something for posterity that people can hold onto that is classic and timeless.” No better place for this dream to be realised than in the atmospheric surroundings of Boisdale of Canary Wharf, a venue that encapsulates the jazz era’s glamour and flair, perfectly complementing Rebecca’s sensational stage presence with mouth watering food and fine wine. This exceptional and unique experience is the perfect way to counteract the January blues and celebrate the beginning of 2018 in style.

World Renowned Creative Mind And Political Activist Reveals A New Body Of 21st Century Protest Music

On 1st September 2017, the internationally revered poet, writer and socio-political commentator Benjamin Zephaniah will release the brand new album Revolutionary Minds, while performing a series of hotly anticipated live shows at festivals and venues throughout the UK.

Widely celebrated as one of the greatest poets of his generation, Zephaniah is strongly influenced by the music and poetry of Jamaica and what he calls "street politics". His poetry, books and plays have captivated hearts and minds, fuelling imaginations and winning him a legion of fans all over the world.

Though his music is lesser known than his written work it is no less fervent. Created alongside his accomplished producer and collaborator The Sea, Revolutionary Minds album is a deep selection of dub-reggae juggernauts, the essence and style of which fully reinforce the messages projected through Zephaniah’s powerful lyrics.

Physical formats of the album will be accompanied by a 12 page booklet of Zephaniah’s intensely conscious lyrics, allowing for his work to be read as poetry in addition to being enjoyed as songs.

At a seemingly tumultuous and divisive period in our society, Revolutionary Minds revitalises the neglected art of the protest song. By reviving this discipline at this particular point in time, Zephaniah shines a critical light on to a range of activity that currently is taking place around the globe, providing a strong voice to the disenfranchised and displaced.

Zephaniah and his full live band ‘The Revolutionary Minds’ are in the midst of staging shows at a range venues and festivals around the country, having already taken thousands by storm in tents bursting at the seams at both Latitude and WOMAD. Next stop are Boomtown and Shambla festivals, as well as a headline show at London’s iconic Jazz Café. Revolutionary Minds is a chance to experience Zephaniah’s innovative talent in full force; a triumphant creation of emotional songs that highlight the poignant global issues faced by society today.

Masterchef judge, restaurant critic and jazz pianist Jay Rayner releases first live album

September 2017 sees the release of A Night Of Food And Agony, the debut album from The Jay Rayner Quartet, recorded ‘Live At Zedel’, the iconic venue in the heart of London’s West End.

Jay, voted the most influential food and drink journalist in Britain by his peers, is notorious for his acerbic wit as a critic both in print and on television. He is the author of ten books, fiction and non-fiction, appears regularly on TV - including on the soon-to-launch Tried and Tasted for Channel 4 - and presents The Kitchen Cabinet for BBC Radio 4. Alongside all this he has a career as a jazz pianist, performing with his quartet everywhere from the Bath International Festival and PizzaExpress Live in Soho to the world-famous Ronnie Scott’s.

A Night Of Food And Agony captures the atmosphere of the quartet’s live shows as Jay examines the relationship between jazz and two key themes in his life: food and drink; and growing up with mother Claire Rayner, the renowned agony aunt and sex advice columnist. As he says, ‘The lyrics to so many blues songs sound like letters to an agony aunt.’ Accordingly, the stories Jay tells between songs are sharp, hilarious and often utterly filthy. As Times jazz critic Clive Davis said in a review of their show, Jay is: ‘the perfect communicator. Sidling up to his audience with a ragbag of jokes and family anecdotes, not to mention an imaginative repertoire, he conveys the sheer joy of playing and exploring the music he loves.’

Jay is accompanied on bass by Robert Rickenberg, a formidably inventive player who rose to prominence with the Sheena Davis group and who has accompanied jazz greats such as Will Gaines and Mark Murphy, as well as pop diva Kylie Minogue. On sax is the highly-regarded Dave Lewis whose lyrical breaks power the groove in his own band, 1Up, and have seen him accompany the likes of Lamont Dozier, Bryan Ferry and Eric Clapton.

But what completes the show is the compelling vocal performance from the extraordinary Pat Gordon-Smith, who gets right inside every lyric. There’s a special chemistry between Pat and Jay too - which isn’t surprising given they’re married to each other. This isn’t mere nepotism; it’s good fortune. Pat has been singing longer than Jay has been playing, and has spent time training with the legendary jazz singer Liane Carroll.

Jay’s monologues provide delicious interludes between jazz classics and hidden gems; tracks include ‘Black Coffee’, Leonard Cohen’s ‘Dance Me To The End Of Love’ and a jazz arrangement of ‘Food Glorious Food’ from Lionel Bart’s musical Oliver! Like the perfect dish, the evening’s elements make a seamless whole underpinned by exquisite good taste. Through A Night of Food and Agony The Jay Rayner Quartet have created a fiery and enthralling live show, to be enjoyed by seasoned jazz fans, curious newcomers and discerning music lovers alike.

The Nations Favourite Interviewer Relives Historic And Iconic Moments From His Remarkable Career

Sir Michael Parkinson, a true broadcasting legend and certified national treasure, will celebrate some of the defining moments of his tenure as one of the most recognisable and widely sought after interviewers of the 20th and 21st centuries, by hosting a series of shows at theatres throughout the UK this Autumn.

In conversation with his son Mike and showing highlights from the Parkinson archive, these new theatre shows will provide a unique opportunity to get an intimate, entertaining and informative look at Sir Michael’s remarkable journey from humble upbringings in a Yorkshire mining town, to becoming one of the most familiar faces on television, whilst reliving the greatest events from a show that for many defined their Saturday night.

In a career spanning several decades, Sir Michael Parkinson was responsible for interviewing over 2000 of the most important figures of our time, including Nelson Mandela, Marlon Brando and Mohammed Ali, to name but a few of the plethora of individuals who have shaped our cultural landscape.

Universally known for his inimitable demeanour, Sir Michael Parkinson’s gift for drawing insightful and often revelatory information from his subjects became addictive viewing, his conversations consistently reflecting the true personalities of all those with whom he came face to face with.

From those famously awkward situations to poignant and emotional unveilings, Sir Michael’s theatre tour will see him both recount and breathe new life into these critical junctures, as well as turning the spotlight on to the man himself, highlighting his relationships with friends, family and colleagues along the way,

An Evening With Sir Michael Parkinson will be a night of reflective and celebratory entertainment, which will undoubtedly bring audiences the very best of a man who has shaped the perception of showbusiness, popular culture and recent history for years to come.

TV’s Favourite Choirmaster Returns To The Road On A Journey Of Musical Discovery Alongside Special Guests

Following two hugely successful nationwide tours in 2014 and 2015, TV presenter, classical choirmaster and musician extraordinaire Gareth Malone takes to the stage once again in a series of just six intimate live shows across the UK.

Gareth Malone is best known for his work on the BBC 2 programme The Choir, in which from series to series he takes on a range of daunting projects, attempting to form choirs from scratch with groups and organisations with no formal training, or indeed any singing experience at all. In a short space of time and against all odds, Gareth and the groups perform the seemingly impossible, rallying together on an emotional journey that culminates in the greatest performances of their lives.

This immensely popular show has won multiple awards including a BAFTA for Best Feature, as well as RTS and Broadcast accolades and continues to win the hearts and minds of the nation to this day.  The programme has given birth to new singing groups such as the chart topping Military Wives Choir, who achieved the official UK Christmas No.1 with their hit single Wherever You Are.

Gareth has been made a fellow of the Royal Academy of Music and in 2012 he was made OBE in the Queen's birthday honours list. A UK-wide hunt with Decca Records in 2013 to find the country's most talented young singers to form a new youth choir culminated in Gareth Malone's Voices, an album embodying his vision of the future of choral music. Most recently, Gareth formed the infamous Invictus Choir made up of wounded ex-armed services personnel to perform the song 'Flesh and Blood' at the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida.

Now in a celebration of all things choral, Gareth Malone will return to the stage at some of the UK’s finest concert venues, joined by special guest choirs and singers as he showcases the diversity of the music that inspires him. As Gareth explains:

“It's been two years since I was last on tour and I'm can't wait to get on the road and meet audiences up and down the country once again. This will be an intimate tour of some of my favourite music venues and I'll be showcasing the song that really matter to me. There'll be plenty of chances to singalong as well as opportunities to ask questions.   You'll hear great music and spend an evening celebrating the wonder of the human voice.  There'll be special guests, all sorts of fun, stories and laughter. And singing, definitely lots of singing. Roll on November!”

Audiences can expect beautiful renditions of the very best vocal music, teamed with anecdotes and stories from the plethora of adventures that Gareth has experienced throughout his remarkable career. A spectacular show not to be missed.

Noah & The Whale Frontman’s Brand New Theatre Production To Premiere At London’s The Old Vic Before Touring The UK

In an interconnected, digital world, what does it take to disappear?

Songwriter and lyricist Charlie Fink, formerfrontman of the highly successful band Noah and the Whale, multi-award winning playwright David Greig and director Max Webster team up to present Cover My Tracks, a unique production intertwining music and theatre that is set to premiere at London’s The Old Vic in June, before captivating audiences throughout the UK this summer

A two-hander starring Fink himself, Cover My Tracks tells the tale of an idealistic young songwriter attempting to write a 21st century pop masterpiece, who suddenly vanishes without a trace. Might his personal songbook be the key to unlocking the mystery?

Running at The Old Vic from 5th – 17th June, Cover My Tracks will then tour venues and festivals throughout the nation. As testament to Fink’s versatility and widespread appeal, the production will then be aired at the world renowned Latitude Festival in July, before moving on toregional venues, stopping at some of Britain and Ireland’s finest theatres and arts spaces.

The theatrical production of Cover My Tracks premieres in tandem with the release of Charlie Fink’s debut solo album of the same name, on sale 2 June 2017. The album, produced by Charlie Fink will feature studio arrangements of the music heard in the theatrical production with string arrangements by Trey Pollard(Natalie Prass, Matthew White), backing vocals from The Staves and acclaimed classical guitarist Laura Snowden.

As the lead singer-songwriter for the band Noah and the Whale, Charlie Fink sold over a million albums and headlined at notable venues around the world, including a sold-out show at the Royal Albert Hall. He was the producer of Laura Marling’s Mercury Prize nominated album Alas, I Cannot Swim and has written and produced music for artists including Charlotte Gainsbourg, Foxes, Rhodes and Eliot Sumner.

Fink’s initial foray into the theatre was also a collaboration with David Greig on their production of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, which debuted at The Old Vic in 2015 and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and Family show.

Now returning with a brand new production that brings together the experience of a live gig and a modern folk tale, Cover My Tracks will showcase the artistic versatility of its protagonists, bringing a truly entertainingshow to lovers of music, theatre and the arts nationwide.