Jazz Journal’s Jeremy Isaac writes, “this is the business.”
Ubuntu Music in June's Jazzwise Magazine
Another great representation of Ubuntu artists.
Nigel Price / Takes 5
Nigel Price / Live Dates
Charting the Jazz Message
Jacky Naylor / Taking Off
Roy Mor Album Review
Gig Guide
Ubuntu Music Signs OK Aurora for Album Release in Summer 2021
“OK Aurora, described as ‘an eight-piece jazz-meets-pop ensemble’ are releasing their album ‘Only in Autumn’ in July 2021 on Ubuntu. The album was recorded in the Giant Wafer Studio in Wales”, writes Juliette Kay.
L-R: Alexandra Ridout, Ronan Perrett, Billy Marrows, Rod Oughton, Alina Miroshnichenko,
Pete Komor, Dan Smith, Jacky Naylor (Photo: Andrew Lawson)
For the complete article, please click on the image, above.
Ubuntu Music Signs OK Aurora For Album Release
Only In Autumn
30th July 2021
UBU0088 / CD & Digital Formats
Left to Right: Alexandra Ridout, Ronan Perrett, Billy Marrows, Rod Oughton, Alina Miroshnichenko, Pete Komor, Dan Smith, Jacky Naylor (Photography by Andrew Lawson)
Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of OK Aurora, and eight-piece jazz-meets-pop ensemble, for the release of their album, Only in Autumn, on 30th July 2021.
OK Aurora are a London based Octet led by drummer Rod Oughton. Taking inspiration from artists such as Steely Dan and Becca Stevens, this project fuses contemporary jazz and pop music. Their debut EP, Baby Zeza, was released in 2019, and since then the band has performed all over the UK, including venues in London, Bristol and the South-West. In 2020, the Arts Council of England funded OK Aurora’s UK tour and the recording of their upcoming debut album, Only in Autumn, which was recorded at Giant Wafer Studio in Wales.
The band is led by Rod Oughton, an up-and-coming jazz drummer based in London. Since graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music in 2015, Rod has performed all over the UK and Europe, as well as in Havana, Cuba and the Dubai Opera House. He has appeared on the main stages of the Latitude and Citadel Festivals with Hudson Taylor, in Cadogan Hall with the James Taylor Quartet and with emerging Pop star Hannah Grace at the BST Festival in Hyde Park (supporting Barbara Streisand).
Alina Miroshnichenko and Rod Oughton (Video Image)
The eight-piece outfit consists of a number of emerging musicians on the UK jazz scene, including Alina Miroshnichenko (vocals), Alexandra Ridout (trumpet), Ronan Perrett (alto sax), Dan Smith (tenor sax), Jacky Naylor (piano), Billy Marrows (guitar), Pete Komor (bass), along with Rod Oughton (drums and compositions).
OK Aurora Video Images
Rod explains the idea behind the project: “OK Aurora was formed to make a big sound. It’s an eight-piece band, including three horns and a singer, so it’s a lot of fun when we all get going. I take a lot of influence from artists such as Steely Dan and Becca Stevens, who blur the lines between pop and jazz, and I’ve always tried to write in a way that allows the musicians to stretch out but is also accessible to an audience that might not be too familiar with jazz.”
Rod continues: “The music on this album draws influence from many different parts of the world, from Laurel Canyon to Rio De Janeiro. I really love samba, salsa and soukous (The Three S’s!) and in the last few years I’ve travelled to Brazil, Cuba and various parts of East Africa to experience these styles of music in their natural habitat. I think these trips have really influenced my writing style. The songs I’ve written are all inspired by my own personal experiences, and I love the way that Alina Miroshnichenko (vocalist) has interpreted my lyrics. She makes my stories her own and translates them to the listener.”
Describing their new relationship with Ubuntu Music, Rod concludes: “I’m super happy to sign to Ubuntu, as I feel honoured to be part of their community. So many artists on their roster are not only incredible musicians, but also my friends and peers. I feel as though this label is a great representation of some of the amazing stuff that’s going on in the UK right now, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, adds his perspective: “I was absolutely knocked out when I listened to the title track, ‘Only in Autumn’, and the rest is history. Rod and OK Aurora have a distinct sound all their own. It’s accessible jazz with contemporary music twist, that’s bound to put a smile on your face and movement in your feet. We’re happy to have OK Aurora join us.”
For further information, please contact:
Rod Oughton (Artist) rodoughton@outlook.com
Martin Hummel (Ubuntu Music) martin@ubuntumanagementgroup.com
Ubuntu Music to Release Pianist Jacky Naylor’s Latest Project
The Industrial Suite
UBU0085: Digital Format
Release Date: 9th April 2021
Jacky Naylor (Photography by Brian Homer)
Ubuntu Music is pleased to announce the continuation of its relationship with gifted pianist Jacky Naylor, for the release of his commissioned project, The Industrial Suite.
Jacky describes the project: “The great thing about this commission was that it enabled me to put together a new ensemble, featuring some of my favourite musicians: Tom Syson (Trumpet), Alex Hitchcock (Tenor), Harry Maund (Trombone) Will Sach (Double Bass) and Luca Caruso (Drums). The last year has been very different to previous years, with vastly reduced performance opportunities, but due to generous support from Arts Council England, we were able to rehearse and record this project. In addition, I invited videographer Tom Sankey to film the recording process, and document three pieces from the suite.”
Jacky continues, regarding the music of Industrial Suite: “‘Industrial’ is a suite of music I wrote in response to a commission from Lancaster Jazz Festival. It’s based on the textile mills and factories in the North of England, which are not only a big part of my own family’s history, but the history of many other northern families. The suite consists of five pieces, each with their own narrative and character, ranging from the busy mill-yard and heavy clunky machinery, to workers’ strikes and disputes, via a train ride through the Yorkshire countryside when the mills closed for Wakes Weeks.”
And Jacky shares his thoughts about his label: “Having worked alongside Martin (Hummel) for my trio release with Meraki earlier last year, I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the Ubuntu family. There are so many incredible musicians on the label, and it’s a privilege to release my music alongside them.”
Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “Jacky is all about talent, brains and drive. Working with him on Meraki, his trio album, was an absolute pleasure. We’re delighted to continue this productive and fulfilling relationship with Jacky, as a special Ubuntu family member.”
For further information, please contact:
Jacky Naylor info@jackynaylor.com
Martin Hummel (Ubuntu Music) martin@ubuntumanagementgroup.com
REVIEW: MERAKI
Jazz Journal’s Mark Youll writes, “the music points to European trios, pianists such as Kit Downes and Gwilym Simcock and, when the music trips over into more abstract territory, groups like Phronesis or E.S.T..”
For the full review, please click on the image, above.
Meraki hits the jackpot with a ★★★★★ (5/5) review from UK Vibe!
Alan Musson writes, “This is an album that reveals its pleasures slowly but will certainly repay repeated listening. I’m already looking forward to their next album.”
MERAKI ‘MERAKI’ CD (UBUNTU MUSIC) 5/5
For the full review, please click on the image, above.
London Jazz News Loves Meraki's Debut!
LJN’s Amy Sibley-Allen writes, “The self-titled debut album from North Yorkshire-born composer and pianist Jacky Naylor’s trio Meraki is certainly music for the soul. “
Meraki Goes Dutch with 4.5 Stars!
The Dutch music publication, Written in Music, features Dick Hovenga’s review of their debut album. Hovenga writes, “Meraki is one of those albums where the talent really shines.”
The British jazz trio Meraki is actually a trio around the great pianist Jacky Naylor. Again such a bizarre talent that is conquering the world with a lot of adventure and fascinating technology. In addition, optimally fed by his great band mates Nick Jurd (bass) and Jonathan Silk (drums). Men who have both been praised for their technically gifted game and an adventurous spirit.
Naylor started with Meraki with the great European piano trios in mind. With Jurd and Silk there, Meraki had to become a trio that would immediately capture the imagination, both in the compositions and the way the band would play them. At the same time it had to accommodate an individuality that would appeal to the imagination.
For four years they worked hard to define their own sound and now that their debut is here we can say that they have succeeded optimally. Meraki is truly a striking new jazz trio that puts you on the tip of your seat from the first notes of opening track 3 lives. It is a wonderfully tumbling over each other in layers at the same time very handsome composition that defiantly captures the class of the trio.
Where 3 lives right away already impressively shows what this trio is capable of, they rise straight to world class with the following 43 lives. What a wonderfully exuberant, downright virtuoso composition that is right! Typically such a composition that you want to hear again immediately after listening and at an even heavier volume. In two sides of the same coin, which follows immediately after, the class shines just as hard.
Naylor is a fascinating great talent who knows how to play on a wide range of emotions with a fabulous technique and wonderful free play. He is also a pianist who has an impressive hand of composing. Meraki's debut has a nice diversity of compositions, each with its own rich timbre and dynamics.
But Meraki is of course much more than Naylor. It is a fantastic group of musicians who know best what to do with the stack of wonderfully adventurous compositions. Adventure, fascinating technique and great playing pleasure is what gives this debut album an irresistible power. And the great Jurd and Silk are just as essential to the band's sound as Naylor.
Meraki’s debut is full of impressive compositions. You can clearly hear that the trio of musicians have taken the time to fully absorb the music, deepen it, and let it come to full maturity. Pieces like sherpa, dr jekyll and mr hyde, in a sailing boat and the unparalleled album closure simple things are just as strong as the aforementioned tracks. Always rich in adventurous arrangements and performance and heart-strengthening as really good debut albums can be.
Meraki marks the birth of a very promising new piano trio. So much great musical class can never pass unnoticed. Meraki is one of those albums where the talent really shines.
Meraki's First Album Review is Brilliant!
Bebop Spoken Here’s Steve Harris writes, “The interaction of the 3 players is remarkable as is their skilled playing - Naylor is a great pianist, double bassist Nick Jurd and drummer Jonathan Silk are top soloists in their own right.”
