Sean Gibbs / Confluence

Release Date: 25th November 2022

CD & Digital Formats / UBU0124

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the upcoming release of composer and trumpet player Sean Gibbs’ upcoming album, Confluence, featuring a 17-piece big band of exceptional musicians.

Sean Gibbs is a prominent jazz trumpet player/composer based in London. He leads a quintet, whose critically acclaimed debut album was released with Ubuntu Music and awarded Five Stars in BBC Music Magazine.

Sean explains the idea behind his latest project: “Confluence is without doubt my biggest project to date. The title refers to different aspects of my musical and personal life, which seemed to come together at the right time to make it happen. It also represents the joyous gathering of so many incredible musicians and friends. I’m immensely grateful to everyone involved.”

Left to right: George Millard, Tom Dunnett, Chris Maddock, Calum Gourlay, Jay Davis, Freddie Gavita, Riley Stone-Lonergan, Helena Kay, Rob Brockway, Sean Gibbs, James Gardiner-Bateman, James Copus, Kieran McLeod, Tom Walsh, Richard Henry, Richard Foote, James Davison. (Dan Redding video footage)

Sean continues, concerning the music and the musicians for the project: “I was fortunate enough to be able to put together my dream big band lineup and record at AIR Studios. I wrote with the specific players in mind, and it was incredibly rewarding to hear what they brought to my compositions. I wanted to stay true to the fundamentals that resonate with me - lyrical melodies, hearty grooves and a deep connection to the blues. Having a world class 17-piece band to work with brought these concepts to new heights and opened up so many more possibilities.”

The 17-piece big band ensemble includes some of the most sought-after musicians on the jazz scene today:

Sean Gibbs – solo trumpet

Tom Walsh - trumpet

James Davison - trumpet

James Copus - trumpet/flugelhorn

Freddie Gavita – trumpet

Tom Dunnett – trombone

Kieran McLeod – trombone

Richard Foote – trombone

Richard Henry - bass trombone

George Millard - alto/soprano saxophone

James Gardiner-Bateman - alto saxophone

Helena Kay - tenor saxophone

Riley Stone-Lonergan - tenor saxophone

Chris Maddock - baritone saxophone

Rob Brockway – piano

Calum Gourlay – bass

Jay Davis - drums

Sean shares his thoughts about his continued relationship with Ubuntu Music: “I’m delighted to be releasing a second album with Ubuntu. Martin (Hummel) shows such enthusiasm and drive in everything that he does, and it’s a privilege to be on a label alongside many of my favourite musicians. Long may our relationship flourish!”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “It takes someone like Sean to be able to pull together a project of significant magnitude with such professionalism and quality. And the big band musician line-up is outstanding, with many of the individuals having appeared on previous Ubuntu releases. Sean’s been the star throughout. We are truly blessed to be a part of the project and can’t wait to share this music all over the world.”

For further information, please contact:

Sean Gibbs (Artist) seangibbs@hotmail.co.uk

Emma Perry (UK Publicity) emmasarahperry@gmail.com

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

Sean Gibbs Biography

Sean is a prominent jazz trumpet player/composer based in London. He leads a quintet, whose critically acclaimed debut album was released with Ubuntu Music and awarded Five Stars in BBC Music Magazine. He is a member of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, with which he has performed with guest soloists such as Kurt Elling, Joe Locke, Kenny Washington and Jazzmeia Horn. This has included appearances at some of the world’s most prestigious venues - New York’s Lincoln Center, Tokyo’s Bunka Kaikan and London’s Ronnie Scott’s.

Other groups Sean is a member of include the Calum Gourlay Big Band, Young Pilgrims, Martin Kershaw Octet, Paul Towndrow’s Keywork Orchestra and Mike Fletcher Jazz Orchestra. He has freelanced with a wide range of artists, including the likes of Georgia Cecile, Eliza Carthy, Hannah Williams and Chris Dean’s Syd Lawrence Orchestra. Sean also recently appeared on Daniel Casimir’s celebrated album Boxed In.

Sean is a prolific composer of big band music, including commissions for the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and Greater Manchester Jazz Orchestra. His compositions have been performed as far afield as the USA, by the University of Miami’s Frost Studio Jazz Band.

“When I spot trumpeter Sean Gibbs in a band my spirits lift; I know there will be spot on ensemble playing and expertly-turned, beautifully toned solos.”

--London Jazz News

“These fellows—braced with the blues, steeped in the swing classics, burnished with modernity—are going places.”

JazzTimes Magazine (USA)