Ubuntu Music Signs Composer/Saxophonist Tim Garland for Spectacular Album Release

Tim Garland / Moment Of Departure

Release Date: 3rd May 2024

Double CD, Digital & Double Vinyl Formats / UBU0155

Tim Garland (Photographer: Stefan Booth)

Ubuntu Music, in collaboration with ECN Music, is delighted to announce the signing of composer/arranger/musician Tim Garland, for the release of Moment of Departure, an extraordinary project.

This is the most ambitious project of Tim's stellar career, with a celebration of Lighthouse Trio's 20th Anniversary (Gwilym Simcock and Asaf Sirkis), along with a stunning display of Tim's prowess as a composer and arranger with the Britten Sinfonia, featuring violinist Thomas Gould, along with trumpet ace Yazz Ahmed performing as a special guest on one track.

Writer/musician/broadcaster/jazz historian Alyn Shipton wrote the compelling liner notes for the album, capturing the essence of this masterpiece.

Lighthouse Trio: Gwilym Simcock, Asaf Sirkis, Tim Garland

Tim, in his own words, describes the project: “That Moment of Departure, from the known, the notated, towards something new is a shout of fearless freedom. The compositions on this album all have crucial and varied relationships with improvised music, from string orchestra to intimate trio, and completely free-form music. Classical influences and visual art have informed me, as much as my jazz heart. The series of paintings called Sail To Hope, by Esra Kizir Gokcen, provide a backbone of inspiration for the first disc’s music. The subject of journeying into the unknown, as well as the influence of Turkish rhythms, create the background atmosphere whilst maintaining the spaciousness and freedom for the jazz soloists.”

Tim continues, describing in detail the music contained within each of the two parts of this release:

PART ONE: “‘Winds Of Hope’, ‘Trails’, ‘No Horizon and ‘The Impossible Self’ show the trio in full flight - with the string orchestra guesting on the opening track which has an almost fanfare-like quality. The others are more searching, reaching an eccentric and virtuosic climax on track four - a kind of searching for the impossible!

“Continuing along, ‘Sub Vita’ invites Yazz Ahmed, whose beautiful flugelhorn sound depicts life under our oceans here.

“Moment Of Departure, the title track, is a composition built around recorded spontaneous improvisations, scored for string orchestra, the normal order of ‘improvising over a composition’ is reversed, the orchestral score is composed around the improvs, with a climax joining the material together with angular driving rhythms.

“The final sparse ‘Moment Of Arrival’ is an open ended coda, featuring the haunting bass clarinet.”

Thomas Gould, Tim Garland (Photographer: Laura Bodo)

PART TWO: “This features violinist Thomas Gould joining The Lighthouse Trio firstly in an interpretation of Vivaldi’s ‘Winter’. ‘Approaching Winter’ also features the string section of the Britten Sinfonia and demands all four soloists to depart from the written page into freewheeling expressivity and jazz improvisation, whilst the composition honours all of Vivaldi’s themes, deriving the “opened up” sections, from them.

“’The Forever Seed’ was written two years earlier. I had wanted to write a concerto for Thomas for a long time and, enjoying his ability to loosen himself from the written page, created improvised interludes between the movements. I do not play on this but conducted the orchestra, which includes a cimbalom. This instrument acts rather like glue, playing in the improvised sections along with Simcock and Gould, as well as the string orchestra. The music here is a nostalgic dedication to the pastoral classical music I heard in the family home as a child.”

Tim Garland (Photographer: Stefan Booth)

Concerning his new relationship with the Ubuntu Music record label, Tim elaborates: “I am delighted to be partnering with Ubuntu on this, my most ambitious release to date: ‘Moment Of Departure’ has allowed me to exercise my passion as composer and inhabit the hybrid worlds within the musical genres I love so much. I thank Martin (Hummel) and the Ubuntu team for having faith in this double release!”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “Tim always has been and remains one of my absolute favourite artists, as a composer, arranger and as a multi-instrumentalist. When the opportunity surfaced to represent what is arguably the most ambitious undertaking of his illustrious career, it was a dream come true, for the label and for me. ‘Moment Of Departure’ is a mesmerizing musical journey of two halves: the 20th anniversary of the Lighthouse Trio, and an extension of this by showcasing Tim’s compositional and arrangement skills to also include the Britten Sinfonia orchestra, featuring the exceptional talent of violinist Thomas Gould. The artwork for the project was created by the gifted painter, Esra Kizir Gokcen, depicting the plight into the unknown. The music refuses to be categorized. Is it Jazz? Classical? ‘Jazzical’? ‘Clazz’? Frankly, it really doesn’t matter. Its effect will draw listeners from various musical persuasions to celebrate a strikingly exceptional cacophony of genres to please the head, the heart and the soul. We are absolutely delighted to have Tim join the Ubuntu Music Family. May this be the start of many more to come on our journey together.”

The Lighthouse Trio, in a rehearsal session for Trails. The finished version appears on the album.

For further information, please contact:

Tim Garland (Artist): timgarland@me.com

Emma Perry/UK Publicity:  emma@ecnmusic.com

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

Tim Garland (Photographer: Stefan Booth)

BIOGRAPHY

Throughout an international career starting in the late 1980’s, Tim Garland has become known as a unique polymath in the UK’s music scene.

His first break as saxophonist was joining Ronnie Scott's band age 23. Later he was to join Chick Corea as a regular member of several globe-trotting projects over a seventeen year period including The Vigil. Playing tenor and soprano saxes, bass clarinet, and flute, he also won a Grammy for his symphonic orchestrations on Corea’s The New Crystal Silence album from 2007.

Garland has fulfilled commissions from several of the world’s top orchestras, including  a double concerto from the LSO, a piano concerto for Gwilym Simcock from The Royal Northern Sinfonia, with whom he went on to record three albums, a cello and sax concerto from the CBSO, and a sax concerto from the BBC Concert Orchestra.

His concert works continue to celebrate the fertile ground between modern composition and jazz. His creative arranging skills have won much praise from such diverse artists as Jean Luc Ponty, John Patitucci, The Royal Holloway and Westminster Choirs, the Catalan National Cobla Group, the LPO, the London Session Orchestra, NYJO as well as Chick Corea.

His work is often inspired by, but not limited to, the jazz idiom, whilst his celebrated virtuosity as a saxophonist maintains his position as one of the UK’s most unique and authentic jazz voices.

In 2016 he premiered Re:Focus (a re-imagining of the Getz /Sauter project of 1962 ‘Focus’) to a full house at London’s Wigmore Hall, which in 2020 has been released for public purchase. Luca’s Winter, a 100-minute work for big band, was performed at Manchester’s Royal Northern College Of Music (where he held an international post as research fellow).

As a band leader and co-leader, he is responsible for much of the output of the groups; Lammas, The Underground Orchestra, Storms / Nocturnes (feat. Joe Locke and Geoffrey Keezer), Acoustic Triangle, the last few years of Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, the duet with Jason Rebello and The Lighthouse Trio, (featuring Gwilym Simcock and Asaf Sirkis). This final group makes a 20th anniversary come-back tour and release during 2024!

Ubuntu Music Signs Pianist/Composer/Arranger Simon Lasky for Album Release

Simon Lasky Group / For the Dreamers

Release Date: 22nd March 2024

CD & Digital Formats / UBU0158

Simon Lasky (Photographer: Jayne Drooger)

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of pianist/composer/arranger Simon Lasky, for the release of For the Dreamers on Ubuntu Music. The release date is 22nd March 2024.

Simon’s latest project features his recently formed U.S. Jazz Octet with three front line horns and vocals. There are special guest appearances by leading U.K. jazz artists, including Tim Garland and Paul Booth and, for the first time, Simon’s arrangements appear alongside his original compositions.

Simon explains his thinking behind For the Dreamers: “I think that, deep down, I always knew (hoped!) that I would spend some time in America one day; form a band there; do some concerts; and record an album. My only surprise is that it took me until my mid-forties to do it! I wanted to harness my love for many genres of American music, utilise local American musicians and compose music for that particularly confident way they have of playing. This is the resulting album!

“However, most of the compositions and arrangements on this record were penned during a very challenging time: I had some major health problems (which resulted in double jaw surgery), I lost my father, and - like so many of my colleagues during the global pandemic - there were times I doubted how, when and where we would make music again. Yet, throughout that time, music was there as a companion, a comfort, and a source of hope. When I was composing the music on this record, I was transported away from those challenging daily realities. Composing helps me dream! So, despite the challenging circumstances of its inception, the music on this record is unfailingly optimistic. It explores notions of heroism, flight, fancy and dreaming. And it's the 'American' record I always dreamed I would make!”

Simon Lasky (Photographer: Jayne Drooger)

Regarding the music itself, Simon shares his perspective: “The music on this album represents many firsts for me, in my recording career so far: It’s the first music I've released since winning the 2018 British Composer Award (now Ivors Composer Awards) in the Jazz Composition for Small Ensemble category for 'Close to Ecstasy'. It's the first time I have recorded and released some of my arrangements, which appear alongside my own compositions. It's the first time I've recorded with a full horn section. And it's the first time I've recorded with vocals. The album is based around my core rhythm section of some of the finest players from the Tampa Bay jazz scene (Elias Tona - bass/Peter Mongaya - guitar/Jonathan Thomas - drums). They have a punchy and strident way of playing, and I have written with those strengths in mind. I wanted to feature horn players from both sides of the pond and, on ‘Closer to The Sky’, I have fulfilled a 25-year-old ambition of recording with a childhood hero and one of my favourite musicians (saxophonist, Tim Garland).

“I am particularly attracted to the idea of making a relatively small ensemble (the Octet on this record) sound as big and symphonic as possible. Weather Report and the Pat Metheny Group come to mind as obvious models for that 'epic' sound from small forces. And, as is always the case, my charts are through-composed, driven by a strong compositional narrative and I hope to take the listener on a journey. Maybe they can dream too!”

Left to right: Simon Lasky, Peter Mongaya, Ona K, Jonathan Thomas, Jack Wilkins, James Suggs, Elias Tona, Aaron West (Photographer: Jayne Drooger)

Concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu Music, Simon elaborates: “I have known Martin (Hummel) for a number of years and I know how highly my friends and colleagues in the jazz world regard him. Martin is on the side of the musician. And in the current, increasingly complex, musical landscape - which is daunting and bewildering to many independent artists - having Ubuntu Music in your corner, fighting for and with you, is immensely valuable. I am thrilled that my new album is with Ubuntu and I am excited about developing this relationship moving forward.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “Simon is an artist of multiple strengths – composing, arranging and performing as a pianist – who also seems equally at ease on both sides of the pond – the US and his native UK. We were excited with the opportunity to partner with Simon with his latest project, ‘For the Dreamers’, which highlights Simon’s development as an evolving artist, while venturing into new territory. It’s a celebration of the good things in life and we are delighted that Simon brings this to the Ubuntu Music Family.”

For further information, please contact:

Simon Lasky (Artist):  simon_lasky@yahoo.co.uk

Lisa Reedy/Lisa Reedy Promotions (USA):  lisareedy0@gmail.com

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

SIMON LASKY BIOGRAPHY

Simon Lasky (Photographer: Jayne Drooger)

British composer/pianist, Simon Lasky, is known on both sides of the Atlantic for his expansive and melodic jazz compositions and arrangements which draw on his background as an improvising pianist and classically trained composer. Born in London, but now living in Central Florida, Simon’s composition ‘Close To Ecstasy’ won the 2018 Ivors Composer Award in the ‘Jazz Composition for Small Ensemble’ category. Upon receiving the award, BBC Radio 3 presenter Andrew McGregor described the winning composition as “a joyous exuberant piece, brilliantly crafted on all levels, and with great textural and melodic writing.” In 2019 Simon was awarded a Fellowship to complete his Masters in Jazz Studies at The University of South Florida, working as assistant to five time GRAMMY nominated jazz composer Chuck Owen.

“Lasky’s music is atmospheric, melodic, airy, thoughtful and often influenced by the Pat Metheny Group without being too derivative.”

--Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Scene

“There are certainly plenty of moments, in ‘About the Moment’ that take your breath away.”

—Rob Mallows, London Jazz News

As a recording artist, Simon signed with independent British jazz label – ‘33Jazz’ Records – in 2015, releasing two albums of his own compositions under the Simon Lasky Group banner. His music has been broadcast extensively on BBC Radio and JazzFM in the U.K and on NPR and the CBC in North America, and his compositions for the concert platform have been performed in London’s Barbican Hall, South Bank Centre and St John’s Smith Square. Simon’s arrangement of ‘Over The Rainbow’ for string quartet was performed by The Afiara Quartet in London’s Wigmore Hall in 2015, and subsequently in 15 countries across the globe

An in-demand member of the London jazz scene for 15 years, Simon taught jazz piano, composition, harmony and General Musicianship at Trinity College of Music (now Trinity Laban) in London from 2005-2018. He was Head of Jazz at Bradfield College during the same period. He currently lives in Tampa, FL working as a pianist and band leader on the Central FL jazz scene and as an NPR jazz host 3 nights a week on WUSF 89.7FM.

Following awards to partake in the Winter Residency Programme at The Banff Centre in Canada in 2013 and 2014, Simon developed his unique ‘It’s All Music’ educational concept which he has presented to both specialist and non-specialist audiences in Canada and throughout the U.K.

During the 2020 lockdown Simon developed his ‘At Home With’ interview series, presenting in-depth conversations with some of the world’s leading jazz artists, including Vince Mendoza, John McLaughlin, Bob James, Joe Locke, Billy Childs and others. The interviews are all available on YouTube.

In 2023, Simon signed with Ubuntu Music, the London-based progressive jazz record label, for the release of For the Dreamers, his latest project.

“Uplifting improvisational grooves, classy chops, and exotic percussions, there’s no shortage of beautifully striking moments.…”

—All About Jazz (‘About the Moment’ album review)

FEATURE: Paul Mottram – Balancing Composition & Improvisation & the “Seven Ages of Man”

Jazz Views’ Nick Lea speaks with the prolific composer.

REVIEW: Paul Mottram

The Scotsman’s Jim Gilchrist writes, “Some jazz purists may shake their heads, but this is a thing of beauty nonetheless.” FOUR STARS ★★★★

Paul Mottram: Seven Ages of Man (Ubuntu Music) ****

This richly toned suite for jazz sextet and string orchestra by TV and film composer Paul Mottram features the soprano sax of Tim Garland alongside pianist Jason Rebello and Jonny Mansfield on vibes, bassist Misha Mullov-Abbado, drummer Ralph Salmins and percussionist Paul Clarvis. Shakespeare’s infant-to-old-age chronology expands to nine movements, and from its haunting solo opening strains in Origins to the stately resolution of Old Age, Garland’s soprano sax twines beguilingly through the shimmer of strings, escorted empathetically by Rebello and Mansfield, as in the dreamlike Gestation movement. Piano and vibes add brio to the jaunty progress of Schoolboy, Rebello sets the scene elegantly for Lover, which becomes increasingly vivacious with sax and vibes, while Garland’s bass clarinet pooters about the fitfully stalking Pantaloon, with sumptuous string echoes of Autumn Leaves. Some jazz purists may shake their heads, but this is a thing of beauty nonetheless. Jim Gilchrist

REVIEW: Paul Mottram

All About Jazz’s Paul Duggan writes, “This is powerful and exquisitely crafted compositional writing. The balance and interlacing of scored and improvised, within the structure of a classical piece, is highly impressive. A compelling and engaging listen.” 4.5 Stars!

London Jazz News Feature

Ten Tracks by Tim Garland I Can’t Do Without… by Paul Mottram

FEATURE: Paul Mottram

London Jazz News’ John Bungey writes, “By any measure, Paul Mottram’s suite for jazz sextet and orchestra is set to be among the most ambitious UK jazz or jazz-related album releases this year.”

VIDEO OF THE DAY: Paul Mottram

Jazzwise Magazine’s Video of the Day: Paul Mottram shares epic symphonic jazz track featuring Tim Garland.

Ubuntu Music Signs Composer Paul Mottram for Release of Epic Project ft. Tim Garland & Jason Rebello

Paul Mottram / Seven Ages of Man

Release Date: 6th October 2023

CD & Digital Formats / UBU0140

Paul Mottram (Photographer: Julian Hubbard)

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of composer Paul Mottram, for the release of a major project that blends jazz and classical music within a fascinating project concept.

Seven Ages of Man is a large-scale concert work scored for Jazz Sextet and String Orchestra which weaves jazz improvisation and grooves within a tight thematically developed classical structure. Organised by the ‘Seven Ages of Man’ concept from medieval art and literature, it forms an atmospheric personal reflection on the stages of a single human life cycle, taking cues from Shakespeare’s description of life in terms of characters from a play: Infant, Schoolboy, Lover, Soldier, Judge, Pantaloon and the Second Childhood of Old Age.

Abbey Road / Studio 1, London

The large string section projects a real sense of scale and emotional depth to the piece both supporting and integrated with the Jazz Sextet.

The work was written for acclaimed jazz musician and long-standing friend Tim Garland (soprano/tenor sax and bass clarinet) who performs as the principal soloist, and it alsofeatures Jason Rebello on piano and Jonny Mansfield on vibraphone.

Tim Garland

Paul describes how he conceived the highly ambitious project: “Writing ‘Seven Ages of Man’ was an incredible opportunity to bring together all the strands of my musical persona. I could draw on my background as a classical musician steeped in Jazz, fused with a media composer’s ear for conveying the emotions of a story through music. It’s always been an ambition of mine to write a classically structured long form jazz composition for Tim Garland, who’s been a friend and an inspiration since we met at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in the 80s. It’s been a privilege to assemble such a distinguished band of musicians with Jason Rebello (piano) and Jonny Mansfield (vibraphone) also taking soloing roles. Ralph Salmins (drums), Misha Mullov-Abbado (bass) and Paul Clarvis (percussion) complete the Jazz Sextet. I didn’t compromise either with the size of the string orchestra line up, contracted by Isobel Griffiths, and that with recording in the wonderful acoustic of Abbey Road Studio 1 gives the whole album a real sense of scale, something I was after from the outset.”

Tim Garland and Paul Mottram

Paul continues, describing the relationship with his new record label: “In Ubuntu Music, it feels great to have found such an excellent and welcoming home for the ‘Seven Ages of Man’ album. The hybrid musical style of the piece is hard to quantify in the classical/ jazz spectrum but at its’ core the principal soloists of the piece are jazz musicians of the highest order and that sits well with the fine roster of talent on the label. The stylistic breadth of the catalogue also leads me to believe that ‘Seven Ages’ will fit right in with the broad ‘no boundaries’ vision that Martin Hummel has for Ubuntu.”

Paul Mottram

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, gives his parting thoughts: “I was absolutely blown away by the scale, the quality and the inherent appeal of this project, in every single aspect - from the concept, to the compositions, to the musicians, to the quality of the recording itself. Paul is meticulous in his craftsmanship, paying considerable attention to each and every detail. And it’s clearly evident in the end result. Having world class musicians like Tim Garland and Jason Rebello, personal heroes of mine, makes this project even more special. This is a genre-defining release that’s certain to reward both classical and jazz fans alike. We cannot wait to ultimately bring this project to live audiences, whenever and wherever possible. It’s a pleasure to be a part of something so special, and to welcome Paul, the outstanding musicians in the sextet and the exceptional string orchestra into the Ubuntu Music Family.”

For further information, please contact:

Paul Mottram (Artist):  paul@paulmottram.com

Emma Perry (UK Publicity):  emmasarahperry@gmail.com

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

WEBSITES

https://paulmottram.com/

https://www.weareubuntumusic.com/

https://www.ubuntumanagementgroup.com/

PAUL MOTTRAM BIOGRAPHY

Paul Mottram has forged an extremely successful career as one of the most prolific and versatile media composers in the UK, with an enviable back catalogue of compositions. His ability to cut to the emotional heart of the subject matter with a sophisticated melodic multi-layered compositional style has also enabled him to deliver concert music which resonates deeply with the audience.

Classically trained as a violinist, pianist and composer at the Royal College of Music, Cambridge University and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Paul quickly began working as an orchestrator on films such as Chaplin, Shirley Valentine and Rain Man. Later, moving into commercials, he also started writing music for BBC radio 4 shows in the 90s, such as In the Red and Babblewick Hall, and television, with the hit spoof documentary series People Like Us (1999).

As one of the founder composers at production music library Audio Network in the early 2000s, Paul began producing a prodigious line of albums which continues to this day (his latest album, Intimate Canvas, came out on streaming platforms in February 2023). You would be hard pressed to watch an evening’s television without hearing his compositions, featured in 100s of shows such as The Great British Bake Off, The Apprentice, Downton Abbey, Doctor Who, The Crown, QI, Big Mouth, Travel Man and Upstart Crow. His music has also been featured in films such as Bad Santa and The Bee Movie and cinematic trailers such as for the Oscar winning film, Blue Jasmine. 

A fascination with Jazz has always had a major impact on Paul’s concert music output. Over the years he has written for musicians such as The Swingle Singers, The Underground Orchestra, Fine Arts Brass Ensemble, Superbrass and the Dunedin Consort. Moccasin Trail was written for saxophonist John Harle’s band and features on ‘The John Harle Collection: Vol 15’ and a saxophone/ piano version was premiered by John at a Wigmore Hall recital broadcast on BBC Radio 3. In 2015, the song cycle Falls, (initially commissioned and performed by the Dunedin Consort) was performed at the Snape Maltings by the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and his Gospel Jazz composition for choir with rhythm section Come Spirit was premiered by the Chapter House Choir in York Minster.

Seven Ages of Man, a new 70-minute suite and album written for world class jazz musicians Tim Garland and Jason Rebello, is Paul’s biggest and most ambitious work yet and a remarkable synthesis of his classical, jazz and media music roots. Writing to his own brief, the work has enabled him to explore the intersection between his musical worlds and write something on a grander and more profound scale.