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!”

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

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)