Monkin’ Around / 4 in 1

Release Date: 4th October 2024

CD & Digital Formats / UBU0179

Luke Fowler, Dave O’Higgins, Billy Pod (Photographer: Dave O’Higgins)

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the continuation of its relationship with saxophonist Dave O’Higgins, with Monkin’ Around, a new trio project to be released 4th October on Ubuntu Music.

Monkin’ Around is, at its heart, a trio of drums, bass and sax from all around the globe. Luke Fowler (from Australia) on bass, Billy Pod (from Greece) on drums, and Dave O’Higgins (of English-Irish-Mexican extraction) on sax. It was born at the Troubadour in London’s Earls Court. Dave had completed a tour in 2019 with guitarist Rob Luft where they played all 70-odd compositions by Thelonious Monk. Not wanting this hard work to go to waste, it was suggested that the trio adopt this repertoire. As Dave explains, “With no chordal instrument, it was an interesting challenge that demanded some degree of re-interpretation. The trio is purpose-made for small, intimate acoustic venues. But what if a club has a Steinway piano? Well, it seemed a shame to eschew this option completely, so the virtuosic Canadian pianist, Sean Fyfe, was added as a guest star on five tunes. Conversely, adding a second horn with no piano also seemed a fine idea for special occasions, and this is where Martin Shaw, my longtime frontline collaborator, came in for four tracks. So, we therefore have 1) a trio, 2) a quartet with piano, 3) a quartet with trumpet, and - why the hell not - 4) a quintet with everyone. Thus, we present ‘4 in 1’. We hope the audience will have as much fun listening to our interpretations of these great (and some rarely played) Monk tunes as we did in creating them.”

The tracks for 4 in 1 were recorded over two separate sessions in the JVG studio tradition - everyone in the same room, no headphones, just like they play on a gig. This is very “old school” and doesn’t allow for things like clinical separation or repairs but, on a good day, it’s often much more intuitive and enjoyable for the musicians.

Dave shares his thoughts on the continuing relationship with Ubuntu Music: “This is a new band Ubuntu, but I’ve appeared on a number of releases to date, and it was on my high recommendation that the band followed suit. We’re thrilled to add this project to the roster and see where it takes us. Martin Hummel and the Ubuntu team are a serious force of good in the world music scene.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “It’s both a privilege and a pleasure to work with Dave and to represent his multi-dimensional musical talent. The first phase of our relationship started with Dave and guitarist Rob Luft, and the project, ‘O’Higgins & Luft Play Monk & Trane’. This was a very successful venture. In some ways, ‘4 in 1’ takes this to a new and interesting place, only with a twist in the tail which Dave is so well known for. With scintillating performances from Luke Fowler and Billy Pod, this is an excellent, flexible, layered offering with something in it for all jazz fans. We are happy to be a part of it.”

For further information, please contact:

Dave O’Higgins (Artist): ohig@mac.com

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

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