Showing posts with label James Copus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James Copus. Show all posts

Friday, June 25, 2021

Alex Western-King - SideSlip (June 25, 2021 Ubuntu Music)

I have always found music the best way to communicate in moments of emotional turmoil. This album is a snapshot of one year of my life, documenting my growth out of a dark place and into the light.

This album would not be what it is without the incredible creativity and musicianship of Sam Leak on Piano, Jonny Wickham on Bass, Jay Davis on Drums and James Copus on trumpet.

I would like to give special thanks Alex Garnett for his guidance, for being a great friend and for being an inspiration to so many on the London Jazz scene. A special thanks also goes to Jonny Wickham for lending me his ear in the tune writing and mixing process and to Georgina Williams for the album artwork.

1. Make Way 05:11
2. Disorder Reordered 05:18
3. Dark Space 05:41
4. Inner Eye 06:57
5. SideSlip ft. James Copus 08:07
6. Toe The Line 05:11
7. The Long Road 05:25

Alex Western-King - Saxophone and Compositions
Sam Leak - Piano
Jonny Wickham - Bass
Jay Davis - Drums
James Copus - Trumpet

Produced by Alex Garnett
Mixed by Alex Bonney
Mastered by Peter Beckman
Album Art by Georgina Williams

Recorded by Ben Lamdin @ Fish Factory on 14th and 15th of September 2020

Saturday, March 27, 2021

Myele Manzanza - Crisis & Opportunity Vol. 1 / London (April 2, 2021 DeepMatter Records)


World-renowned drummer/composer, & producer/beatmaker, Myele Manzanza, has proved that he's an artist who continues to dissolve the borders between modern jazz and electronic beat production. Having released three solo albums, and racking up tours and collaborations with Jordan Rakei, Theo Parrish, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Recloose and Amp Fiddler amongst others. Myele is already developing a strong live presence in his new London base; his quartet has shared stages with the likes of Hiatus Kaiyote, The Bad Plus, Alfa Mist, and drawing packed houses to top venues such as The Jazz Café and Ronnie Scott’s.

Tapping into the vibrant scene of his adopted home, Myele now readies his next project on DeepMatter Records.

'Crisis & Opportunity' Vol.1 - London features a top tier cast of young London based talent including Ashley Henry (piano), James Copus (trumpet), George Crowley (tenor saxophone), Benjamin Muralt (bass) and additional contributions from the legendary Mark de Clive-Lowe (synths), with Myele Manzanza (drums) captaining the ship.
Born out of Myele’s necessity to direct his creative energy in a productive direction and maintain his growth as an artist during the 2020 Covid 19 lockdown, 'Crisis & Opportunity’ is a reflection of the time we currently live in as a global society. The EP draws the global health crisis, the parallel economic crisis as a consequence of the necessary lockdowns, and the broader racial crisis brought to the forefront as a result of the death of George Floyd. Whilst it has been a difficult time for Myele Manzanza as an artist, it’s offered him opportunities to pause, reflect, and set new creative directions.

Weaving his unique blend of forward-thinking genre-bending jazz, broken beat, electronica and world music, Manzanza drives ‘Crisis & Opportunity’ through a set of original compositions inspired by the city of London which he now calls home. 

1. Big Deal 2 (Bigger Deals)
2. Portobello Superhero
3. Brixton Blues
4. London
5. Crisis & Opportunity

Drums - Myele Manzanza
Piano - Ashley Henry
Trumpet - James Copus
Tenor Saxophone - George Crowley
Bass - Benjamin Muralt
Synths - Mark de Clive-Lowe

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Alex Hitchcock Quintet - Live at the London and Cambridge Jazz Festivals EP (May 11, 2018)


Saxophonist Alex Hitchcock (‘a fantastic talent' – Helen Mayhew, JazzFM) leads a powerhouse quintet that combines a compelling, adventurous ear for melody with virtuosic improvising. Highlights from the past year include performances at Love Supreme Festival, the Royal Albert Hall, Jazz in the Round, the London Jazz Festival and Pizza Express Jazz Club, as well as a tour of Hungary and Poland and radio play on BBC Radio 3 and JazzFM


Debut CD release from the Alex Hitchcock Quintet, recorded at the London Jazz Festival in 2016 and the Cambridge Jazz Festival in 2017.

'Sax virtuoso... one to watch' – Jazzwise

'A fantastic talent... undoubtedly one of the stars of the future' – Helen Mayhew, JazzFM

'The ideas and emotions cascading from his imagination... emerge as perfectly shaped notes and beautiful phrases from the bell of his saxophone. It’s a spellbinding process to witness’ – thejazzmann.com

1. Happy Ending
2. Gift Horse
3. Context
4. Wojciech

James Copus – trumpet / flugelhorn
Will Barry – piano / keyboard
Joe Downard – bass
Jay Davis – drums

All compositions by Alex Hitchcock

Recording, mixing and mastering by Viktor Volaric-Horvat at Undular Production