Great reviews for Benjamin Croft and Alex Western King!
REVIEW: Alex Western-King 'SideSlip'
Jazz Mann’s Ian Mann writes, “An impressive début from Western-King, with some intelligent writing from the leader and some exemplary playing from all the musicians.”
For the full review, please click on the image, above.
REVIEW: Alex Western-King 'SideSlip'
Jazzed speaks with the hot tenor sax man.
INTERVIEW: Alex Western-King on bandleading and inspirations
English saxophonist Alex Western-King has toured extensively as a sideman, including with folks like Julian Siegel, Justin Stanton of Snarky Puppy, and Alex Garnett, as well as being a regular at Ronnie Scott’s in London. Though not a new name on the scene per se, it wasn’t until this year that he released his debut studio album, SideSlip, on 25th June with Ubuntu Music. Marrying his love of bebop and free jazz through a selection of original compositions, SideSlip is a confident first statement for the saxophonist.
For the full interview, please click on the image, above.
REVIEW: Alex Western-King 'SideSlip'
Bebop Spoken Here writes, “So, there you have it: Alex Western-King’s ballad album and his progressive jazz album on one disc.”
FEATURE: Alex Western-King (debut album on Ubuntu Music ‘SideSlip’, release 25 June)
Saxophonist Alex Western-King’s debut album SideSlip is to be released later this month on Ubuntu Music. In this feature by John Bungey, the young band leader explains the life choices that sparked a blossoming jazz career.
For the full feature, please click on the image, above.
VIDEO OF THE DAY: SAXOPHONIST ALEX WESTERN-KING SHARES NEW ALBUM TITLE TRACK 'SIDESLIP'
The emerging alto and tenor saxophonist lines up with his talented band on this post-bop original, writes Jazzwise Magazine.
SideSlip is saxophonist Alex Western-King’s debut album and features leading British musicians pianist Sam Leak, bassist Johnny Wickham and drummer Jay Davis as well as trumpeter James Copus on the title track. “This album is a meeting point between my love of straight-ahead bebop and the chaos and fragility of free jazz,” says Western-King. “There is a magical moment in which musicians sit perfectly on that line between Jazz and free improvisation.”
Two of Western-King’s seven compositions will be released ahead of the album – the title track and ‘Disorder Reordered’. The album’s title track takes its name from the way the tune moves in and out of different key centres and draws significant inspiration from Thelonious Monk’s ‘Epistrophy’. “I have always admired the playfulness of Monk’s angular melodies and how rhythm section players interact with them, and that was something I tried to capture in this tune.”
With ‘Disorder Reordered’ Western-King wanted to write a tune that captures the moment in which the music enters no-man’s land and the excitement this creates. “I first discovered my love of this musical balance listening to John Coltrane’s Transition, an album that creates an energy that I believe cannot be practised or transcribed,” explains Western-King. “I wanted to create a space in ‘Disorder Reordered’ in which my band felt that they could improvise without restriction whilst still clinging onto the sense of form and functionality found within Jazz.”
Watch the video below and for more info visit www.alexwesternking.com/
Ubuntu Music Signs Sax Talent Alex Western-King For Debut Album Release
SideSlip / UBU0086
18th June 2021
CD & Digital Formats
Left to right: Sam Leak, Alex Western-King, Jay Davis, Jonny Wickham. (Photography by Morven Brown)
Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of tenor saxophonist Alex Western-King for his debut album release, SideSlip, on 18th June 2021.
Alex is fast becoming one of the most talked about players on the London jazz scene. Having started music at a young age, Alex gained a place at the prestigious Wells Cathedral School at the age of 11 as a specialist musician on the Clarinet. Alex first discovered his love of jazz music at the age of 12 when hearing the school big band play, however it wasn’t until eight months before his music college auditions at the age of 16 that he decided to make the daring switch to study jazz saxophone. The risk paid off and Alex gained a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama from which he graduated with first class honours.
Alex has studied with some of the world’s leading jazz musicians including Jean Toussaint, Iain Ballamy, Stan Sulzmann, Gareth Lockrane and Alex Garnett, all of whom have made a lasting impact on his playing. Alex has had the honour of sharing the stage with some of the world's most renowned jazz musicians including Dame Cleo Laine, Alec Dankworth, Justin Stanton (Snarky Puppy), Julian Siegel, Gareth Lockrane and Alex Garnett.
“Equally adept on alto and tenor saxophone, Alex reaches deep into the core of jazz thus refining a personal statement and unfettered connection with both his fellow musicians and the audience - a swinging and robust player when riding the tempo of a number, he displays a rare sensitivity on ballads.”
--Paul Pace / Ronnie Scott’s
Alex Western King (Photography by Tom Gimson)
Alex is a regular at the Ronnie Scott’s Late Late Show and has performed in world-renowned venues including The Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Cadogan Hall, Union Chapel, The Vortex, Royal Festival Hall, Etihad Stadium and many others. Alex is also regularly on tour with one of the country's leading swing bands, the award-winning Down for the Count.
For his debut album, SideSlip, Alex has hand-picked some of the finest musicians from the London jazz scene to form his quartet. Revered jazz pianist Sam Leak is joined by the swingin’ combination of Jonny Wickham on bass and Jay Davis on the drums; all three musicians have impressive careers in their own right.
Left to right: Alex Western-King, Jonny Wickham, Sam Leak, Jay Davis. (Photography by Morven Brown)
As Alex explains it, “This album is a meeting point between my love of straight-ahead bebop and the chaos and fragility of free jazz. For my debut album I feel very lucky to be working with musicians who are among the very best on the scene and, more importantly, are people with whom I have a close personal connection. The chemistry that myself, Sam Leak, Jonny Wickham and Jay Davis have formed over our years of playing together allows us to constantly push creative boundaries within our improvisation. The addition of James Copus as a special guest is a dream for me, as he is someone whose playing I have admired for many years. I am delighted to have had this album produced by Alex Garnett, who has been a mentor and friend to me for many years.”
Alex Western-King (Photography by Morven Brown)
Concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu, Alex elaborates: “Working with Martin (Hummel) on my debut album is a complete blessing. He has been incredibly patient and supportive throughout every step and his love for jazz music shines through in every conversation we have. This is reflected in the incredible volume of world class musicians that he is working with at Ubuntu, all of whom I look up to as inspirations. I am honoured to join the Ubuntu family.”
Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, continues: “Alex is becoming a part of the fabric of the young and vibrant British jazz scene. He has deep respect for the roots of this music, while expressing it on his terms and in his voice. We are happy to welcome Alex to the Ubuntu Family.”
For further information, please contact:
Alex Western-King alex.wk@hotmail.co.uk
Martin Hummel/Ubuntu Music (Worldwide): martin@ubuntumanagementgroup.com