Jazz Views’ Nick Lea writes, “Quite simply this album is top notch... it doesn't get much better than this.”
Richardson's 'Move' gets a Big Four Stars!
All About Jazz’s Roger Farbey whites, “With its strong tunes and consummate performances, the thoroughly excellent Move consolidates Richardson's position as a genuine rising star in the jazz firmament.”
For the full review, please click on the image, above.
Ubuntu Music Signs Leo Richardson For His Second Album on the Label
Leo Richardson
Move
UBU0026 / CD & Digital Formats
Release Date: 9th August 2019
Leo Richardson - Move
Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of Leo Richardson for his second album on Ubuntu Music. Move will be released worldwide on 9th August.
Leo is widely recognised as one of London’s leading tenor saxophonists, best known for his honest, straight-ahead, contemporary hard-bop style. His influences include John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon, Horace Silver and Art Blakey. Leo's 2017 debut album, The Chase, received exceptional reviews from around the world, including the first ever 5 Star review for a debut jazz album by the Observer. The Chase was also selected by The Times as one of the Top Ten Jazz Albums of 2017. In America, Downbeat Magazine praised the album as being straight out of the mid-1960’s jazz classics.
Leo Richardson (photograph: Carl Hyde)
Leo has performed throughout the world and appeared last year at the Love Supreme Jazz Festival in the UK. This summer, Leo’s quartet will be performing at the Rochester International Jazz Festival in the US. He has played at Ronnie Scott’s, on numerous occasions.
Move, Leo’s next Quartet album, features his powerhouse rhythm section of Rick Simpson (piano), Tim Thornton (bass) and Ed Richardson (drums). The ubiquitous tenor Alex Garnett joins the band as guest on the final track. The sophomore album picks up where the debut album left off.
Rick Simpson, Leo Richardson, Tim Thornton, Ed Richardson (photograph: Carl Hyde)
As Leo describes, “I never thought I’d release my second album so soon after the first, but I just love playing with the band so, I thought, why not?! The compositions on this record are very much a natural progression from the first album. I feel the music has developed and matured, instilling the essence of hard bop but remaining contemporary. The rhythm section in this quartet is absolutely world class and I’m very lucky to be able to play my music with them and develop it together as a band.”
Leo has been on Ubuntu Music from the start of his recording days. Concerning the Label, Leo explains, “Martin Hummel has put his life and soul into nurturing and growing Ubuntu. I have no idea how he manages to support all of his artists, regularly attending shows and helping artists move in the right direction. It’s a great pleasure and privilege to be able to release another recording on what is fast becoming a world-renowned label.”
Rick Simpson, Leo Richardson, Ed Richardson, Tim Thornton (photograph: Carl Hyde)
Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music concludes, “Leo is a top-notch musician and a wonderful human being. The journey from the development to the release of his first album was sheer joy for me. The music was exceptional, and the world concurred. This guy is a very serious talent and we expect Leo to continue to go from strength to strength, with Ubuntu as his privileged partner. Brace yourself, for ‘Move!’”
Leo Richardson Scores Big with The Arts Desk
Sebastian Scotney applauds the tenor sax man’s music in London Jazz Festival.
Another young-ish tenor saxophonist left a very strong impression with his gig on Wednesday at the Spice of Life club in Soho. Leo Richardson’s 2017 album The Chase, with a guest appearance from that daredevil of a previous generation Alan Skidmore, made it into several 2017 best-of lists. Richardson has just recorded another album, which includes another two-tenor roast, this time with Alex Garnett. Richardson’s quartet is also interesting for the sheer range of appealing characters and personalities in it, from the quirkily humorous Rick Simpson to the virtuosically insouciant Tim Thornton to the constantly provoking Chris Draper.
REVIEW: Leo Richardson Quartet at the Spice of Life (2018 EFG LJF)
“We were treated to offerings old and new, with a sneak peak of the Leo Richardson Quartet's new album which, if last night was anything to go by, will be just as good if not better than the last.”
For the full review, please click on the image, above.