Here's a full breakdown of the plan, based on Billboard's reporting, including streaming thresholds, fraud fees and minimum track lengths.
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London Jazz Festival Reviews
Ubuntu’s Martin Hummel reviews a series of shows for London Jazz News.
Ubuntu Music Signs Martin Sjöstedt & Stockholm Jazz Orchestra for Next Release
Martin Sjöstedt & Stockholm Jazz Orchestra/ Horizon
Release Date: 9th February 2024
CD & Digital Formats / UBU0148
Martin Sjöstedt (Photographer: Casper Hedberg)
Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of composer/arranger/instrumentalist Martin Sjöstedt & Stockholm Jazz Orchestra, for the release of a major big band project of original and interpreted compositions.
The Stockholm Jazz Orchestra began in 1984 as a rehearsal big band. In 1985, the band had Bob Florence as a guest, and he suggested changing the name since it had become a professional big band. In 1986, Bob Brookmeyer joined the band as a guest, which led to the creation of their first album. Other notable guests over the years have included Bob Mintzer, The Yellowjackets, Maria Schneider, Gary Smulyan, and Dick Oatts. Since 2011, the band has primarily featured music composed by its members and, most recently, has included the exceptionally talented Martin Sjöstedt. This music showcases the many soloists within the band. In 2024, the band will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a Swedish tour and possibly more performances.
Stockholm Jazz Orchestra (Photographer: Casper Hedberg)
With their latest project, Horizon, Martin Sjöstedt delves even deeper into the vision of creating freedom for the band's members, much like a piano trio or quartet, but all within the framework that personifies a big band. Martin explains: "One of the most remarkable comments I received following a concert with the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra during our South Africa tour in 2017 was from a young female music student. She was genuinely fascinated by how the big band could perform the music as if it were a quartet. In retrospect, I now realize that all the music I compose for larger ensembles aims to provide a sense of personal involvement for everyone and allows space for each individual's unique personality."
Horizon contains nine tracks, where all the songs or arrangements are dedicated and specially written for a soloist and a member of the band.
“It's a significant challenge but also a privilege to write for some of the members I've not only toured with for almost 20 years but also consider close friends. I aim to create a musical framework where the soloist feels completely liberated while also allowing myself to communicate and challenge through the large ensemble.”
Concerning his new partnership with Ubuntu Music, Martin explains: "It's a real honour to join the Ubuntu Music family and I'm delighted to be a part of a roster of such amazing talent. Contemporary big band music is alive and kicking and I'm thrilled to share the Stockholm Jazz Orchestra's collective vision with this new album, and to turn as many people as possible on to this exciting genre of music".
Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “I was first introduced to Martin Sjöstedt and his Stockholm Jazz Orchestra project through our mutual friend, Claire Martin, and the rest is now history. Martin is an exceedingly talented individual who is meticulous in his craft as a professional composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist. ‘Horizon’ is a celebration of the big band jazz art form, with the personalities of the individual musicians allowed to shine through. We are most grateful to welcome Martin and this outstanding project into the Ubuntu Music Family.”
For further information, please contact:
Martin Sjöstedt (Artist): martinsjostedt@me.com
Emma Perry (UK Publicity): emmasarahperry@gmail.com
Martin Hummel/Ubuntu Music (Worldwide): martin@ubuntumanagementgroup.com
WEBSITES
BIOGRAPHY
The Stockholm Jazz Orchestra began in 1984 as a rehearsal big band. In 1985, the band had Bob Florence as a guest, and he suggested changing the name since it had become a professional big band.
In 1986, Bob Brookmeyer joined the band as a guest, which led to the creation of the album "Dreams," featuring Bob's compositions. Meeting Bob had a significant impact on the band's sound and style.
Through Bob, the band connected with Jim McNeely and recorded two albums of his music while embarking on several tours. Jim's compositions perfectly suited the band, offering plenty of solo opportunities and intricate ensemble playing.
Other notable guests over the years included Bob Mintzer, The Yellowjackets, Maria Schneider, Gary Smulyan, and Dick Oatts. With Gary and Dick, the band toured with the music of Thad Jones from 2003 to 2005 and recently in 2023, celebrating Thad's 100th birthday. Their musical spirit and artistry were incredibly inspiring.
In addition to performing in Sweden, the band has undertaken numerous worldwide tours, including visits to the US, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, South Africa, the UK, Switzerland, Spain, Finland, Norway, and Denmark. They've played at renowned venues and festivals such as Ronnie Scott's, Village Vanguard, Pori Jazz Festival, and the Guanajato Cultural Festival.
In the summer of 2015, the band embarked on its second tour of South Africa. They performed at notable venues including "The Orbit" in Johannesburg, "The NYJF" in Grahamstown, and the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town. These concerts were met with sold-out crowds and enthusiastic audiences, making the performances truly exhilarating. Additionally, the SJO took the opportunity to visit the township of Delft, where they collaborated with a youth big band, engaging in meaningful musical outreach.
Since 2011, the band has primarily featured music composed by its members, including pianist Göran Strandberg, drummer Jukkis Uotila, and most recently, the exceptionally talented Martin Sjöstedt. This music showcases the many soloists within the band.
In 2024, the band will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a Swedish tour and possibly more performances.
REVIEW: Almanaque
Italian guitarist Luca Boscagin leads a band featuring Quentin Collins through originals on the Brazilian theme, adding one Nascimento cover.
Nominees unveiled for 2023 Scottish Jazz Awards as public vote opens. Ubuntu's Sean Gibbs is up for Album of The Year!
A talented roster of nominees has been unveiled for the highly anticipated 2023 Scottish Jazz Awards. The vibrant celebration of Scotland's thriving jazz scene is set to take place at the historic Savings Bank in Glasgow on Thursday 7th December and will be hosted by celebrated musician Seonaid Aitkin.
REVIEW: Silvan Joray
Jazz Views’ Tim Larsen writes, “I was immediately impressed with the interplay between Joray and drummer Jeff Ballard.”
Ubuntu Music Signs Guitarist Karim Saber for Debut Album Release
Karim Saber / Transmission
Release Date: 19th January 2024
CD & Digital Formats / UBU0156
Karim Saber (Photographer: Safi Jenkins)
Transmission seamlessly combines Karim’s love of dynamic extended improvisation with evocative, memorable melodies. The music on the album was written in 2021and evolved over the course of a residency his band had at MAP Café in Kentish Town, London. Once Karim and the band evolved to the point where each show felt really different, he knew it was time to head to the studio and document the work that they had been doing.
Karim shares his thoughts about the project: “Whilst the written component of the music is important, the bottom line of the music we play is that you need a great band to get it off the page! I’m really proud to have a band full of incredible young musicians, all of whom I met whilst I was a student at the Royal Academy of Music.
Alex Wilson, John Jones, Karim Saber, Matt Cook, Jack Thomas (Photographer: Safi Jenkins)
“Alex Wilson is an incredible piano player. He has so much facility and puts that at the service of the music to provide the full spectrum of what I need from a pianist - be those evocative, improvised introductions, comping which encourages me to explore or his own high burning solo contributions.
“Matt Cook plays tenor and embodies the words ‘focus’ and ‘flow’. He brings so much fire to the band and is always willing to push himself right to the edge of his abilities to create something which is both beautiful and true to the moment. He was the last addition to the band but I knew I wanted to do something with him as soon as I heard him play my music.
“On bass, John Jones provides a foundation for our group explorations. His deep, rhythmic sensibility coupled with his incredible listening and decision-making means he is always capable of finding the perfect counterpoint to whatever else is going on.
“Jack Thomas is our drummer and is a musician I can listen to all night without getting bored. He brings an incredible intensity to everything he plays and is totally fearless!
Matt Cook, Jack Thomas, Karim Saber, Alex Wilson, John Jones (Photographer: Safi Jenkins)
“All that being said, I think you can probably tell I’m really happy with the musicians I have in my band. We’ve been playing together long enough now that when I start writing a tune these days, I hear them playing it in my head. This was the first album of its kind that any of us had recorded and going through that process with these guys felt really special.”
Karim shares his thoughts concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu Music: “I had been aware of Ubuntu for a few years and knew they had an amazing track record for putting out exciting new music (Joe Downard’s ‘Seven Japanese Tales’, Trio HLK’s ‘Standard Time’ and Matt Ridley’s ‘The Antidote’ are some of my favourite recent releases!). What I was not prepared for was how encouraging and supportive they would be as I prepared to take this crucial step in my career. I feel privileged to have found a label that believes in my music and am honoured to be part of such an incredible artist roster.”
Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “I was first introduced to Karim through friend and bassist Jasper Høiby, who was producing Karim’s album. Jasper said I had to check this out, once they were ready. Shortly thereafter, guitarist Ant Law approached me, saying I had to get in touch with Karim. Once I had the headspace to properly listen to Karim’s project, I was utterly convinced. Karim’s music is a beautiful pronouncement of modern, contemporary jazz, delivered by a young, fearless group of musicians who blend so very well together. We are delighted to have Karim and his band join the Ubuntu Music family.”
For further information, please contact:
Karim Saber (Artist): karimsaberguitarist@gmail.com
Martin Hummel/Ubuntu Music (Worldwide): martin@ubuntumanagementgroup.com
Is Spotify’s 1,000-Stream Payment Threshold Legal? Songwriter Calls on CRB To Block ‘Unreasonable, Discriminatory, and Anticompetitive’ Model
Amid continued debate about (and criticism of) Spotify’s reported plan to cease paying royalties for the vast majority of on-platform works, one songwriter is formally questioning whether the involved model is legal under stateside copyright law.
REVIEW: Paul Mottram
The Scotsman’s Jim Gilchrist writes, “Some jazz purists may shake their heads, but this is a thing of beauty nonetheless.” FOUR STARS ★★★★
Paul Mottram: Seven Ages of Man (Ubuntu Music) ****
This richly toned suite for jazz sextet and string orchestra by TV and film composer Paul Mottram features the soprano sax of Tim Garland alongside pianist Jason Rebello and Jonny Mansfield on vibes, bassist Misha Mullov-Abbado, drummer Ralph Salmins and percussionist Paul Clarvis. Shakespeare’s infant-to-old-age chronology expands to nine movements, and from its haunting solo opening strains in Origins to the stately resolution of Old Age, Garland’s soprano sax twines beguilingly through the shimmer of strings, escorted empathetically by Rebello and Mansfield, as in the dreamlike Gestation movement. Piano and vibes add brio to the jaunty progress of Schoolboy, Rebello sets the scene elegantly for Lover, which becomes increasingly vivacious with sax and vibes, while Garland’s bass clarinet pooters about the fitfully stalking Pantaloon, with sumptuous string echoes of Autumn Leaves. Some jazz purists may shake their heads, but this is a thing of beauty nonetheless. Jim Gilchrist
REVIEW: Silvan Joray
JazzWax’x Marc Myers writes, “If you dig John, Pat and Jim, as I do, then Silvan's album will be pure joy.”
