Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of composer Paul Mottram, for the release of a major project that blends jazz and classical music within a fascinating project concept.

Seven Ages of Man is a large-scale concert work scored for Jazz Sextet and String Orchestra which weaves jazz improvisation and grooves within a tight thematically developed classical structure. Organised by the ‘Seven Ages of Man’ concept from medieval art and literature, it forms an atmospheric personal reflection on the stages of a single human life cycle, taking cues from Shakespeare’s description of life in terms of characters from a play: Infant, Schoolboy, Lover, Soldier, Judge, Pantaloon and the Second Childhood of Old Age.

The large string section projects a real sense of scale and emotional depth to the piece both supporting and integrated with the Jazz Sextet.

The work was written for acclaimed jazz musician and long-standing friend Tim Garland (soprano/tenor sax and bass clarinet) who performs as the principal soloist, and it also features Jason Rebello on piano and Jonny Mansfield on vibraphone.

Paul describes how he conceived the highly ambitious project: “Writing ‘Seven Ages of Man’ was an incredible opportunity to bring together all the strands of my musical persona. I could draw on my background as a classical musician steeped in Jazz, fused with a media composer’s ear for conveying the emotions of a story through music. It’s always been an ambition of mine to write a classically structured long form jazz composition for Tim Garland, who’s been a friend and an inspiration since we met at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in the 80s. It’s been a privilege to assemble such a distinguished band of musicians with Jason Rebello (piano) and Jonny Mansfield (vibraphone) also taking soloing roles. Ralph Salmins (drums), Misha Mullov-Abbado (bass) and Paul Clarvis (percussion) complete the Jazz Sextet. I didn’t compromise either with the size of the string orchestra line up, contracted by Isobel Griffiths, and that with recording in the wonderful acoustic of Abbey Road Studio 1 gives the whole album a real sense of scale, something I was after from the outset.”

Paul continues, describing the relationship with his new record label: “In Ubuntu Music, it feels great to have found such an excellent and welcoming home for the ‘Seven Ages of Man’ album. The hybrid musical style of the piece is hard to quantify in the classical/ jazz spectrum but at its’ core the principal soloists of the piece are jazz musicians of the highest order and that sits well with the fine roster of talent on the label. The stylistic breadth of the catalogue also leads me to believe that ‘Seven Ages’ will fit right in with the broad ‘no boundaries’ vision that Martin Hummel has for Ubuntu.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, gives his parting thoughts: “I was absolutely blown away by the scale, the quality and the inherent appeal of this project, in every single aspect - from the concept, to the compositions, to the musicians, to the quality of the recording itself. Paul is meticulous in his craftsmanship, paying considerable attention to each and every detail. And it’s clearly evident in the end result. Having world class musicians like Tim Garland and Jason Rebello, personal heroes of mine, makes this project even more special. This is a genre-defining release that’s certain to reward both classical and jazz fans alike. We cannot wait to ultimately bring this project to live audiences, whenever and wherever possible. It’s a pleasure to be a part of something so special, and to welcome Paul, the outstanding musicians in the sextet and the exceptional string orchestra into the Ubuntu Music Family.”

PAUL MOTTRAM BIOGRAPHY

Paul Mottram has forged an extremely successful career as one of the most prolific and versatile media composers in the UK, with an enviable back catalogue of compositions. His ability to cut to the emotional heart of the subject matter with a sophisticated melodic multi-layered compositional style has also enabled him to deliver concert music which resonates deeply with the audience.

Classically trained as a violinist, pianist and composer at the Royal College of Music, Cambridge University and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Paul quickly began working as an orchestrator on films such as Chaplin, Shirley Valentine and Rain Man. Later, moving into commercials, he also started writing music for BBC radio 4 shows in the 90s, such as In the Red and Babblewick Hall, and television, with the hit spoof documentary series People Like Us (1999).

As one of the founder composers at production music library Audio Network in the early 2000s, Paul began producing a prodigious line of albums which continues to this day (his latest album, Intimate Canvas, came out on streaming platforms in February 2023). You would be hard pressed to watch an evening’s television without hearing his compositions, featured in 100s of shows such as The Great British Bake Off, The Apprentice, Downton Abbey, Doctor Who, The Crown, QI, Big Mouth, Travel Man and Upstart Crow. His music has also been featured in films such as Bad Santa and The Bee Movie and cinematic trailers such as for the Oscar winning film, Blue Jasmine.

A fascination with Jazz has always had a major impact on Paul’s concert music output. Over the years he has written for musicians such as The Swingle Singers, The Underground Orchestra, Fine Arts Brass Ensemble, Superbrass and the Dunedin Consort. Moccasin Trail was written for saxophonist John Harle’s band and features on ‘The John Harle Collection: Vol 15’ and a saxophone/ piano version was premiered by John at a Wigmore Hall recital broadcast on BBC Radio 3. In 2015, the song cycle Falls, (initially commissioned and performed by the Dunedin Consort) was performed at the Snape Maltings by the National Youth Choir of Great Britain and his Gospel Jazz composition for choir with rhythm section Come Spirit was premiered by the Chapter House Choir in York Minster.

Seven Ages of Man, a new 70-minute suite and album written for world class jazz musicians Tim Garland and Jason Rebello, is Paul’s biggest and most ambitious work yet and a remarkable synthesis of his classical, jazz and media music roots. Writing to his own brief, the work has enabled him to explore the intersection between his musical worlds and write something on a grander and more profound scale.