Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of virtuoso British-Asian bass player Shez Raja for his album release, Tales from the Punjab, on 19th March 2021.

Shez is famed for his high energy live shows, unique Indojazzfunk sound and global jazz star collaborations with Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Trilok Gurtu and Wayne Krantz. In addition, Shez was recently voted one of the top 30 'Hottest Bass Players in the World' by readers of Bass Guitar and Bass Player magazines.

Shez was born to an Asian father and English mother, on the Wirral, in the North-West of England. Classically trained on the violin from the age of 9, a few years later he traded the instrument for electric bass and hasn’t looked back since.

Educated at Leeds College of Music, Raja toured the UK with groups such as Elephant Talk and Loka before becoming a highly sought-after session musician.

In his formative years, Shez went on trips to the Punjab region of the Indian sub-continent with his father and explored the music of his roots, learning tabla drumming.

A regular at top UK venues including Ronnie Scott’s and the Jazz Café as well as major international jazz festivals from Russia to New Zealand, Shez and his band have amassed a devoted following and forged a reputation as one of the most entertaining live acts on the scene today.

Shez’s mission as an artist is to be authentic with his emotions, develop his own unique voice and to explore the language of music to become fully self-expressed. He explains, “I believe the ultimate goal for a musician is to make music that is raw, real and from the heart, that moves and inspires people”.

For his upcoming album, Tales from the Punjab, Shez digs deep into his rich South Asian heritage to create his most exquisite and heartfelt recording to date. He describes:

“In early 2020 I went on an adventure, travelling around the Punjab to explore my South Asian identity and immerse myself in the musical culture of my roots. Little did I know, the world was about to change and I feel very lucky to have had what was to be a magical and truly enlightening experience.

“Whilst in the vibrant city of Lahore I was honoured to collaborate with some of the most accomplished musicians of the subcontinent, from young virtuosos to veteran classical musicians.

“For several days we shared a musical and spiritual journey together through ancient ragas, traditional melodies and free improvisations, creating a bridge between cultures with beautiful, exotic and timeless sounds. We cannot wait to share this recording with the world!”

Shez shares his views concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu Music, saying, “I’ve been in admiration of how Martin Hummel has developed such a diverse and fascinating roster of world-class musicians. I’m now delighted to be a part of the Ubuntu Family, collaborating with someone who shares my passion for music and truly cares about artists. Martin has an ambitious and inspiring vision for the Label and I’m very excited about the future!”

Shez shares his views concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu Music, saying, “I’ve been in admiration of how Martin Hummel has developed such a diverse and fascinating roster of world-class musicians. I’m now delighted to be a part of the Ubuntu Family, collaborating with someone who shares my passion for music and truly cares about artists. Martin has an ambitious and inspiring vision for the Label and I’m very excited about the future!”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, gives his perspective, “I’ve been an admirer of Shez, his music and his unbridled, infectious energy for some time now. There’s no one quite like him. When Shez told me about this project and I listened to his music, I was transported to an exotic land and became a part of its deep cultural roots. I had to join Shez’s journey. We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Shez as the newest member of the Ubuntu Music Family and to share his exquisite music with the world.”

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the upcoming release of Updraft, the trio album from Swiss guitarist/composer Silvan Joray, which will be available worldwide from 3rd November 2023.

Silvan is currently based in New York City. He has gained recognition in the jazz community, having won special prizes at the UNISA International Strings Competition in South Africa 2022 and the Smietana Jazz Guitar Competition 2019 in Poland. He has performed at prestigious jazz festivals including the Krakow Summer Jazz Festival, Offbeat Jazzfestival Basel, and International Jazz Festival Bern, and has toured in Germany, Norway, Poland, Spain, and Israel.

Silvan grew up in a musical family and began his formal training on the classical guitar, which he studied for eight years before discovering jazz and switching to the electric guitar. He was initially interested in playing jazz standards and influenced by guitarists such as Wes Montgomery. However, his studies with renowned jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel at Jazzcampus Basel broadened his musical horizons, inspiring him to compose his own music. This eventually led to the release of his debut album, Cluster, in 2020, which was produced by Muthspiel and co-produced by Swiss Radio SRF2.

Updraft, Silvan’s second album as a leader, showcases his distinctive blend of traditional and modern jazz styles. His music is characterized by intricate harmonies, melodic sensitivity, and virtuosic improvisation – grounded by familiar jazz grooves. Every composition is opening up a quite specific world but at the same time allowing the musicians to deal very freely with the given material. Being largely interested in playing jazz standards, he also pays tribute to two masters of the genre – Cole Porter and Andrew Hill.

Nadav Erlich’s big double bass sound and Jeff Ballard’s distinct drumming complete the trio. Together, they tell stories that entice the listener with verve and vitality, transporting them on a musical journey filled with moments of playful interaction, dreamy melodies and quick-flying rhythms.

Joray is continually developing his style by experimenting with extended techniques like quarter tones and „tapping" which are not traditionally associated with jazz guitar playing. Most of the tracks on „Updraft“ feature these techniques to at least some extent, sometimes subtly within a musical phrase that otherwise would not be possible to play, other times extensively to create astounding soundscapes.

Silvan describes the idea behind the album: “When I was living in Basel, I had the chance to play with Jeff and Nadav regularly over the course of two years. Thanks to that we were able to develop our sound as a group and I wanted to use that opportunity to record my second album as a leader. I was very excited when Jeff told me that he would be down to do it! Both Jeff and Nadav are highly creative, and we constantly give each other a lot of musical material to improvise with while playing. I love this interactive and playful spirit that we have when we play together - this is truly my dream team."

Concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu Music, Silvan continues: "I’m really glad to have come across Martin Hummel’s great label and am beyond grateful for the opportunity to become a part of the Ubuntu Family. Martin’s commitment and passion are incomparable and I’m so happy that I found a new home for my music. I’m excited for what the future of our relationship will bring."

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “Occasionally, you just get lucky in meeting someone out of nowhere who has the talent, the drive and the grace all wrapped into one. I was mesmerised by Silvan’s music and the way he shaped the narrative to ‘Updraft’. It’s a beautiful album and captures exceptional playing from Nadav Erlich on bass and, one of my favourites, Jeff Ballard on drums. We’re delighted that Silvan is a member of the Ubuntu Music Family.”

For Website, Click HERE.

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of pianist/composer/arranger Simon Lasky, for the release of For the Dreamers on Ubuntu Music. The release date is 22nd March 2024.

Simon’s latest project features his recently formed U.S. Jazz Octet with three front line horns and vocals. There are special guest appearances by leading U.K. jazz artists, including Tim Garland and Paul Booth and, for the first time, Simon’s arrangements appear alongside his original compositions.

Simon explains his thinking behind For the Dreamers: “I think that, deep down, I always knew (hoped!) that I would spend some time in America one day; form a band there; do some concerts; and record an album. My only surprise is that it took me until my mid-forties to do it! I wanted to harness my love for many genres of American music, utilise local American musicians and compose music for that particularly confident way they have of playing. This is the resulting album!

“However, most of the compositions and arrangements on this record were penned during a very challenging time: I had some major health problems (which resulted in double jaw surgery), I lost my father, and - like so many of my colleagues during the global pandemic - there were times I doubted how, when and where we would make music again. Yet, throughout that time, music was there as a companion, a comfort, and a source of hope. When I was composing the music on this record, I was transported away from those challenging daily realities. Composing helps me dream! So, despite the challenging circumstances of its inception, the music on this record is unfailingly optimistic. It explores notions of heroism, flight, fancy and dreaming. And it's the 'American' record I always dreamed I would make!”

Regarding the music itself, Simon shares his perspective: “The music on this album represents many firsts for me, in my recording career so far: It’s the first music I've released since winning the 2018 British Composer Award (now Ivors Composer Awards) in the Jazz Composition for Small Ensemble category for 'Close to Ecstasy'. It's the first time I have recorded and released some of my arrangements, which appear alongside my own compositions. It's the first time I've recorded with a full horn section. And it's the first time I've recorded with vocals. The album is based around my core rhythm section of some of the finest players from the Tampa Bay jazz scene (Elias Tona - bass/Peter Mongaya - guitar/Jonathan Thomas - drums). They have a punchy and strident way of playing, and I have written with those strengths in mind. I wanted to feature horn players from both sides of the pond and, on ‘Closer to The Sky’, I have fulfilled a 25-year-old ambition of recording with a childhood hero and one of my favourite musicians (saxophonist, Tim Garland).

“I am particularly attracted to the idea of making a relatively small ensemble (the Octet on this record) sound as big and symphonic as possible. Weather Report and the Pat Metheny Group come to mind as obvious models for that 'epic' sound from small forces. And, as is always the case, my charts are through-composed, driven by a strong compositional narrative and I hope to take the listener on a journey. Maybe they can dream too!”

Concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu Music, Simon elaborates: “I have known Martin (Hummel) for a number of years and I know how highly my friends and colleagues in the jazz world regard him. Martin is on the side of the musician. And in the current, increasingly complex, musical landscape - which is daunting and bewildering to many independent artists - having Ubuntu Music in your corner, fighting for and with you, is immensely valuable. I am thrilled that my new album is with Ubuntu and I am excited about developing this relationship moving forward.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “Simon is an artist of multiple strengths – composing, arranging and performing as a pianist – who also seems equally at ease on both sides of the pond – the US and his native UK. We were excited with the opportunity to partner with Simon with his latest project, ‘For the Dreamers’, which highlights Simon’s development as an evolving artist, while venturing into new territory. It’s a celebration of the good things in life and we are delighted that Simon brings this to the Ubuntu Music Family.”

SIMON LASKY BIOGRAPHY

Inquisitive, provocative, blessed with the polished skill of balancing the musical idioms that have shaped his unique musical personality, British pianist Simon Lasky has been dazzling audiences on both sides of the Atlantic throughout his career. As a classically trained composer with a lifelong fascination with improvisation, Simon has forged his engaging signature sound from a love of 20th and 21st century symphonic music, the genius of bands like Steely Dan and Weather Report, and the venturesome nature of contemporary Jazz.

After winning the 2018 Ivors Composer Awards for his song ‘Close To Ecstasy,’ Simon moved from London to Tampa, Florida to study with five time GRAMMY nominated Jazz composer Chuck Owen at The University of South Florida. Since then Simon has thrived as an educator, lecturer, radio host and leader of the eight piece Simon Lasky Group. Relentlessly curious, Simon’s attention to detail, compositional sophistication, and intricate musicality, invites listeners to embrace his distinctive artistry that excites, enchants, and educates throughout every song, album and concert he brings to life.

Captivating arrangements exploiting the familiarity of popular music showcase Simon’s reputation for leveraging elaborate musical narratives that playfully guide audiences through the “back door” of Jazz. His latest album For the Dreamers (Ubuntu Music) explores the concentric circles of treasured musical genres through a variety of whimsical compositions complimented by guest vocalist Ona K and the special chemistry of the Simon Lasky Group. In demand as a soloist, lecturer, clinician and sideman, Simon is currently an Adjunct Faculty Music Professor at the University of South Florida and Hillsborough Community College. His current working Jazz octets in England and Central Florida regularly sell out concert venues in London, Tampa, Orlando, Miami and St. Pete.

For Website, Click HERE.

Ubuntu Music is excited to announce the signing of Skeltr for the worldwide release of their album, ‘Dorje’, on 9th October 2020.

Skeltr began as a late night, post-gig session between Sam Healey (keys) and Craig Hanson (drums) in the dusty old cotton mills of Manchester. Forging a shared connection inspired by Post-bop and Modern groove, the pair developed a tightly knit, highly musical duo. Their first UK gig in 2017 at the Manchester Jazz Festival saw the duo sell all of their physical records of their debut release in one day. Within a few months of this auspicious start, the lads found themselves supporting L.A sensation KNOWER on UK tour, appearing on JazzFM, Worldwide FM, listed as ‘ones to watch’ in Jazzwise Magazine as well as performing across European jazz festivals, including Reykjavik Jazz Festival, InJazz, Rotterdam and the famous Osloscene Club in Norway.

A tragic accident saw hard times fall upon the Duo as Sam suffered a serious hand injury. However, after operations and months of rehabilitation, Sam was able to return to his saxophone and continue playing music again. Having had chance to compose during rehab, the Duo immediately hit the studio and recorded their second album, named after Sam’s new-born son, Dorje.

A nucleus of Saxophone and Drums set to scapes of synths, vocals and guest features,

Skeltr's second album, 'Dorje', combines heartfelt statements of sensitive, illuminating, incensed improvisation which stem from ardent and fluent melodies. Craig on drums is as much an expressive protagonist of the music as he is a foundation with deep roots, leading to intricate interplay between the Duo. Themes include understanding the nature of happiness, self-examination and acceptance in a quest to achieve a positive mental state. Ultimately, ‘Dorje’ seeks to provide the listener with a space in which to explore their own relativities with guidance, inspiration and accompaniment.

Sam describes the project, saying, “What a wonderful experience it has been to create this album. We look forward to spreading the music far and wide with positive intentions. The sounds are crafted with a passionate energy in our hearts and I hope others will be able to feel and hear that.”

Concerning Skeltr’s new relationship with Ubuntu Music, Healey continues, “It has been a three-year journey to bring this album to fruition and we’re so happy to have met Martin (Hummel) and Ubuntu Music as the album was coming to completion. This auspicious timing makes the new relationship all the more rewarding. The Ubuntu Music team’s knowledge, experience and phenomenal work ethic are vastly inspiring and will help Skeltr to reach a much wider audience across the world. We look forward to a close relationship with the Label as we strive to bring great musical offerings to many people.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, said, “These guys have breathtaking talent. I first came in touch with Sam on New Year’s Day (probably not the best day to do so) and told him what I thought of their music. It’s deep. It’s spiritual. And it shakes your senses, inside out and to your very core. Sam is meticulous in everything he does, and you can hear this in the recording. If you want to feed your soul with the best musical vibes, check this out.”

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of Solstice, featuring an array of exceptional British musicians--Brigitte Beraha (vocals), Tori Freestone (saxes & flute), Jez Franks (guitars), John Turville (piano & keys), Dave Mannington (double bass) and George hart (drums).

Solstice is a collaboration between these six like-minded bandleaders and composers who share a common love of contemporary jazz, fine food and wine, resulting in an eclectic palate of influences from all around the world.

After the success of their taster album, Alimentation, the long-awaited plat du jour album, Food for Thought, is a strong expression of the complex issues facing us at this time when many are pursuing various interests at home, such as baking, thinking and taking up a new creative hobby.

With a melange of contemporary jazz--infused with a dash of spicy Brazilian and a smattering of folky fusion--the result could conceivably be a recipe for disaster. Instead, this is a concoction that promises to take you on an incredible journey through time/space/heaven/hell…and even the contents of your fridge!

Brigitte Beraha (vocals) is an improvising vocalist and composer and is one of the leading talents on the UK Jazz scene. She teaches jazz vocals at the Guildhall School of Music, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and the Royal Welsh College of Music, has recorded a number of critically acclaimed albums and toured extensively in the UK and beyond.

Her work embraces not only original contemporary jazz and the core jazz and Latin repertoires but, increasingly, cross-genre projects such as the recent recreation of Basil Kirchin's music as part of Hull City of Culture 2017 with the BBC Concert Orchestra and curated by Will Gregory, which are cementing her reputation as an expert with a wide range of experience and creative scope.

Tori Freestone (tenor & soprano sax, flute) features in many of the UK’s most exciting ensembles including Hermeto Pascoal, Yazz Ahmed, the Jensen Sisters and the Julian Siegel and Nikki Iles Jazz Orchestras, plus the London Jazz Orchestra for which she holds the tenor one chair. She co-leads a duo with pianist Alcyona Mick and leads her own trio with numerous releases to her name. She composed a commission for the 2014 EFG London Jazz Festival, was shortlisted for the Arts Foundation Award for Jazz Composition and the Parliamentary Jazz Award for Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year in 2017. She also received The Guardian's 'Jazz Album of the Month' in the Guardian Newspaper 2019. She has recently been awarded a PRS Foundation 'Sustaining Creativity' Award and a Help Musician's 'Transmission Fund' to study with artists and composers worldwide.

Jez Franks (guitars) is a jazz musician, educator and composer. He co-led the Quartet ‘Compassionate Dictatorship’ for many years with Tori Freestone and has toured and recorded with a variety of ensembles and artists, including Tom Arthur’s ‘Centripede’, Gerard Presencer, Ingrid Jensen, Rick Astley and Monday Murchuri. He has performed on the BBC ‘Jazz on 3’, at various festivals and toured all over the UK and Europe.

John Turville (piano, keys) is one of the leading jazz pianists of his generation and has won multiple awards for his two trio albums including MOJO’s #3 Jazz Album of the Year and ‘Best Album’ in the Parliamentary Awards 2011. He also won ‘Best Instrumentalist’ in the 2010 London Jazz Awards and the 2009 PRS Promoter’s Choice Award and was a semi-finalist in the Martial Solal Jazz Piano Concours in 2010. He has toured and recorded throughout Europe and the Middle East with many renowned jazz and tango groups, including the Dave Binney/Julian Arguelles Quintet, Tim Garland, the Tony Kofi/Alan Barnes Quintet, Karios 4tet, Asaf Sirkis Trio, Gilad Atzmon and Matt Ridley Quartet, John is also an experienced composer and arranger for strings, voices, jazz and tango ensembles, and an experienced educator. He is the principal jazz piano tutor at Birmingham Conservatoire and the Purcell School, and has coached and adjudicated ensembles at the Guildhall and Trinity College.

Dave Manington (double bass) has played with most of the top jazz musicians in the country…luminaries such as Yazz Ahmed, Mark Lockhart, Tim Garland, Iain Ballamy, Gwyneth Herbert, Michael Garrick, Julian Arguelles, Marius Neset, Pete Wareham, Gwilym Simcock, Pete King, Martin Speake, Alan Barnes, Tim Whitehead, Salena Jones, Roberto Pla, Tina May, Martin Shaw and John Etheridge amongst many others. He's also in demand for a broad range of different ensembles, playing with musicians from South America to the Balkans both as a performer and as a compositional collaborator. He has composed for and led his own septet, trios, and quartet, while also contributing music to many other artists’ projects. He is also a founder member of the much-respected Loop collective and the E17 Jazz Collective.

George Hart (drums) is a versatile and accomplished London-based drummer. He collaborates with many of the most talented jazz musicians of his generation and for the past 10 years has performed on countless live gigs and studio sessions. Currently, George enjoys working with the Matt Ridley Quartet, Emily Saunders Band (ESB), Eric Ranzoni, The Stowaways (featuring Mike Edmonds, Carl Orr and Josh Kemp), Colin McKenzie’s Intransit and Jazzbomb. George features on albums by Brigitte Beraha, Ivo Neame, Phil Donkin, Seb Pipe, Yazz Ahmed, Dave Lee, Eric Ranzoni and Matt Ridley. George has also shared the stage with numerous distinguished musicians and ensembles, including Swing Out Sister, Chris Laurence Quartet (featuring John Parricelli & Frank Ricotti), Iain Ballamy, Tim Garland, Gwilym Simcock, Geoff Gascoyne, Jasper Høiby, Ivo Neame, Phil Donkin, Yazz Ahmed, London Jazz Orchestra, Laurence Cottle and many more.

Solstice describes their latest project, Food for Thought, as follows:

“It's like a dream come true releasing our second album on Ubuntu Music, with their fantastic artist roster and the great care and attention they give to each release. The music on 'Food for Thought' began life during our previous 22 date UK tour. The project is unique in that each member of the band is a seasoned composer and bandleader in their own right, and each contributed new material as the tour went on.

“At first listen, ‘Food for Thought’ sounds more like a rock album than a jazz one. It soon becomes clear that here is a true contemporary jazz melting pot, with an eclectic list of influences from all around the world. The result is contemporary jazz with strong elements of prog-rock, with a dash of Brazilian, a smattering of world music, an infusion of folk and a pinch of classical music that veers from avant-garde ensemble passages to free-improv and back.”

Concerning their new relationship with Ubuntu Music, Brigitte and Tori commented:

" We're really excited about releasing this album on Ubuntu and working with Martin Hummel whom most of us have known for many years. The partnership with his exciting and diverse label is fitting for our second release alongside many highly respected artists from the UK and worldwide scene.

“The band is unusual in that it is co-led by its members, all of whom are well known bandleaders and composers in their own right. We all have similar influences and have worked together in varying formats for many, many years, resulting in a unique blend. The music on this album developed over a long period of time while touring our first album. We're all foodies and of course that had to come out in the titles and inspiration behind the music as it did on our first album, 'Alimentation'. This latest album also seemed to develop a psychological slant over time and the combination of both subjects has become even more relevant with the situation we all find ourselves in presently. We hope the listeners can find joy, pathos, humour and meaning in the compositions as we do when we're creating and performing the work.”

Consistent with their name, the Summer Solstice arrived on Saturday, 20th June, and the band had a bit of a treat during these restricted COVID-19 times:

“The album has been a long time in the making and is very dear to our hearts. Now seems to be the perfect time to be releasing a little preview morsel so that people can savour a taste of what's to come. We hope they find it delectable and that it will leave them hungry for additional helpings.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, summed things up with the following: “What a wonderfully talented group of artists, all of whom are leaders in their own right, combining a smorgasbord of exotic musical strands which deliciously blend together to serve up a grand feast for the ears to savour. This project will surely make the listener hungrier for second servings. Listen with a voracious appetite!”

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the upcoming release of The Funk Thing, the latest project from flutist/composer Mattan Klein, which will be available worldwide from 4th August 2023.

Spice’n’Space is an Israel-based jazz-funk band led by Mattan and drummer Uria Mader.

The band’s vision is about blending the old school 70s instrumental funk with some fresh and new aesthetics, delivering a perfect combination of the past with the present.

Mattan is a jazz/world music flutist and composer who has worked with some of Israel’s greatest artists such as Tom Oren (winner of the Thelonious Monk Institute Piano Competition), Gadi Stern (Shalosh), and Avri Borochov. Mattan has performed on the most prestigious worldwide stages such as Carnegie Hall (New York City) and the Kennedy Center (Washington, DC).

Uria is an up-and-coming Israeli drummer, extremely versatile and comfortable in both the jazz and rock genres and has performed on Israel’s greatest stages and festivals such as IndyNegev Festival (Israel’s biggest music festival) and Red Sea Guitar Festival.

Spice’n’Space will be headlining the Tel Aviv International Flute Festival, and the Klaipeda International Jazz Festival in Lithuania during June 2023. The band members had performed at the London Jazz Festival, The Red Sea Jazz Festival, Nisville Jazz Festival in Serbia, Albania International Jazz Festival and many more.

Mattan and Uria describe their latest project: “The Funk Thing’ presents a fresh new approach to funky jazz with a special focus on flute in the context of groove and funk. The new album fuses old-school grooves with hints of pop and reggae elements, all the while referring to vintage keyboard and drum sounds. The result brings a new and refreshing mix to listeners but watch out because your feet might force you to get up and dance!”

They continue, describing their relationship with Ubuntu Music: “This has been a cutting-edge platform for many diverse styles of music., It is a great privilege to be a part of this incredible Family, and to be able to present our musical creations to wider audiences. It’s rare to find such an open-minded and professionally dedicated group that puts the Arts as the primary objective. Only fantastic things can come out of such a collaboration. We are grateful and overjoyed.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Mattan and now Uria. These are wonderful, talented musicians who bring joy and energy to their music, which will make anyone with a heartbeat get up and enjoy.”

For Website, Click HERE.

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of the multi-talented instrumentalist Steve Baker for Tonic, the release of his first album as leader.

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, says of the album: “I am overwhelmed by the beauty, the intimacy, the warmth, and the joy that leapt right out of my speakers and seduced my senses.”

A successful media composer for over thirty years, Steve has composed widely for television and radio, specialising in library music. His clients include KPM Music, EMI Production Music, Cavendish (under the pseudonym Steve Adams), West One Music Group, Score/BMG and Universal (also as Steve Adams). A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, orchestrator and producer, Steve’s genre-crossing compositions have been used extensively across all international media for decades.

Steve elaborates on the idea behind his project: “From its conception I envisaged this record as being quite cinematic with a lot of people involved. I needed a break from the artistic and time constraints of scoring for media and felt the need to sit at the piano and do some really serious composing. I needed a kind of Tonic.”

“Musically it was important for me to bring an improvisatory quality to the record, and I am humbled and fortunate to have worked with some amazing jazz musicians along the way. The orchestrations evolved throughout the making of this record in response to their incredible artistry, imagination and individualism.”

Concerning the title itself, Steve continues: “In music, Tonic is the first degree of a scale often forming the keynote of a piece. My keynote ––a soliloquy on the birth of a child––unwittingly evolved into this highly personal suite of music which explores family, childhood and my place in the world.”

Tonic is performed by an exceptional all-star band featuring Ralph Salmins (drums), Mark Lockheart (saxophones and bass clarinet), Laura Jurd (trumpet and flugelhorn), Raphael Clarkson (trombone), John Parricelli (electric guitar), Tom Herbert (double bass), Robin Mullarkey (electric bass), Dedi Madden (acoustic and electric guitars), Caroline Dale (cello), Richard Harvey (recorder), Walter Mets (percussion), Katherine Baker (flute), Ghatam V Suresh (ghatam), plus Angeline Morand, Carmen Daye and Lauren Christie (voices).

Steve supplies his talents on piano, keys, guitars, melodica, and voices. String arrangements were performed by The Hungarian Studio Orchestra and conducted by Peter Illenyi. The album was recorded in Budapest and London.

On his inspiration for the album, Steve reflects: “I'm not exactly sure where this music comes from…I think it’s more of a thought I hold lightly rather than a specific concept. It could be about growing up, or watching my own children growing up, or how it feels to be living at home. These stories seem to unfold musically from there. One piece was even inspired by a Bridget Riley poster that used to hang on the wall by my Mum’s piano.

Steve shares his perspective on his new relationship with Ubuntu Music: “I'm delighted to partner with Ubuntu Music who have been enthusiastic and committed to my project. The music is very personal, and the Ubuntu relationship has allowed it to stay that way.”

Martin Hummel concludes: “This is an album that’s all about Steve. It’s an honour to be a part of this project. We welcome Steve to the Ubuntu Music Family with open arms.”

For Website, Click HERE.

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of pianist, composer, and educator Bruno Heinen’s ensemble, The W, for their debut album release, Live at Kings Place, for release on 22nd April 2022.

The W is Bruno's new London-based contemporary jazz group. Like the four equal lines that make up the letter ‘W’, the four members of the group come together as one voice in performance. The band features Heidi Vogel (Cinematic Orchestra) on wordless vocals, Andrea Di Biase (Kenny Wheeler) on double bass, Gene Calderazzo (Pharoah Sanders) on drums and Bruno on piano.

“Sure signs of an appetite for the unexpected…It’ll be great to hear it live”

Jazzwise Magazine ★★★★

They are a band in the true sense of the word. They meet regularly, learning the music by heart and shaping Bruno's compositions together. The compositions themselves have a story to tell, as each one based on a single idea/concept, and written with melody at the forefront. Bruno, Andrea and Gene have been working together for many years. The addition of Heidi Vogel brings another layer of depth and lyricism to the music. “I’ve been working with Heidi in her own groups for over 10 years”, says Bruno. “I’ve always wanted to include her in a project of my own, and from the first time she sang with us, it just felt right. Her soul and range are extraordinary, especially without words: I can write as if I were composing for trombone, trumpet, or operatic soprano.”

The forthcoming Live at Kings Place EP is comprised of three tracks taken from a concert at the end of their 2021 tour, funded by Arts Council England. Snowed In With Cedar Walton tells the story of a solo gig Walton played at the Village Vanguard in the 90s, where Bruno was one of only a handful of audience members. Snake River is inspired by Bruno's childhood trip to the Teton Mountains in the American Midwest, and Her Song was written on International Women's Day 2020 for his wife and daughter.

“Original compositions that sound like standards”

Marlbank ★★★★

The group are currently working on a full-length follow up album, also to be released on the Ubuntu Music record label.

“I’m very excited about my new partnership with Ubuntu”, says Bruno. “From the very first meeting I had with Martin Hummel, I could see his passion for the music. First and foremost, he is about promoting the artform, and he has the drive and experience to make it happen on an ambitious scale. We’ll be working together on this EP and the follow-up album, and I sincerely hope our partnership will continue well beyond that. Looking at the label roster, I’m certainly in very good company, and I’m so happy to have a chance to contribute to the momentum of this important label.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, shares his view: “I’ve admired Bruno for a while. He’s a gifted composer and arranger, who has contributed greatly to the London jazz scene, working alongside a number of well-known leaders in jazz. It’s a delight to have the opportunity to work with Bruno and his exceptional band of equals on this EP release, which is the start of more exciting things to come. We welcome ‘The W’ to the Family.”

For Website, Click HERE.

Ubuntu Music, in collaboration with ECN Music, is delighted to announce the signing of composer/arranger/musician Tim Garland, for the release of Moment of Departure, an extraordinary project.

This is the most ambitious project of Tim's stellar career, with a celebration of Lighthouse Trio's 20th Anniversary (Gwilym Simcock and Asaf Sirkis), along with a stunning display of Tim's prowess as a composer and arranger with the Britten Sinfonia, featuring violinist Thomas Gould, along with trumpet ace Yazz Ahmed performing as a special guest on one track.

Writer/musician/broadcaster/jazz historian Alyn Shipton wrote the compelling liner notes for the album, capturing the essence of this masterpiece.

Tim, in his own words, describes the project: “That Moment of Departure, from the known, the notated, towards something new is a shout of fearless freedom. The compositions on this album all have crucial and varied relationships with improvised music, from string orchestra to intimate trio, and completely free-form music. Classical influences and visual art have informed me, as much as my jazz heart. The series of paintings called Sail To Hope, by Esra Kizir Gokcen, provide a backbone of inspiration for the first disc’s music. The subject of journeying into the unknown, as well as the influence of Turkish rhythms, create the background atmosphere whilst maintaining the spaciousness and freedom for the jazz soloists.”

Tim continues, describing in detail the music contained within each of the two parts of this release:

PART ONE: “‘Winds Of Hope’, ‘Trails’, ‘No Horizon and ‘The Impossible Self’ show the trio in full flight - with the string orchestra guesting on the opening track which has an almost fanfare-like quality. The others are more searching, reaching an eccentric and virtuosic climax on track four - a kind of searching for the impossible!

“Continuing along, ‘Sub Vita’ invites Yazz Ahmed, whose beautiful flugelhorn sound depicts life under our oceans here.

“Moment Of Departure, the title track, is a composition built around recorded spontaneous improvisations, scored for string orchestra, the normal order of ‘improvising over a composition’ is reversed, the orchestral score is composed around the improvs, with a climax joining the material together with angular driving rhythms.

“The final sparse ‘Moment Of Arrival’ is an open ended coda, featuring the haunting bass clarinet.”

PART TWO: “This features violinist Thomas Gould joining The Lighthouse Trio firstly in an interpretation of Vivaldi’s Winter. ‘Approaching Winter’ also features the string section of the Britten Sinfonia and demands all four soloists to depart from the written page into freewheeling expressivity and jazz improvisation, whilst the composition honours all of Vivaldi’s themes, deriving the “opened up” sections, from them.

“’The Forever Seed’ was written two years earlier. I had wanted to write a concerto for Thomas for a long time and, enjoying his ability to loosen himself from the written page, created improvised interludes between the movements. I do not play on this but conducted the orchestra, which includes a cimbalom. This instrument acts rather like glue, playing in the improvised sections along with Simcock and Gould, as well as the string orchestra. The music here is a nostalgic dedication to the pastoral classical music I heard in the family home as a child.”

Concerning his new relationship with the Ubuntu Music record label, Tim elaborates: “I am delighted to be partnering with Ubuntu on this, my most ambitious release to date: ‘Moment Of Departure’ has allowed me to exercise my passion as composer and inhabit the hybrid worlds within the musical genres I love so much. I thank Martin (Hummel) and the Ubuntu team for having faith in this double release!”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “Tim always has been and remains one of my absolute favourite artists, as a composer, arranger and as a multi-instrumentalist. When the opportunity surfaced to represent what is arguably the most ambitious undertaking of his illustrious career, it was a dream come true, for the label and for me. ‘Moment Of Departure’ is a mesmerizing musical journey of two halves: the 20th anniversary of the Lighthouse Trio, and an extension of this by showcasing Tim’s compositional and arrangement skills to also include the Britten Sinfonia orchestra, featuring the exceptional talent of violinist Thomas Gould. The artwork for the project was created by the gifted painter, Esra Kizir Gokcen, depicting the plight into the unknown. The music refuses to be categorized. Is it Jazz? Classical? ‘Jazzical’? ‘Clazz’? Frankly, it really doesn’t matter. Its effect will draw listeners from various musical persuasions to celebrate a strikingly exceptional cacophony of genres to please the head, the heart and the soul. We are absolutely delighted to have Tim join the Ubuntu Music Family. May this be the start of many more to come on our journey together.”

Tom Cawley is one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists. He has performed worldwide - in major clubs, venues and festivals – with some of the country’s leading artists, most notably Peter Gabriel, with whom he has also recorded two albums and a live DVD. As an artist in his own right he has performed, recorded and broadcast extensively over the last ten years.
 

As well as an award-winning pianist, Cawley is also a composer, bandleader and educator. His group, Curios, won Best Band the 2008 BBC Jazz Awards, and their three albums have been hugely critically acclaimed – described as “extraordinary” in MOJO, “spellbinding”in The Independent, “fantastic” in Time Out and “a shining light for British jazz” in Musician magazine. They have performed at the Barbican, the Royal Festival Hall, Ronnie Scott’s and at all of the UK’s major jazz festivals, as well as in Europe (most notably at North Sea Jazz).
 
As a freelance jazz piano player, Tom regularly leads the house band at Ronnie Scott's club, and he is also a professor of jazz piano at the Royal Academy of Music.

‘Catenaccio’, Tom’s latest album, will be released on Ubuntu Music in May 2019.

Line-Up:

Tom Cawley - Keys

Fini Bearman - vocals

Gareth Lockrane - Flute

Rom Mullarkey - Bass

Chris Higginbottom - Drums

For website, please click HERE.

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of pianist/composer/arranger Tomasz Bura for his solo album release, The Room Upstairs, on 4th December 2020.

Tomasz was born in Poland. He studied classical piano for a year at the music Academy of Katowice and graduated with distinction at the Stanislaw Moniuszko Music School in Zabrze in classical piano, harmony and improvisation.

Tomasz moved to London and quickly became a part of the London jazz fusion and funk scene. He has performed and toured across Europe and Africa, including France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Turkey and Nigeria. He was a session musician and collaborator on various live and studio projects with the members of Jamiroquai, Sola Akingbola (Generation Vex), Incognito, Wretch 32, Fine Young Cannibals, PB Underground, Reel People, Marcus Anderson (Prince) and world-renowned guitarist Alex Hutchings.

Tomasz has appeared at some of the top London venues, including the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. He has performed live on various TV and radio shows including MTV, BBC, Channel 1, BBC Radio 1, BBC London Radio and TSF Jazz in Paris.

In 2015, Tomasz released his first solo piano album, ‘Ritual’, and created his jazz ensemble which in 2018 became ‘The Scientists’.

For his latest solo piano project, ‘The Room Upstairs’, Tomasz recorded at the prestigious Steinway Recording Studio in Fulbeck, United Kingdom, in February 2018. This impassioned and emotive music without words speaks through the language of harmonies and dynamics. The compositions and improvisations tell the story about love, transformation and challenges of life. It's a nostalgic and exquisite journey, written in notes by the artist through his fingers on the piano keys.

As Tomasz explains, “I enjoy and create various kinds of music. I compose for and perform with my own modern jazz group, ‘The Scientists’, and write for ensembles, always searching for the new, unknown sound. Yet the relationship with the solo piano is particularly personal and shows a different part of me. Through solo piano, I feel like the spiritual and more sensual part of me shows up and it wants to be released. Three years after ‘Ritual’, my first solo piano album, I have another statement. ‘Ritual’ and ‘The Room Upstairs’ close certain chapters of my life and start new ones. This project was inspired by and dedicated to my partner and vocalist, Rouhangeze Baichoo.”

Concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu Music, Tomasz elaborated, “Martin Hummel has been extremely supportive to me as an artist. For many years now I could count on his professional, honest advice and opinion. I trust his expertise and believe he can take my music to the next level of visibility. I could see the growth of Ubuntu Music throughout the years and I'm immensely impressed by Martin's dedication and drive in the way he works. His catalogue of artists includes some of the finest musicians from England and abroad. I feel very privileged to become a member of this exciting family. I hope this new partnership will bring a lot of beautiful and inspiring music right to your ears. Truly looking forward to this!”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, summed things up by saying, “It’s a joy and an honour to be finally and officially working with Tomasz. I have been courting him for a number of years, given his deep and broad-ranging talent. And now is the right time to begin our relationship with his solo project, ‘The Room Upstairs’, and to follow this up in time with equally amazing music. There is so much that Tomasz has to offer, and we’re delighted for him to share his music with the world, as the newest member of the Ubuntu Music Family.”

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of the talented young ensemble, Tomorrow’s New Quartet, for the release of their debut album, All Together, Now!, on 20th May 2022.

Led by drummer Rod Oughton, the music was born out of the deepest, darkest depths of lockdown. It was composed in isolation in his north-west London flat, in the latter half of 2020, and rehearsed at irregular intervals throughout the spring months of the following year (restrictions allowing).

Rod is a British jazz drummer/composer who is currently based in Amsterdam. He has worked with the James Taylor Quartet, Hailey Tuck and Hudson Taylor, and has performed in Cuba, Dubai and Saudi Arabia as well as all over the UK and Europe. His own band, OK Aurora, released their debut album to a sold-out Pizza Express Soho audience in August 2021. The album went on be featured by BBC Introducing and Jazz FM and received a 5 Star review from Jazz Journal.

Rod explains the genesis of his latest project: “I think the music encompasses everything I was feeling during that period, from fear and uncertainty to fleeting moments of optimism. There’s even one tune on the album dedicated to my neighbour who sadly passed away from Covid related complications in November 2020.”

Rod continues: “I named the band ‘Tomorrow’s New Quartet’ as I felt it embodied the optimism that composing this music and arranging the recording of this album gave me. This project provided a sense of purpose during that challenging period, and this album is the final product of all that work. The band’s line up comprises of Helena Kay, Deschanel Gordon, Flo Moore and myself. These guys are some of my favourite musicians to play with and I felt super lucky that they agreed to get involved and continued to contribute so much to the project.”

Scottish saxophonist Helena Kay has recently spent time in New York City, studying and playing locally. Electric bass extraordinaire Flo Moore continues to manage her hectic schedule, performing and recording. And keyboard ace Deschanel Gordon, BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year, maintains his relentlessly demanding schedule.

Concerning his extended relationship with Ubuntu Music, Rod elaborates: “I’m really happy to release this album on Ubuntu. Martin’s help with the debut OK Aurora release (‘Only In Autumn’) was invaluable and I feel very lucky that he is involved with this release as well. I really feel as though Ubuntu is a force for good in UK Jazz, and the fact that they work just as hard for emerging artists as they do for their top talent is testament to this.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, shares his perspective: “It was a pleasure working with Rod on his OK Aurora release last year. When he approached me about Tomorrow’s New Quartet, it was a no-brainer. Helena, Deschanel and Flo have all appeared on previous Ubuntu releases. It’s an exceptional line-up and they delivered a fantastic record. These four are ones to watch. Welcome to the Ubuntu Music Family.”

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the upcoming release of Anthropometricks, Trio HLK’s next project, on 15th March 2024. This will be the group’s second release on the Ubuntu Music record label.

The core members of the ensemble are Rich Harrold (piano), Ant Law (guitar) and Rich Kass (drums).

Trio HLK have developed a unique language, drawn from the most exciting elements of contemporary classical music and contemporary jazz. Their compositions play with perceptual ambiguities, using all kinds of rhythmic tricks and sonic illusions. Their second album, Anthropometricks, captures the evolution the Trio has undergone since the release of their debut album, Standard Time, and subsequent extensive international touring - both in the trio format and with long-time collaborator Evelyn Glennie. Anthropometricks also marks the beginning of two new exciting creative partnerships: with cellist Natalie Clein and vocalist Varijashree Venugopal.

The seven compositions on the album are grown from fragments of various jazz standards. Each piece is new but listen closely and shards of the original can be glimpsed within. Utilising the various instrumental combinations made available by the addition of the guest artists, the album presents a rich pallet of distinct sonic worlds and narrative journeys.

As the band explains, “On ‘Anthropometricks’, we are excited to have documented the development the music has undergone since our first release - compositionally and improvisationally. We have also thrown two incredible new collaborators into the mix to see what would happen!"

Concerning their continuing relationship with Ubuntu Music, the band continues, “It's a pleasure to take another step forward in our extremely happy working relationship with Ubuntu.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “Trio HLK is a group of truly exceptional musicians. They describe their music as littered with metric modulations and metric tricks. We call it a sonic world all its own, that navigates classical structures within jazz improvisation. When combined with the magical percussive talent of Dame Evelyn Glennie, along with special guest Natalie Clein (cello) and Varijashree Venugopal (vocals), the listener is seduced by an intoxicating audio cocktail for the mind and the spirit. We are delighted to represent this outstanding release, as Trio HLK continues to grow as part of the Ubuntu Music Family.”

TRIO HLK BIOGRAPHY

In a world which celebrates the virtuosity of the individual, HLK’s vision has been to develop their ensemble virtuosity, compelled by a unified vision. The music comprises precise notated sections, moments of conversational interaction and room for individual improvisation. It is a delicate but powerful balance. This unique, interdependent rhythmic language has required unparalleled commitment, but yielded astonishing results. The trio’s music is celebrated for being emotionally and cerebrally challenging yet accessible, captivating audiences young and old across the UK and mainland Europe.

HLK have completed their second recorded volume: Anthropometricks. Their unique musical relationship with Dame Evelyn Glennie has evolved and the results captured in five of the eight compositions on the album. Two additional artists have also been invited into the fray. British Cellist Natalie Clein’s rich tone and melodic interpretation add a wealth of texture. Varijashree Venugopal contributes a spell-binding vocal performance, including an incredible improvisation on the title track. This is due for release early 2024.

Since their first meeting on New Year’s Day in 2015, Rich Harrold, Ant Law and Rich Kass have worked tirelessly on the careful blend of ingredients which are distilled into Trio’s music. They often disassemble common jazz standards, building entirely new pieces from the motifs contained within them. Often, two or more themes are set in motion simultaneously, creating kaleidoscopic and shape-shifting sounds. The resultant harmonies and rhythms can be incredibly simple and sonorous, or fiercely complex and dissonant.

In 2016 HLK embarked upon the recording of their debut album and so began their long-term partnership with Dame Evelyn Glennie, one of the world’s greatest rhythmicists. ‘Standard Time’ was released in 2018 to great critical acclaim, followed by extensive touring. The collaboration with Evelyn brought the Trio’s music to new audiences and the music found itself being rapturously received in jazz clubs and concert halls alike. Gramophone Magazine singled out the Trio as ‘True Innovators’ whilst their debut live performance was described by Jazzwise as an “extraordinary performance that was in a class all of its own”.

Rich, Ant, Rich, Evelyn, Natalie and Varijashree look forward to performing for you soon.

For Website, Click HERE.

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the upcoming release of View From Above, the debut album from UK drummer/composer/producer Tristan Banks, which will be released on 31st March 2023.

Tristan draws on over 30 years of experience as a sideman for many Grammy award-winning and platinum selling artists. Mixing influences from the jazz, Latin jazz and fusion idioms, the music is a unique combination of high-octane virtuosic performance and sublimely melodic composition. Banks brings together his long-standing musical friends--Paul Booth (saxes), John Crawford (piano) and Davide Mantovani (bass)--to articulate his musical vision.

Tristan explains: “The idea was to push the acoustic jazz quartet format to the limit, being able to re-image the possibilities that the classic saxophone, piano, bass, drums line-up can manifest, and by being conscious of the sonic traditions that are typically replayed to confirm the listeners tastes while avoiding the genres timbral clichés.”

Tristan continues: “I have always had an interest in music that makes you move as well as simulating the mind with musical interplay and deeper compositional concepts, so the idea was to select tunes that I had written over the last 15 years and record them in a live performance setting with no click track or isolation recording techniques. This created a perfect environment to generate and capture the musical energy of the performance.”

Concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu Music, Tristan elaborates: “Ubuntu feels like the perfect fit for me, with many of my musical friends releasing their music through the label, and as the UK jazz scene goes from strength to strength, I’m really happy to be working with Martin (Hummel) to bring my music into the world.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “I’ve been well-aware of Tristan’s excellent musicianship for some time. He had a key role in TRYPL’s debut album last year, and frequently plays with Paul Booth, who has released a number of albums on the label. We’re thrilled to have Tristan join the Ubuntu Music Family for his debut release. With an outstanding line-up of musicians, this will be one for all to thoroughly enjoy.”

For Website, Click HERE.

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of TRYPL -- featuring the superb horn section of Trevor Mires (trombone), Ryan Quigley (trumpet) and Paul Booth (saxophones) -- for the worldwide release of their debut album, ‘TRYPL’, on 21st August 2020.

TRYPL is a UK based Latin Jazz outfit co-founded by the horn section consisting of Trevor, Ryan and Paul. This is new and fresh original music, penned by these three esteemed musicians, along with special guest Alex Wilson (piano). The band is also joined by powerhouses Dimitris Christopoulos (bass), Edwin Sanz (percussion), Tristan Banks (drums) and Davide Giovannini (drums).

Their professional credentials read like the Who’s Who in today’s music.

Trevor Mires has been at the forefront of the London music scene for nearly 15 years.

His credits are wide ranging. He has performed with, among others, George Benson, recorded and toured with multi-instrumentalist James Morrison, toured with Michel Le Grand, and recorded with Pat Metheny, Toots Thielemans and David Sanborn. Trevor was a member of jazz funk band Jamiroquai and Incognito, recording and touring with both for a number of years. Trevor is currently trombonist/arranger for Sir Tom Jones, and recently toured with Randy Brecker’s European Big Band, as well as recording with Radiohead and performing with Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, and recording and performing with Mark Ronson.

Ryan Quigley is one of the most in-demand lead and jazz trumpet players in the UK as well as a highly regarded composer, arranger and educator. His recent recording and touring work include dates with Quincy Jones, Ron Carter, Aretha Franklin, Harry Connick Jr, George Michael, Gregory Porter, Michael Bublé and Robbie Williams. As a lead and guest principal trumpeter he has appeared with the Grammy-winning Metropole Orkest, the Halle Orchestra, the Berlin Staatskapelle, the Royal Northern Sinfonia, the BBC Scottish Symphony and Royal Scottish National Orchestras, the RTE Concert and Symphony Orchestras, and the BBC Big Band. Ryan is a winner of a Parliamentary Jazz Award, Scottish Jazz Award and a UK Jazz Services Award.

Paul Booth is the in-demand sax man on today’s music scene. His ability to blend into any musical surrounding coupled with his talents as a multi-instrumentalist has led to him being regularly chosen to perform with many well-known artists. Paul has toured, performed and recorded around the world with The Eagles, Eric Clapton, Steely Dan, Carlos Santana, Van Morrison, The Allman Brothers Band, Bonnie Raitt, Chaka Khan, Kylie Minogue, Jamiroquai, Gregory Porter, Barry Manilow, Warren Haynes, Marti Pellow, Derek Trucks, Eddie Henderson, Geoffrey Keezer, Clarence Penn and Ingrid Jensen. He has worked with Incognito, Brand New Heavies and The BBC Big Band. Paul currently performs his own music with a number of different groups.

Complementing this spectacular line-up is a number of exceptional musicians in their own right:

Alex Wilson (piano): Wynton Marsalis, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Ernest Ranglin, Hugh Masekela, Courtney Pine, Snowboy & The Latin Section, Bobby Watson and Cheo Feliciano.

Dimitris Christopoulos (bass): Tito Nieves, Jerry Rivera, Jose Alberto “El Canario”, Mercado Negro, Alex Wilson, Malia, Pee Wee Ellis, Matt Bianco.

Edwin Sanz (percussion): Rodrigo & Gabriel, Adalberto Santiago, Africando, Gypsy Kings, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz.

Tristan Banks (drums): David Gilmour, Roy Ayers, Carleen Anderson, Andy Sheppard, Marcos Valle, Hamish Stewart, Steve Howe, Snowboy and The Latin Section, Idris Mohammed, Pete King.

Davide Giovannini (drums): Steve Winwood, Bjork, Paul McCartney, Lisa Stansfield, Jocelyn Brown, Pet Shop Boys, Marcos Valle, Bebel Gilberto.

The album was recorded at keyboard artist Steve Winwood’s Wincraft Studios in The Cotswolds. As Trevor Mires explains: "Having had the immense pleasure of doing many recordings and gigs together as a horn section, it soon transpired that we had all spent many of our formative years as professional musicians touring and recording with many great salsa, boogaloo, and merengue bands, both in the UK and around the world. Combined with our love for the Latin Jazz idiom, the fast paced, high impact and groovy seed for TRYPL was born.

“We were lucky enough to record at the legendary Wincraft studios, Steve Winwood’s private recording studio. It’s a beautiful location, set in the picturesque countryside of The Cotswolds and it provided the perfect, inspirational setting to make and record music along with some of our favourite musician friends.

“We each penned a few tracks. Some were written many weeks prior to the recording date and others were written between recording, eating, sleeping and drinking!

“We hope you enjoy this album as much as we enjoyed making it…”

Ryan Quigley commented further, saying, “We are extremely proud to be releasing this exciting and timely album with the Ubuntu Music record label. It has been a joy from concept to recording and I can’t wait to share the high energy, feel-good vibe of TRYPL!”

Paul Booth further elaborated, commented, “This project was the result of the friendship between three musicians, getting together to make great music. I released my previous album, ‘Travel Sketches’, on Ubuntu Music and the relationship with Martin (Hummel) has been a real success. We believe Ubuntu is just the right home for TRYPL”.

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, said, “This is a line-up made in music heaven. The horn section is untouchable, and the rest of the band are leaders in their own right. The decision to sign TRYPL was, frankly speaking, a no-brainer. And extending the excellent relationship with Paul Booth was the icing on a spectacular cake for us. We simply cannot wait to share this music with the world!”

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of the highly gifted Israeli pianist and composer, Uriel Herman and his quartet, featuring trumpet player Itamar Borochov. The album, Different Eyes, is scheduled for release on 7th July 2023.

Uriel has been performing worldwide--with his quartet and as a soloist--over the past eight years. His sound draws from his classical piano upbringing with a mastery of complex Middle Eastern rhythms and melodies.

“Many musicians can create the obvious. Only few can make every gesture, every note, every moment and every choice not only brilliant, but as if it were the only possibility. Tonight, Uriel Herman’s quartet smashed the gigantic door…”

Alexandre Fournet, “Eclats’demail Jazz edition” (France)

Uriel describes the idea behind Different Eyes, his upcoming album: "We all have one pair of eyes but there are countless layers of seeing. We can see or choose to look. Our memories and dreams are painted in different colours every time we visit them and therefore each moment gives a singular meaning to looking in and out. ‘Different Eyes’ is an intimate portrait that begins in my childhood streets of Jerusalem and goes all the way to a lullaby that I sing to my son.”

The line-up for Different Eyes, Uriel’s third album, consists of Uriel Herman/piano, Itamar Borochov/trumpet, Uriel Weinberger/woodwinds, Avri Borochov/contrabass, Haim Peskoff/drums and Maayan Doari/percussion.

Uriel continues: “It begins with memories. ‘Jerusalem’, a duet with Trumpeter Itamar Borochov, is a melody inspired by fragments of my childhood memories from Jerusalem streets. The two continue into a fragile rendition of ‘Nature Boy’. Then comes the Quartet with ‘MJ’, a tribute to Michael Jordan, one of the greatest American basketball players of all time.

“When we close our eyes, we open a door to dreams, fantasies, illusion and more. In a way, they give us a new pair of eyes. This forms in the shape of ‘Fantasia’, and in pieces written for my band that explore complex rhythms and grooves. Among them is an interpretation of Nirvana’s ‘Polly’. The last song on the album is ‘Yakinton’.”

Uriel shares his view on his new partnership with Ubuntu Music: “I’m really excited about the relationship with Ubuntu. They are one of the only labels that understand the direction that the industry is headed. And I believe that together we will release some unbelievably beautiful music.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “I initially met Uriel in 2022 at the Jazzahead international conference in Bremen, Germany. I was immediately struck by the passion of this young artist, along with his ambitions for his career. As the recordings progressed, I was mesmerised by the depth, the beauty and the intensity of Uriel’s compositions and his performance of these. There is something very special here, for all the world to enjoy. We welcome Uriel to the Ubuntu Music Family.”

Biography

In January 2019 Uriel released his most recent title, Face to Face, with the French label, Laborie Jazz. The album is comprised of Uriel’s original music and unique arrangements to songs by David Bowie and Mordechai Zeira.

“In ‘Face to Face’, Herman throws himself into an oriental cauldron and ‘hears’ in a colourful virtuosity. Uriel’s version of Bowie’s ‘The Man Who Sold the World’ is one of the best covers in the history of broadly understood entertainment music!”

Marcin Puławski Laboratorium Muzycznych, (Poland)

“It is one of the richest, most creative and interesting albums I’ve recently heard in the jazz, classical, ethnic and rock seams.”

Yossi Harsonski, Haronski Music (Israel)

Also in 2019, Herman was commissioned by the Jenaer Philharmonic Orchestra to write three pieces for a jazz quartet and orchestra titled “The Dialogues”. The pieces were played with the orchestra as part of Jazzmeile Thuringen Festival in Weimar.

The Uriel Herman Quartet was created following the recording of Uriel’s first album, Awake. Since then, the quartet has been travelling across the world, performing in major festivals and venues, including The Forbidden City Concert Hall (Beijing, China), Festival Jazz Sous Les Pommiers (Coutances, FR), Centro Cultural Kirchner (Argentina), Stanford University (CA, USA), Jarasum Jazz Festival (South-Korea), Taichung Jazz Festival (Taiwan), Festival Eclats d’Email Jazz (Limoges, FR), Duc de Lombards (Paris, FR), Red Sea Jazz Festival (Eilat, Israel) and many more.

In early 2017, Uriel composed a rhapsody for Jazz Quartet & Orchestra: White Night. This piece was the result of a long journey he started in the jungles of Costa Rica as he underwent a shamanic ceremony with his father. For him, this was a life-changing moment, sending him into a deep writing and composing process which led to this 21-minute rhapsody.

“The pianist-leader brought a classical touch and mastery of complex rhythms to an exhilarating programme of ‘Bach-to-Brazil’”

Bob Weiri, Jazz Journal UK

In mid-2015 the quartet recorded a live session in the Montefiore Windmill in Jerusalem in front of a small audience of friends and family. The Windmill Sessions led the quartet to international recognition, followed by headline spots on major jazz festivals in Asia, Europe and the US.

In 2014, Uriel released his first solo album, Awake, which led to the creation of The Uriel Herman Quartet and was named one of Israels’ Top Five Albums of The Year. The album contains original compositions, arrangements to songs by Nirvana and Radiohead, as well as new melodies set to poems by Israeli poets, Yehuda Amichai and Tirza Attar.

“This singular and modern approach to music, reinforced by the passion and dexterity of the musicians who accompany it, makes Uriel Herman one of the most exciting pianists in the jazz scene today and an unavoidable discovery. “

France Musique

Uriel is a graduate of the Jerusalem Music Academy and studied composition under composers Prof. Andre Hajdu and Prof. Michael Wolpe. He also studied piano with the internationally renowned pianist Ilana Vered as well as with Prof. Assaf Zohar. He has played in classical music recitals as a solo pianist at the Perugia Music Festival in Italy and the Moulin d’Andé Festival in France, amongst others.

For Website, Click HERE.

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the continuation of its successful relationship with Wandering Monster, the progressive jazz ensemble, for the release of Zenna on 28th July 2023.

Zenna is Wandering Monster’s second full length album and their third release on the Ubuntu label. It features four new original compositions as well as interpretations of pieces by Jaco Pastorius and Randy Newman. Like the group’s previous releases, the record is a blend of infectious, off-kilter grooves, catchy hooks, ferocious soloing, spontaneous collective improvisation and emotive, hypnotic vamps. The band continues to cultivate a unique sound but also venture into previously unexplored territory, flirting with free improvisation, minimalism and through-composed material. Expect to be taken on an emotional journey through sound-worlds that are intense and raucous, yet sensitive and thoughtful.

Bassist and band leader Sam Quintana explains: “The music on this album is the best the band has ever sounded and is certainly the most inspiring and accomplished project I personally have been a part of. With the release of our two singles Metropolis/Division in 2020 we hit upon a really exciting creative process which produced some amazing results. I was desperate to build on this momentum and work towards a second full length album, but the Covid-19 lockdowns interrupted this creative flow. We were unable to get together to play together, but I managed to keep on writing with the band in mind. It was never my intention to write a ‘lockdown album’, but ultimately the music on this record is a product of the host of emotions I felt during that time. I wanted to challenge myself and the band with this new material, so some of the music sees us venture into new sonic territory. As well as what you may expect from Wandering Monster, there is free improvisation, minimalism, arco bass playing and an interpretation of an Americana pop ballad. I’m glad we’re now through a challenging period and I am incredibly excited to begin a new chapter for the band with this release!”

Sam continues, describing his ongoing relationship with Ubuntu Music: “I am thrilled to be continuing our relationship with Martin (Hummel) and Ubuntu Music. Since we first began working together in 2018, I have enjoyed seeing the label go from strength to strength, releasing an extensive body of music from both exciting emerging artists as well as internationally renowned musicians at the top of the jazz tree. Martin’s passion for music is clear to see and we are delighted to be a part of Ubuntu Music’s fabulous roster.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “We continue to build on the successful and dynamic relationship with Sam and Wandering Monster. These guys question the status quo of what we refer to as jazz, and it into something surprising, exciting, and always professional at the highest level. We are so happy to call them members of the Ubuntu Music Family and always look forward to discovering what they will do next.”​

Line-Up:                                                                  

 Sam Quintana- Double Bass/Compositions

Ben Powling- Tenor Saxophone

Calvin Travers- Guitar

Rich Harrold- Piano/Keys

Tom Higham- Drums

For website, please click HERE.

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of percussionist Will Glaser for his trio album release, Climbing in Circles, on 22nd January 2021.

Will, a Nottinghamshire born drummer and percussionist, mixes an eclectic range of influences in a drumming style that is musical, melodic and deeply rooted in the Jazz tradition. His inspiration draws on every corner of Jazz history, from traditional and early Jazz styles and New Orleans music to Free Jazz and improvised music, but also Rock music, experimental music, singer songwriters and pretty much anything that makes a sound. Will’s playing style is a charming combination of both the familiar and surprising.

Will moved to London in 2010 to study Jazz at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. After graduating in 2014 he quickly became an in-demand sideman for a startling array of British and International Jazz musicians. The exhaustive list includes Soweto Kinch, Yazz Ahmed, Kit Downes, Nikki Iles, Dame Clio Lane, Alex Garnett, Laura Jurd, Empirical, Ian Shaw, and Jason Rebello, to mention just a few.

Climbing in Circles, Will’s latest, is the culmination of a three-year project, exploring his musical relationships with Matthew Herd (sax) and Liam Noble (piano). This third album sees the joining of Liam and Matt in a bass-less trio setting, the logical conclusion after Will’s two previous duo releases. For this record, Will chose to depart from the same choice of repertoire as recorded previously, as the new tune choices represent the musical growth of these partnerships. Threaded together by explorative improvisations, the trio plays tunes from a range of sources…some standard repertoire, a Tom Waits song, a Paul Motion tune and a Don Cherry composition.

In this very intimate setting, these musicians explore all the possibilities of this slightly unusual ensemble. Explorations in sound and colour give way to heavy grooves and walls of energy, strong melodies and transportive atmospheres which link improvisation and compositions alike.

Will describes the project: “This album means an awful lot to me. Playing with Liam Noble and Matt Herd is such a trip. I guess this record sums up everything I love about music. We play standards and compositions from my heroes, and spontaneously create new music in the moment. I really feel I can be myself with these musicians. We are all drawing from this large bag of great music we all love and so nothing is really off the cards. When we play the tunes it’s with this very open mindset of seeing what will happen. It always feels really open and new things surprise me every time. When we play free, they come out like miniature compositions. I’m so happy to get to share this music. It feels really warm and inviting to me.”

And, concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu Music, Will explains, “I’m hugely grateful to Martin (Hummel) and Ubuntu for inviting me into the fold. The ethos of this Label is so open and refreshing. They represent a huge cross-section of what’s happening musically in London and further afield, which is really exciting and it’s an honour to be included. It’s a great pleasure to be involved with this Label. I thank them in championing new and emerging artists and giving a platform to a vast breadth of Jazz music.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, shares his thoughts: “I’ve been an admirer of Will’s talent for some time now. It seemed like every other time I went to a live show, Will would be playing. He’s got such breadth and diversity of style. When you combine this with Matt (Herd) and Liam (Noble), you’ve got an exotic musical cocktail. When Will approached me about this project, I was both excited and nervous, as Will creatively pushed us outside of our comfort zone, which is exactly what we needed. We are thrilled to be working with Will and look forward to developing our new partnership.”

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of internationally acclaimed pianist/composer Yoko Miwa, to release her forthcoming album late this year.

Yoko is one of the most powerful and compelling performers on the scene today. Her trio, with its remarkable telepathy and infectious energy, has brought audiences to their feet worldwide. Their latest album, 2019’s Keep Talkin’, showcases Miwa’s fine playing and artful compositions and the trio’s uncanny musical camaraderie. DownBeat gave this recording four stars, calling it “a beautifully constructed album” and noting “the drive and lyricism of a pianist and composer at home in bebop, gospel, pop, and classical.” USA’s JazzTimes also reviewed the album favourably, praising Miwa’s “jaw-dropping degree of technique.” The album enjoyed seven weeks in the Top 10 on Jazz Week’s charts, much like its predecessor, Miwa’s 2017 release Pathways, which also made Jazz Week’s top 10 for a number of weeks. In a 2017 feature article on Miwa, DownBeat noted her “impressive technique and a tuneful lyricism that combines an Oscar Peterson-ish hard swing with Bill Evans-like introspection.”

For the past decade Miwa’s trio has played regularly at major jazz clubs in their home city of Boston, as well as venues around the world. A favourite of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Miwa was chosen to play on “Marian McPartland & Friends”, part of the Coca-Cola Generations in Jazz Festival. She was also chosen to perform at Lincoln Center’s annual Jazz and Leadership Workshop for The National Urban League’s Youth Summit. Miwa also appears regularly at New York’s famed Blue Note Jazz Club and Birdland, and has performed and/or recorded with a wide range of jazz greats including Sheila Jordan, Slide Hampton, Arturo Sandoval, George Garzone, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi, Esperanza Spalding, Terri Lyne Carrington, Kevin Mahogany, John Lockwood and Johnathan Blake among others. In 2018 she performed on the main stage at the Atlanta Jazz Festival and the Litchfield Jazz Festival, where her trio drew the largest audience of any act. She is a Yamaha Pianos Artist, JVC Victor Entertainment recording artist, 2019 Boston Music Awards Jazz Artist of the Year, and Boston Phoenix Best Music poll winner.

Miwa’s story of becoming a jazz musician is full of serendipity and happy twists of fate. In the late 1990s the classically trained artist auditioned for Berklee College of Music on a lark and ended up winning a full scholarship. She arrived at the school from her homeland of Japan in 1997, intending to stay for a year. In 2020, she’s still in Boston, enriching the city’s musical life and serving as one of the most popular professors in the Berklee piano department.

Act Naturally, the Yoko Miwa Trio’s major label debut in Japan, came out in 2012 on the JVC Victor Entertainment label and the band toured Japan that same year. “She is one of the best jazz pianists in Japan,” said Yozo Iwanami of Jazz Hihyo Magazine.

A native of Kobe, Japan, Miwa didn’t pursue an interest in jazz until she met and studied with Minoru Ozone, a popular television organist and nightclub owner who is the father of pianist Makoto Ozone. Miwa worked at Ozone’s club and as an accompanist and piano instructor at his music school until the great Kobe earthquake of 1995 destroyed both facilities. Then, while continuing to take private lessons from Minoru Ozone, she also pursued musical studies at the Koyo Conservatory in Kobe. From there she won first prize in a scholarship competition to attend Berklee.

Concerning Miwa’s signing with Ubuntu Music, the artist explains her decision: “Since my identity as a jazz musician cannot be simply expressed in a singular emotion or atmosphere, signing with the Ubuntu label is fate. The meaning, ‘I am because we are’, is already a natural fit with who I am as a musician and what I express through my music which is a wide-ranging palette. On my initial release I plan to show just that by merely being myself, playing in service of the music instead of self-serving. Connecting with audiences through music has been my mantra as long as I've been a jazz performer. My debut on the Ubuntu label will feature my signature calling card of playing in different jazz contexts with spontaneity and clarity…from Monk to Zeppelin, Milt Jackson to Milton Nascimento and more, as well as featuring a healthy dose of my original compositions.”

Laura Hess-Hay, President of Ellora Management, who manages Ahmad Jamal, Hiromi, Marialy Pacheco, Ubuntu’s Hakan Başar and now Yoko Miwa, said, " Ellora Management is so filled with gratitude to Martin Hummel and Ubuntu Music for the signing of our new artist, Yoko Miwa. Martin and Ubuntu have such high standards when choosing their artists as they also help guide each artist in developing their full potential. Ellora Management and Yoko Miwa are elated to be a part the Ubuntu Family!”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, describes the Label’s latest signing: “I was first introduced to Yoko by Laura Hess-Hay, head of Ellora Management, which represents Ahmad Jamal, Hiromi, Marialy Pacheco and, most recently, Hakan Başar, one of Ubuntu’s talented young artists. Laura had just signed Yoko and waxed lyrically about her, inviting me to consider releasing Yoko’s music. It was love at first sight and first sound. Yoko is an exceedingly gifted individual, who effortlessly weaves between a variety of contemporary musical counterparts, while always expressing the music through her own voice. It is a joy to be working with Yoko and with Laura, as Yoko joins our growing and increasingly dynamic Ubuntu Music Family.”

For Website, Click HERE.

Given the successful work for the strategy and rebranding of the former Jazz Services to the newly launched JazzUK, Martin Hummel was invited to join C8 Associates as Consultant and Non-Executive Director.

C8 Associates specialises in working with creative businesses to take them to the next level of their development.

The services provided include:

Public Affairs

Business Development

Non-Exec Directors

Coaching

C8 Associates believe that, no matter what challenge a company faces in growing its business, C8 Associates has the people to deliver against the immediate needs of that business.

For Website, Click HERE.

In 2013, Martin Hummel began his association with Edition Records as a result of a negotiation he was spearheading on behalf of an artist who was seeking an extension to his existing recording contract.

Hummel had never met Edition's founder, Dave Stapleton, prior to the negotiation.

The negotiation was a success and, as a result, in 2014 Stapleton ultimately invited Hummel to become the non-Executive Chairman and shareholder of Edition Records.

Hummel became engaged in the business and the strategic issues the Label faced. Within a short period, Edition evolved from a cottage business to a registered company, with a newly defined strategy and a long term plan for its future success.

Edition Records now has the reputation as an innovative record label.

After four years, in 2018 Martin resigned as non-Executive Chairman and has subsequently sold back his shares in Edition.

For Website, Click HERE.

Jazz Services, an organisation for the promotion and well-being of jazz and jazz-related music in the UK, faced a critical cross-roads concerning its future in 2015.

Martin Hummel, a lifetime lover of the music, was invited by the Board to assist them in repositioning the offering and helping to define a new way forward. With a series of immersive sessions involving key stakeholders, the team defined a new way forward.

Built on the 30 year track record of support for jazz musicians across the Country, JazzUK was the new face of Jazz Services.  During the first half of 2015, JazzUK developed new partnerships and strands of work to move swiftly in to top gear.
 
JazzUK was a progressive organisation that united the jazz and wider artistic communities by sharing the power of jazz music to increasingly greater and diverse audiences.

JazzUK’s mission was facilitate those who play jazz to entertain those who love to listen, and to encourage the next generation to fall in love with jazz.

At the end of 2017, JazzUK’s assets were transferred to MusicTank, a unique, non-profit information hub for UK music business.

For Website, Click HERE.

Krow, a state-of-the-art online recruitment offering, which uses the Facebook social media platform, came to us to do everything for them, other than naming the company. And we did. It’s been in test and is going global, with fantastic early results.

80% of people around the world hate their jobs.

Imagine if you could find the perfect career match, quickly, easily and in a completely different way. Krow does just that, online.

The introductory viral brought the notion of work happiness to life and directed people to the Krow microsite, as the first step to being “work happy”.

The film was seen online by over 300,000 people in the first week it launched…in Belgium.

As Frank Aernout, Chisf Executive Officer of Krow NV said, “Krow is an international state-of-the-art online job recruitment service that uses proprietary semantic language matching software to identify the perfect fit between job candidate and employer prospect. A few years back, we came to Martin with the name of the company and the technology to make it happen. Through a series of concentrated work sessions, Martin led us to identify the key consumer insight for the brand, defined its positioning and strategy, and articulated the company’s vision, mission and values. From there, he created the corporate identity and resultant communications assets, and formed a holistic plan to launch the offering. Essentially, he delivered a stunning 360° totally integrated solution--from insight through to tactical execution--which placed Krow and our “BeWorkHappy” job matching service firmly on the road to a very successful future. Martin is an outstanding practitioner in his field and we have grown to become close personal friends.”

OK, it doesn’t get much bigger or more dramatic than this, in the ad world…

Martin Hummel was responsible for the Pepsi-Cola International business at BBDO Worldwide for nearly 20 years. He was winding down his involvement with the business, when something very significant reared its ugly head.

BBDO, with all its incredible worldwide creative resource, struggled to crack a mega creative brief to combine the likes of Britney Spears, Beyonce, Pink and Enrique Iglesias for a global integrated music project on behalf of Pepsi.

Just before it becomes a lost cause (and a tragic business loss), Hummel was recruited to lend a hand. 

He refused to quit, stayed awake for nights and ended up writing the treatment that saved the day.

Hummel was Creative Director/Art Director/Copywriter/Agent/Talent Negotiator for a fully integrated campaign that ran on a global basis.
The sweetest of victories was that the ad achieved the highest copy scores in Pepsi’s history and the viral film was one of the Top 10 most viewed of its kind in the history of the internet.

And, by the way, the trend-setting Buzzfeed thinks it’s the best Pepsi commercial ever made.

Right.

A blast from Martin Hummel’s advertising past.

In his day, BBDO’s most important client was Pepsi US. The agency desperately wanted to be seen as a network (and not a ‘not-work’) but it didn’t represent the client anywhere other than the US.

So the agency put together a plan that changed BBDO’s relationship with that most important client.

BBDO was appointed Pepsi’s “International Headquarters Agency of Record” (a mouth-full), and tasked by the client to provide a consistent and relevant strategic base for its key worldwide brands (Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, 7Up and Mirinda).

The starting point needed to be Pepsi, and BBDO had to create a fully integrated campaign to conceivably run across more than 60 countries and appeal to the world’s youth.

A big ask, as Pepsi was never successful at this before, and BBDO was not a welcomed agency to the local international marketers.

So, what do you do?

You create something that no single Pepsi country could do on its own, that would resonate with the target and would make Pepsi cooler than Coke.

BBDO, under Hummel’s leadership, devised a fully integrated communications campaign for the brand, with Madonna at the centre. Advertising in all media, a world tour sponsorship, exclusive merchandise and, here’s the best bit, the opportunity to launch Madonna’s new music through a worldwide campaign which would exclusively feature the track in the advertising…for a month.

The program was originally intended to launch everywhere, except the US. BBDO presented the communications package to Roger Enrico, Pepsi’s Worldwide CEO. 

The discussion went something like this:

Roger: “How much will this cost internationally?”

BBDO: "$5 Million."

Silence...

Roger: “What about if you include the US?”

Silence...

BBDO: “Probably $10 Million.”

Roger: “OK. I like it. Go for it.”

In a half hour meeting, Pepsi’s Enrico made a $10 Million decision on gut instinct.

The first problem was that Madonna had the right of refusal on the creative work, and she was refusing everything. With a lot of research, Hummel came up with the idea that, for her to buy anything, the idea would have to play on a part of her life when she was her happiest. This was her childhood, which became the core of the campaign. The featured music was also the title to her upcoming album, “Like a Prayer”.

The two minute launch commercial was aired on the same day, at roughly the same time locally, in +60 countries and to an estimated 2.5 Billion viewers.

It was the first media roadblock ever. And it was an amazing success.

The next problem was that Madonna decided to mess things up. Shortly after the launch and while ignoring her embargo agreement, Madonna introduced her music video of the song on MTV around the world…with love scenes in a church, stigmata on her hands and burning crosses on the hills (I think you get the picture).

There were extensive repercussions in the US. Consumers, having been exposed to Madonna’s ‘interpretation’ of her song, were outraged and chose to boycott all Pepsi brands. The Pepsi-Cola Company, in a panic, withdrew the initiative in the US and began to negotiate an out-of-court settlement. And they weren’t too concerned about the rest of the world…why?

Unlike America, people in other parts of the world simply accepted Madonna as a highly creative, controversial artist. And they therefore tolerated (or turned a blind eye to) her outlandish behaviour.

Consequently, the full program died in the US (thanks to the conservative mid-West bible belt) and went on in the rest of the world (including the most Catholic of countries–Brazil, Argentina, Italy and Spain, to mention just a few), to become the successful initiative in the brand’s history.

And, for BBDO, the agency went on to be awarded in the Pepsi brands in nearly every country in the world.

Railway Children is an international children’s charity that fights for vulnerable 16 year olds and under, who live alone at risk on the streets. They asked us to update a brochure and we completely revamped every aspect of their communications activity…from corporate identity through a complete online campaign.

We created an immensely powerful film that captures a ‘life in the day of’ a young female runaway.

The idea came from the discovery that runaway children under the age of 16 often take to the streets and fade into the darkest folds of life. In essence, they become invisible. Our mandate was to make the invisible, visible once again.

The music to the film was generously donated by Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine.