Spring news ’18

My fingers have had a proper workout this spring, what with the first Jacob Collier Band gig in Hackney last month featuring Spanky McCurdy and Pedro Martins. As a trial run it went extremely well so now we know what to do with ourselves in 2019…

Andrew McCormack‘s band has also been taxing the digits as has the Jeremy Stacey Band ft. Josh Arcoleo, Jason Rebello and David Preston. I had to learn a loooooot of tunes for the epic Steely Dan Project at the 606 club, and then a tribute to Quincy with the Halle Orchestra which proved to be great practice for a gig with the actual Quincy Jones at the O2 on June 27th

Today I did a little talk for Steinberg at the Musikmesse hence my writing this post from an excellent hotel bar in Frankfurt. But its not easing off…

Next up is Jordan Rakei‘s gig at Ronnies on April 19th which i will be guesting on, followed by Anton Eger‘s new project, performing at London’s Vortex on 25th April

There’s also a gig with Hamish Stuart plus 2 nights with the Ben Jones Band at the new Pizza Express venue in Holborn. See diary for details… but more importantly, watch this!

Soul Family will be making an appearance at Love Supreme Festival and also lined up is a video shoot with Richard Spaven and Stuart McCallum in Berlin, Agnes Gosling‘s album debut in Rotterdam, and a tour with Leon Vynehall (UK electronic producer with live band and string section!) in the summer followed by a tour with José James, and Nate Smith in September playing the music of Bill Withers. There is also a new project with Tom Cawley to look forward to. He’s gone all synthy…

New mixes from Mullarkey Industries…

2 announcements for you:

I’m very proud to say that i mixed the new Richard Spaven LP. Here’s an idea of what to expect when it drops this Friday. Needless to say, the drumming and composing are next level! The album features Jordan Rakei, JameszooCleveland Watkiss and Stuart McCallum among others. Come and see us for the album launch at Jazz Refreshed this Thursday 29th June

Also freshly released is Andrew McCormack‘s “Graviton” project. Highly intricate and adventurous compositions and an incredible line up of Eska, Shabaka Hutchings, Anton Eger and of course myself on bass and also the mix!  Look out for UK shows later in the year. Here’s my favourite track

April News

It’s been a crazy few weeks. An impromptu gig with Jacob Collier, Louis Cole and myself sold out London’s Pizza Express venue in a matter of days. In case you weren’t aware, Jacob is the Finchley multi-instrumentalist prodigy not yet out of music school, with an astounding harmonic and conceptual arsenal and Louis is the truly unique drummer that makes up 50% of LA outfit Knower. This clip from the gig has understandably seen a lot of attention worldwide.

Following that was a run of gigs with the legendary pianist Jason Rebello, well known for his work with Sting, besides being the UK’s most respected pianist. Ronnie Scotts is planning to release a video of this event so i’ll let you know when that becomes available!

Jason Rebello line-up
Jason Rebello line-up

I had some great gigs with both Brendan Reilly and Hamish Stuart too, but sadly no evidence that i can find.

Meanwhile Natalie Williams and i have been working hard on her upcoming EP. Samplers to follow… but i can tell you that it is already sounding fantastic.

Gigs coming up with Bill Laurance of Snarky Puppy fame, Richard Spaven, and also a few with Stuart McCallum plus some special appearances from Soul Family Sunday.

March news

I’m just back from a stint in the Seychelles, which looked like this…10411305_10153228255071614_1960241229435720524_n
…and march is shaping up nicely. I’m recording some new music for Zero7 which is sounding very special. I’m also performing with Average White Bandmember (!) and Chaka Khan collaborator Hamish Stuart in Whitstable on March 5th and in Aberdeen on the 20th.

Some exciting news: Natalie Williams is finally recording some new material this month which Nat and I have been writing together. The awesome RAK Studios (voted studio of the year once again) will be the venue. The frankly shit-hot line-up will be James Maddren on drums, Phil Peskett on piano, Al cherry on guitar, myself on electric and ukelele bass and of course my gorgeous fiancé on vocals.

On March 15th Soul Family Sunday continues it’s 7 year run of gigs in London, currently resident @ Ronnie Scotts and this month’s guest artist is Natalie Duncan so hurry and book because it will sell out fast! . Here’s a taster

Coming soon…. My bass on upcoming recordings by Roisin Murphy, Zero 7, Eska, Bluey and Hannah Robinson

Krantz / Carlock session

I’m prettty excited to be recording with these 2 legends for some new Unidentified Flying Project tracks in a couple of weeks.

Here’s some footage of the previous session with Robbie Macintosh, Troy Miller and Spencer Cozens