Hello! I am a saxophonist and composer, and over the past 18 months I have composed a suite of music for jazz orchestra, inspired by the Celtic Wheel of the Year. The Celts historically celebrated 8 parts of the annual cycle; the solstices, equinoxes and the 4 points in between. My suite engages with each of these points and what they represent, as a celebration of natural rhythms of the earth and the changing seasons.
The experience of writing the music has been one of contemplation and spaciousness as I connect more consciously with the natural world and embrace the quiet and cold of a winter morning as well as the bright birdsong of midsummer. I feel passionately that the pace and technology of modern life distracts us from paying attention to what is all around us, and that tuning into nature is where true healing and joy arises. It is my hope that the music will help others to find within themselves a place of stillness and peace.
The Team:
The Enso Ensemble consists of some of the finest classical and jazz musicians in the UK, most of whom are also composers and bandleaders themselves, and I am hugely grateful to each of them for bringing their enthusiasm and creativity to the project. Woodwinds: Mike Chillingworth, Rachael Cohen, Helena Kay, Adam Bishop, Tamar Osborn. Brass: Anna Drysdale, Maddie Dowdeswell, Olli Martin, Eddie Curtis, Noel Langley, Reuben Fowler, Nick Smart, Robbie Robson. Rhythm Section: Alcyona Mick, Shaney Forbes, Dave Whitford. We premiered the work in October last year (a snippet available here) and we will be recording at the end of May in the amazing Livingstone Studios, North London. I cannot yet divulge the record label or release date as we are still in discussion, but the album will be released in 2024 digitally, and potentially also on Vinyl and CD.
Warm-up Concert
We will be performing prior to recording at the Vortex Jazz Club in Dalston, London, on Sunday 7th May 3.30-5.30pm, tickets are £12.50 and are available here.
Supporting the project
Your support will help pay the musician's fees for rehearsing and recording (£6,800) and the studio costs (£2,682). You can donate any amount by clicking the donate button. Please see the list of rewards below. I am truly grateful for your generosity: it has been a profoundly beautiful writing process, and I can't wait to share the music with the world.
*I have also applied for funding from another Arts platform, and if I am successful the target will be reduced significantly.
Rewards
£20 or more: Named contributor to the project
Your name will be included as an important contributor to the project in the album artwork. In addition, the album download code will be sent upon release.
£30 or more: Creative Process E-book
You will receive the e-book documenting my creative process and the inspirations at the heart of the work. In addition, the album download code will be sent upon release.
£40 or more: Personal Q&A session + E-book
You will receive a personal 40 minute Q&A session with me (via zoom) about all things creative, and compositional ? ask me anything about the process of writing, tips on creative blocks (I have many!), or just tell me about your own project ? an idea shared is an idea made more real. In addition, you will receive the e-book documenting my creative process, and the album download code will be sent upon release.
£50 or more: Access to the scores + E-book
You will receive the orchestral scores for the suite in PDF format. In addition, you will receive the e-book documenting my creative process, and the album download code will be sent upon release.