Can you tell us about your new album?
Most of the material from my new album ‘From a Crow’s Nest’ was written during lockdown. My work as a violinist totally stopped during this time, and I’d got myself a bass guitar not long before and decided to dedicate some time into learning the instrument as well as composing. I’d also recently come back from a trip to Sri Lanka with Zhenya, the saxophonist featured on the album. We had the opportunity to meet and play with some great local musicians and this influenced the music I wanted to write in terms of incorporating folk-like melodies over odd time signatures and using particular rhythmic patterns. I then spent a few months in St Petersburg, half a year before the war started, and during this time rehearsed and performed the material with various local musicians. We decided there and then that we’d record everything so that’s how the album came about.
What other projects are you currently involved with?
I mostly work as a freelance violinist, performing and recording with orchestras such London Contemporary Orchestra and Chineke! Orchestra which focuses on providing opportunities for Black and Minority Ethnic classical musicians and also brings awareness to works by often less known BME composers. On bass guitar I am I’m enjoying widening my experience, writing and collaborating with friends and musicians from different backgrounds/genres.
What are you currently listening to and what was the last CD or download you bought?
The most recent CD I listened to is called ‘Epic Discordant Vision’ by the band CKRAFT – a jazz metal quintet from Paris. I love the heavy metal influence, high-powered rhythm section and explosive improvisation in this album. It’s led by accordionist Charles Kieny who I’m fortunate enough to have as a special guest on a couple of my upcoming gigs for my band’s tour next June! Aside that I am currently listening to albums of British musicians that I’ve long admired – like Ruth Goller’s ‘Skylla’ and Seb Rochford’s beautiful dedication to his father ‘A Short Diary’ in duo with pianist Kit Downes amongst others.
What is your all-time favourite album and why?
I don’t think I can pinpoint one favourite album, but Thelonius Monk’s albums are definitely up there. His music is some of the first that got me listening to jazz and I was obsessed – ‘Monk’s Dream’, ‘It’s Monk Time’ among others. I like the way he speaks with his improvisation as if he’s talking; his unique, very percussive sound and rhythm; the dissonance in some of his tunes and the eccentric beautiful character that comes across in his playing. I also am a big fan of the British band Polar bear and have listened to all their albums many times. I attended many of their gigs whilst growing up – I love the quirky melodies and sound effects, strong drum and bass and the different personalities of the band – each one stands out individually and they all fit together so well.
Who has caught your attention recently that we should be listening out for?
The last gig I went to that I found really exciting and inspiring was of the quartet Shijin where British pianist Ivo Neame was on keys collaborating with highly respected musicians from Belgium and France (Stéphane Galland, Stéphane Guillaume and Laurent David). It’s great to hear four musicians play together who are all super dynamic and at the top of their game but also from different backgrounds musically– and interestingly, they compose all the music collectively so there are so many influences in their music – definitely worth a listen!
