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London-born saxophonist and composer Joshua Jaswon has undergone something of a transformation over the past three years. Following the disastrous results of Britain’s 2016 Brexit referendum vote Jaswon took the decision to leave London for Berlin and set about establishing himself in Europe’s creative hub. This journey of musical discovery has led to collaborations with artists from Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam and Copenhagen, the formation of the Joshua Jaswon Octet and the recording of Silent Sea.
“The nucleus of the project first took shape when I read a collection of twenty contemporary poems collated by Carol Ann Duffy,” explains Jaswon. “The project was an opportunity to engage with themes that have significant meaning for me and move beyond an exercise in abstract music making.” Each composition on the album is based on the text of a contemporary British poem by writers Jackie Kay, Maura Dooley and Rachael Boast and deals with the issues surrounding climate change and Brexit. “It is moving, fresh and thought-provoking and the music perfectly mirrors the poem’s anxiety and satirical humour,” says Kay, Scotland’s Makar (poet laureate), commenting on Jaswon’s interpretation of her poem ‘Extinction’. “The jazz music fits the poem like a hand to a glove, and the rhythms and tempos capture the heightened sense of time running out, of seizing the moment.”
The Octet’s distinctive sound is lyrical, intensely rhythmic and steeped in the magic of storytelling. “One of the challenges in writing for an eight-piece group was to utilise the timbral and compositional possibilities afforded by a larger ensemble without losing the intensity that comes from small-combo interaction. The group’s rhythm-section powerfully shape the music’s narrative and momentum while being able to respond in the moment to it’s shifting contours,” says Jaswon. “The playing of Miguel Gorodi, Marc Doffey and Jan Landowski shows their exceptional ability as improvisers and ensemble musicians, and the music lives and breathes through Anna Serierse’s outstanding voice.”
credits
released October 30, 2020
“Silent Sea is an album of breadth and depth…a thing of beauty.’’
Brian Glasser, Jazzwise
‘...impeccably performed...a powerful soundtrack for desperate times...’
BBC Music Magazine 5* Album Review, January 2021
‘...much to admire in this striking new recording from the Joshua Jaswon Octet...’
Gramophone 4* Album Review, January 2021
'...Berlin-based sax player, composer and band leader, employs the full range of textural possibilities which this multinational band offers...’
Jazzwise 4* Album Review, November 2020
‘...An album that combines ambitious and intelligent writing with some exceptional singing and playing...’
Ian Mann, The Jazz Mann 4* Album Review November 2020
'....the octet deftly combines driving jazz with lyrical condemnation...’
The Scotsman 4* Album Review, October 2020
'...The quality of the playing throughout is exemplary...’
Eddie Myer, Jazz Views Review
“Surrounded by seven of Europe's finest...a beautiful, provocative, album” Bebop Spoken Here
Anna Serierse Vocals
Joshua Jaswon Alto and Soprano Saxophone
Marc Doffey Tenor and Soprano Saxophone
Miguel Gorodi Trumpet and Flugelhorn
Jan Landowski Trombone
Johannes Mann Electric Guitar
Sidney Werner Double Bass
Aarón Castrillo Drums
All compositions by Joshua Jaswon
Lyrics are adapted from the poems Silent Sea by Rachael Boast,
Still Life with Sea Pinks and High Tide by Maura Dooley and
Extinction by Jackie Kay.
Recorded and Mixed by Gert Müller August 21st 2019
Mastered by Peter Beckmann at TechnologyWorks
Front and Back Cover Illustrations by Cécile Bidault
All other illustrations by Mat Miller
Design by Rumney Design
Produced by Joshua Jaswon
Executive Producer: Martin Hummel
