Leo richardson Quartet: Move (UBU0026)

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of Leo Richardson for his second album on Ubuntu Music. Move was released worldwide on 9th August 2019.

 Leo is widely recognised as one of London’s leading tenor saxophonists, best known for his honest, straight-ahead, contemporary hard-bop style. His influences include John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon, Horace Silver and Art Blakey. Leo's 2017 debut album, The Chase, received exceptional reviews from around the world, including the first ever 5 Star review for a debut jazz album by the Observer. The Chase was also selected by The Times as one of the Top Ten Jazz Albums of 2017. In America, Downbeat Magazine praised the album as being straight out of the mid-1960’s jazz classics.

Leo has performed throughout the world and appeared last year at the Love Supreme Jazz Festival in the UK. This summer, Leo’s quartet will be performing at the Rochester International Jazz Festival in the US. He has played at Ronnie Scott’s, on numerous occasions.

 Move, Leo’s next Quartet album, features his powerhouse rhythm section of Rick Simpson (piano), Tim Thornton (bass) and Ed Richardson (drums). The ubiquitous tenor Alex Garnett joins the band as guest on the final track. The sophomore album picks up where the debut album left off.

As Leo describes, “I never thought I’d release my second album so soon after the first, but I just love playing with the band so, I thought, why not?! The compositions on this record are very much a natural progression from the first album. I feel the music has developed and matured, instilling the essence of hard bop but remaining contemporary. The rhythm section in this quartet is absolutely world class and I’m very lucky to be able to play my music with them and develop it together as a band.”

 Leo has been on Ubuntu Music from the start of his recording days. Concerning the Label, Leo explains, “Martin Hummel has put his life and soul into nurturing and growing Ubuntu. I have no idea how he manages to support all of his artists, regularly attending shows and helping artists move in the right direction. It’s a great pleasure and privilege to be able to release another recording on what is fast becoming a world-renowned label.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music concludes, “Leo is a top-notch musician and a wonderful human being. The journey from the development to the release of his first album was sheer joy for me. The music was exceptional, and the world concurred. This guy is a very serious talent and we expect Leo to continue to go from strength to strength, with Ubuntu as his privileged partner. Brace yourself, for ‘Move!’”