SEAN GIBBS

Sean Gibbs on ubuntu music

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of trumpet ace Sean Gibbs for the release of his album, When Can I See You Again?, on 13th August 2021.

Sean is a jazz trumpet player and composer/arranger hailing from Edinburgh. After growing up playing with ensembles such as The Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra and The National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland, he enrolled on the jazz course at Birmingham Conservatoire. He graduated from the course with first class honours in 2015, winning the BMus Jazz prize. During his time at the conservatoire, he studied with renowned trumpet players Percy Pursglove and Richard Iles, alongside many guest artists, including Mark Turner, Kenny Garrett, Maria Schneider, Joe Lovano, Dave Holland and John Taylor.

Sean resides in London and is an in-demand performer across the UK and abroad. He is a member of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (with which he has performed with guest soloists such as Kurt Elling, Joe Locke, Kenny Washington, Martin Taylor, Jazzmeia Horn, Bill Evans, Makoto Ozone and Mike Mainieri), Young Pilgrims, the Calum Gourlay Big Band, the Mike Fletcher Jazz Orchestra, the Martin Kershaw Octet and Paul Towndrow’s Keywork Orchestra. As a freelance musician, Sean has performed with Jim Rattigan’s Pavillon, Eliza Carthy’s Wayward Band and Chris Dean’s Syd Lawrence Orchestra, to name but a few.

Sean is also a prolific composer/arranger, having written many works for big band, including commissions for the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and Greater Manchester Jazz Orchestra. His compositions have been recorded by the Birmingham Jazz Orchestra and performed as far afield as the USA, by the University of Miami's Frost Studio Jazz Band.

Sean describes the music and the idea behind When Can I See You Again?, his upcoming Ubuntu Music release: “The album features original music of mine, steeped in the jazz tradition, with a focus on lyrical melodies, hearty grooves and a deep association with the blues. The compositions are largely about celebrating the human connections that I’d sometimes taken for granted, many of which became sorely missed with the pandemic. It was an immense privilege to record these pieces with some of my favourite musicians on the London jazz scene, and I can’t wait to share them with you all.”

The album features a top-notch array of talent, including Riley Stone-Lonergan on tenor sax, Rob Brockway on piano, Calum Gourlay on bass and Jay Davis on drums.

“I’m incredibly excited to join the stellar cast of artists at Ubuntu”, Sean explains. “They have released many of my favourite albums of the past few years and seem to be going from strength to strength, even in such a difficult time for the industry. Martin (Hummel) has a great passion for the music and his enthusiasm is infectious.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, adds his perspective: “Sean walks softly and carries a big, beautiful horn. He is a significant, growing talent, with an ace band behind him. And he’s clearly demonstrated he’s got first class composition skills. Watch out for him. We’re pleased he’s with the Ubuntu Family.”