TOM CAWLEY: CATENACCIO (UBU0024)

Tom Cawley is established as one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists and has performed worldwide with an array of artists from Jack deJohnette and Gregory Porter to Peter Gabriel and U2. As a bandleader he has gigged, recorded and broadcast extensively and his piano trio, Curios, won Best Band the 2008 BBC Jazz Awards. In addition to this, Tom regularly leads the house band at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club and he is also a professor of jazz piano at the Royal Academy of Music.

Catenaccio is the name given to a tactical innovation which was pioneered in Italian football in the 1960s and involves fluid movement between positions and extra cover. The system led to the more universally celebrated 'total football' a decade later and then ultimately to this collection of music. For the project, Cawley brings together an array of exceptional talent: Fini Bearman (vocals), Gareth Lockrane (flutes), Robin Mullarkey (bass) and Chris Higginbottom (drums). The music may be best described as contemporary melodic jazz fusion, reminding the listener of shades of Weather Report and Return to Forever-period Chick Corea along with the harmonic vocals of Flora Purim.

“This is my first new project for years - I’ve written joyful, melodic tunes and assembled my favourite musicians to play them”, said Cawley. “We are exploring a different sound palette to my previous bands and I’m thrilled with the spirit of this recording - it’s exciting and I can’t wait for it to be heard.”

Cawley continues, “Signing to Ubuntu - a fresh, vibrant label with an eclectic roster of artists - has given me the opportunity to put my music out with the right kind of energy. I’m looking forward to the album connecting with as many people as possible.”

Martin Hummel, Founder and Director of Ubuntu Music said, “I’ve been an admirer of Tom’s overall talent for quite a while. It’s time for him to make a statement with his new project, and we are thrilled to play a part in this.”