Celebrated guitarist Chris Allard and his band are back with a brand new album Jupiter Island, a collection of masterfully executed and brilliantly composed original tunes, from one of the most prominent jazz artists in London. With its impeccable sound and an extraordinary relevance in today's jazz, this is the kind of album you want to wake up to in the morning, it travels with you on a warm summer, and it doesn't really leave you when it's finished.
Inspired, lush, impervious, deep, gentle, sophisticated, commanding. Jupiter Island is what most British Jazz artist strive to achieve. Regarded as one of the UK's finest contemporary jazz guitarists/composers Chris Allard is joined by a stellar cast of long-time collaborators comprising some of the most in-demand musicians today: the brilliantly enigmatic Australian saxophonist Brandon Allen, honoured and ubiquitous piano prodigy Ross Stanley, the fantastic bass of Oli Hayhurst and the empathic drums and percussion of Nick Smalley. In addition to this longstanding quintet, three of the tunes are played in guitar trio format with legendary bass player Geoff Gascoyne and incredible Italian drummer Enzo Zirilli, marking a partnership forged on several recordings and concerts over the last several years.
The Chris Allard Band are well-known on the music scene, and have performed at numerous festivals and respected venues in the UK and in Europe, including the International Guitar Festival, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho, Bonington Theatre, Maison Musique Torino, Italy, Ronnie Scott’s. Chris is regarded as one of the UK's finest contemporary jazz guitarists/composers. In addition to leading his own band he is the first choice of many top artists; he has performed and recorded with Jacqui Dankworth, Steve Waterman, the BBC Big Band and Jamie Cullum, amongst others, and has played on many albums, prestigious gigs and sessions in England and internationally.
Chris Allard was recently signed by BBC acclaimed label Sunlightsquare Records in London.
Jupiter Island pushes to be one of the most prominent recordings of UK jazz to come out in 2013.
“Full-blooded solos...right on the money” - Jazzwise Magazine “One of the great guitarists in this country” - Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2 “Great playing...beautiful...a real guitar player”- Pat Martino
Summer delivery!
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