We, at the headquarters of A NEW WAVE OF JAZZ, are extremely proud and happy to release this new solo (and absolutely beautiful) album of COLIN WEBSTER, recorded at the Oud Klooster kapel in Brecht (Belgium).

British saxophonist Colin Webster has always had a mono-thematic approach when it comes to making solo albums. From ‘Antennae’ (Gaffer Records, 2013) which dealt purely with micro-sounds and minimal dynamics, to ‘vs. Amp’ (Raw Tonk Records, 2021) which focussed on the sonic capabilities of a baritone saxophone played through a guitar amplifier. Textural Studies – as the title suggests – is no different in approach. Each piece is a deep exploration and thorough interrogation of a single sound, note, tone, technique, or texture played on the alto saxophone. The chosen sound is repeated for the duration of the piece without development or deviation. It simply exists to fulfill its own purpose, and nothing more. The material on Textural Studies could be seen as quite clinical or academic. There is also a human aspect. As each piece progresses, and physical limits are pushed, very slight evolutions and discrepancies appear, which draws the listener deeper into the exploration. The album was recorded in one afternoon at the Oude Klooster chapel in Brecht, Belgium. With high wooden ceilings, the natural reverb of the venue acts as a companion to each piece, exposing more and more textural detail. The session was expertly captured and mixed by Dirk Serries, balancing all of the elements of the album.

Limited to 100 copies on 140 gram black vinyl.
Watch the youtube teaser from December 1st on : 

Pre-order the album from tomorrow December 1st on as a discount price, valid thru December 9th
newwaveofjazz.bandcamp.com/album/textural-studies

This Friday, December 1st, we’ll launch the pre-order for the next installment in our vinyl series. This time it’s the great COLIN WEBSTER with a new solo album to grace our label. Recorded at the Oude Klooster Chapel in Brecht (Belgium), TEXTURAL STUDIES is a collection of abstract, minimal, repetitive, and introspective pieces Colin performed on the alto sax in relationship to the unique acoustics of the chapel. To be released on 140-gram black vinyl and limited to 100 copies with liner notes by Guy Peters and the design by Rutger Zuydervelt. The links will come online this Friday.

With our label we’re returning to our favorite spot in London, HUNDRED YEARS GALLERY, for another two-day label festival. In 2019 we landed there for a fantastic gathering of kindred spirits and this year will not be any different, resembling the output of our label but simultaneously welcomes new members and exclusive constellations. Join us. All info here, tickets at door.

DAY ONE
downstairs:
7pm: HUNT AT THE BROOK trio
In 2014, Tom Jackson (clarinet), Benedict Taylor (viola) and Daniel Thompson (guitar) came together as a trio to record their debut in Stamford Brook with engineer Dave Hunt (hence Hunt at the Brook). Playing in the context of democratic free interaction, with accents and ideas reminiscent of Taylor and Jackson’s classic roots merging seamlessly with the free explorations of Thompson’s willful guitar playing.
Their new album (a double disc, including guest musician Neil Metcalfe) is out on A New Wave Of Jazz.

9pm: JOHN EDWARDS/ANDREW LISLE/ DIRK SERRIES/COLIN WEBSTER quartet
Dirk Serries (guitar), Colin Webster (alto saxophone), and Andrew Lisle (drums) are no strangers to each other having worked together prolifically for the last six years, most notably in Kodian Trio. In this quaret, the three are joined by one of the most pivotal
figures in improvised music – John Edwards (double bass).
Musically, the quartet play fully acoustic, and with Lisle playing a minimal percussion set-up. The stripped-back instrumentation allows for a focus on texture and timbre, but doesn’t prevent moments of ferociousness either, reminiscent of many albums from the formative ‘golden-era’ of improvised music, with the undeniable stamp of personality from these ‘modern- era’ musicians.

upstairs:
8pm: MARTINA VERHOEVEN & JOSÉ LENCASTRE duo
A New Wave Of Jazz welcomes Portugese saxophonist José Lencastre to the family. Officially released during this festival is the newly formed LEMADI TRIO’s TRYPTOPHAN SUITE is the trio’s debut, an extraordinary live registration of José Lencastre (alto sax), Dirk Serries (guitar) and Martina Verhoeven on the electric piano. For this festival Martina and José are playing duo. Although here Martina on the upright piano but expect free improvised music that will be reminiscent of the trio and at same time not. Exciting.

DAY TWO
downstairs:
4pm: TONUS
(Andrew Lisle, Benedict Taylor, Colin Webster, Dirk Serries, Graham Dunning, Dominic Lash, José Lencastre, Martina Verhoeven, Matthew Grigg, Tom Ward)
Dirk Serries’ minimal ensemble TONUS, frequently based upon his graphic scores, returns to HYG with an impressive and eccentric line-up, acoustic and electronic. Although the graphic scoring will guide the musicians gently, the strength of this ensemble is the focus and patience of each player to interact and contribute. Deep listening pur sang.

upstairs:
3pm: CHARLOTTE KEEFFE & ALAN WILKINSON duo
Oh yes, a powerhouse duo guaranteed. Both musicians have been frequently involved with the label so both Alan as Charlotte couldn’t be left out. To start the 2nd day of the festival with panache, we invited them to play duo upstairs. Full on free impro (saxophone, bass clarinet, trumpet and flugelhorn) up close and personal.

The fantastic FREE JAZZ WITH FRED, a radio show hosted by Fred Kellogg on KAOS 89.3FM (Olympia, Washington USA), has been supporting the label and related releases over the past years. The latest episode features our latest two releases and Dirk Serries’ IMPETUS GROUP album on Klanggalerie. Let yourself be accompanied by a few hours of fine radio-making. Listen here.

Courtesy of critic Georges Tonia Briquet, our latest 2 releases just got a review on the JAZZ’HALO website. Both albums are still available through our bandcamp store.

“Geen naam van een advocatenkantoor of niet de titel van een vergeten aflevering uit het repertoire van Monty Python deze ‘Zwosch, Zwosch & Zwosch’. Het betreft het triumviraat van Carlos “Zingaro” (viool), Guilherme Rodrigues (cello) en José Oliveira (percussie) dat de inspiratie haalde bij de Duitse dadaïstische collagekunstenaar en klankengoochelaar Kurt Schwitter. Deze drie improvisators “pur sang” uit de Portugese scene doen hem alle eer aan met de opname. Ze gebruiken wat percussie en geschuifel over snaren als introductie van dit concert dat plaatshad op 30 juli 2021 tijdens het Festival DME in Lissabon. Doodse stilte langs de kant van het publiek en een steeds complexer kluwen van akoestische klanken op het podium. Indrukwekkend hoe deze muzikanten met een minimum aan gereedschap een gelaagde en ingenieuze structuur opbouwen. Of hoe ze hedendaagse kamermuziek ogenschijnlijk nonchalant koppelen aan doorgedreven impro. Soms lijkt het of ze over elkaar heen struikelen maar elke beweging of uithaal geeft aanleiding tot een nieuwe gecalculeerde zet.
Voor nadere kennismaking met het trio verwijzen we naar de hoestekst van Guy Peters. Van daaruit is het een kwestie om de interessante discografie van de drie uit te pluizen. Dit leidt tot connecties met onder meer Paul Lytton, Joëlle Léandre en Peter Kowald.” Jazz’Halo – Belgium

“Op het eerste luik van deze dubbel-cd (‘Hunt At The Brook Again’) treden Tom Jackson (klarinet), Benedict Taylor (altviool) en Daniel Thompson (akoestische gitaar) aan. Van bij de eerste noten wordt het bordje “actie” bovengehaald. Al even snel ruilen ze de actie echter in voor een omzichtige uitwisseling om nadien een nieuwe tempowissel in te lassen. Het trio blijft zo gedurende vijftig minuten stroomstoten aan elkaar rijgen. Snarengetokkel en intens gepluk vullen de even koortsachtige klarinettonen aan.
Ze deinzen er niet voor terug om tot extremen te gaan zoals in ‘Second Movement’ (ongeveer na tien minuten) of aan het begin van ‘Fourth Improvisation’. In ‘Fifth Improvisation’ lijkt het zelfs of ze zich gaan “outen” als heuse rockers. Daar tegenover zijn er wat luchtigere en speelsere passages, meestal zelfs in hetzelfde “nummer”.
Voor het tweede deel (‘Hunt At The Brook With Neil Metcalfe’, 46’10) kregen ze het gezelschap van fluitist Neil Metcalfe. Geen drie plus een maar een hecht kwartet dat duidelijk een gelijkgestemde visie heeft en maar al te graag musiceert aan de hand van berekende toevalligheden. Concreet betekent dit dat ze continu kiezen voor het verweven van bevreemdende richtingen en samenvoegingen. Korte stiltemomenten maken hier deel van uit. Bovenal overtreft de verbeelding het pragmatische.”