Bruno Heinen & James Kitchman

Bruno & James on ubuntu music

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of the talented duo consisting of Bruno Heinen (keys) and James Kitchman (guitar), for the release of their debut album, Rain Shadows, on 26th May 2023.

As old friends, Bruno and James forged a strong musical bond during a monthly residency they held in one of London’s subterranean jazz clubs, back in 2017. Since then, the duo has been on the road appearing at clubs and international festivals. They worked together on James’ album First Quartet (Ubuntu Music), receiving critical acclaim following its release last year as well as achieving one million streams on digital platforms. More recently, the two have come together as part of a trio with renowned vocalist Heidi Vogel (Cinematic Orchestra). It is highly significant that Kitchman and Heinen have each been compared to Jim Hall and Bill Evans respectively, one of the most revered guitar-piano duos in the history of jazz.

The duo explains the idea behind Rain Shadows, their latest project: "The album features compositions by each of us, interspersed with free improvisations. We wanted to capture the musical dialogue and rapport that we’ve developed whilst keeping a feeling of focussed freedom. Our compositional styles come together through a shared harmonic language, reminiscent of composer Charles Ives and the period of early twentieth century music at which tonality was reaching breaking point and beginning to unravel. The album travels across a spectrum of moods on its path; from bright optimism to the murky depths of despair and back again.”

Concerning their extended relationship with Ubuntu Music, the pair share their thoughts: “Having each released recordings as band leaders with Ubuntu, we are thrilled to continue working with the label for this collaborative release. Martin Hummel is incredibly supportive and his passion for the music is unwavering.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “Bruno (The W) and James (Quartet) are very welcome recent additions to the Ubuntu Music Family. There’s a natural affinity in their compositions and their playing styles that just fits together seamlessly. When they approached us about releasing their duo recording, it was an obvious decision to make, and we are so happy we did so.”

WEBSITES

http://www.brunoheinen.com/

https://jameskitchman.com/

https://www.weareubuntumusic.com/

https://www.ubuntumanagementgroup.com/

BIOGRAPHIES

Bruno Heinen - Piano/Keys

Professor of jazz piano and composition at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Bruno has worked with artists such as Shabaka Hutchings, Eska, Julian Siegel, Denys Baptiste and Reem Kelani amongst others.

Coming from three generations of classical musicians, Bruno started playing piano at the age of four. He started composing pieces early on and was introduced to the world of jazz through the music of Bill Evans by his uncle (jazz pianist Johannes Heinen) in his late teens. His compositional voice has been informed by his love of composers from Duke Ellington to Béla Bártok and from Wayne Shorter to György Ligeti.

His quartet The W (Ubuntu Music) features Heidi Vogel (Cinematic Orchestra), Andrea Di Biase (Kenny Wheeler) and Gene Calderazzo (Pharoah Sanders). They have recently released their debut recording to critical acclaim; the Independent describes him as “a consistently intelligent linking voice”, a fair summation of the way in which he brings these four unique musicians together through his original compositions.

In 2019 he was awarded an AHRC-funded practice-based PhD at the RNCM with the title 'Counterpoint in jazz piano with specific relation to the solo work of Fred Hersch'.

Bruno has written for groups ranging from two pianos and percussion (for a project with Pete Saberton), to classical string ensemble (for a commission in 2017 from the Camerata Alma Viva). In 2009, Bruno was nominated for the Paul Hamlyn Composers Award.

He recently held the piano chair for two performances of Bernstein's Wonderful Town at the Barbican Centre with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. The performances were recorded and released on ‘LSO Live’.

“Eclectic, eccentric, unobtrusively erudite” The Guardian

“Brilliant playing…tuneful and intricate” Big Issue

“Bruno Heinen plays with notable clarity and poise” The Observer

James Kitchman - Guitar

London-based guitarist James Kitchman hails from the forsaken realm of Northumberland. Described by All About Jazz as possessing ‘an exalted lyricism and a sophisticated grasp of harmony’, he is recognised as one of the most distinctive and sought-after jazz guitarists of his generation. 

Projects have encompassed a broad array of musical styles and disciplines; he co-led the Southern Cone Quintet’s take on Argentinian, Chilean and Uruguayan folk music; he was a part of the Orpheus Sinfonia in Grammy-nominated composer Tarik O’Regan’s electro-acoustic opera; and in 2020, released a guitar/vocal album as Kitchman / Schmidt exploring the Anglo/American folk songs of the Appalachian mountains.

Kitchman frequently appears at London’s most prestigious venues in collaboration with UK and international artists, including a recent series of concerts with indie-rock group The Libertines. His latest recording ‘First Quartet’ (Ubuntu Music) has been played by BBC Radio 3, Jazz FM, & Worldwide FM, receiving critical acclaim. Recognised for carrying his distinctive voice across all his work, Kitchman is in continual pursuit of artistic development.

“Huge amounts of style and panache” BBC Radio 3

“Quietly rebellious” Songlines Magazine

“A really expansive sound” BBC Radio Scotland