2020 Year End Review

&

A Look At 2021

‘Garden of Earthly Delights’ by Hieronymus Bosch.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way…”

‘A Tale of Two Cities’ by Charles Dickens

No one saw the 2020 tsunami coming the way it did.

COVID-19 overwhelmed the world, wreaking havoc and mutating into even more contagious strands.

BREXIT destroyed a fragile-but-essential 50-odd year relationship with Briton’s continental allies.

TRUMP lived in a head space reserved for the clinically insane, spewing lies and inflicting destruction whenever and wherever he wantonly chose to do so.

And CLIMATE CHANGE continues its systematic deconstruction of Planet Earth, as the world simply stands back and watches hopelessly.

At the same time, jazz--the music and the artists who create it--faced the some of the greatest challenges since its existence. Live shows essentially ceased to exist for much of 2020, shutting off a vital revenue stream for much of the year. A number of funding bodies dried up or went into hibernation, hoping that things might get better, soon. Recording studios were mothballed and opportunities for musicians to play together were severely restricted. And forecasts surfaced indicating that up to 64% of musicians could be forced to leave the music industry.

However, despite all this, there were some noticeably bright spots…

A number of artists attempted to make the best of the situation by offering online livestreams to their fans, often with the option of discretionary donations. Venues followed suit. Virtual recording sessions were scheduled, with surprisingly favourable results.

And the recorded music snapped out of its catatonic state in 2020, to ultimately deliver some impressive results:

Worldwide revenues are estimated to top $20 Billion in 2020, rising for the fifth straight year. In the US, 79% of the $11 Billion was for streaming. Digital downloads dipped below ad-supported streaming.

Labels generated over $1 Million/hour on music streaming.

Vinyl sales are expected to reach $504 Million, the largest since 1988. This will be the 14th straight year of growth. This will surpass album downloads and digital track downloads. In the US, vinyl outsold CDs for the first time since the 1980s.

Ubuntu Music was exceedingly fortunate in overcoming the initial negative trends of the recorded music industry in 2020, by defying these and pursuing a business and marketing strategy that recognised the reality of the situation and delivered exceptional results.

Over the last year, Ubuntu Music released 24 albums from an exceedingly broad roster of exceptionally talented Artists, from a range of backgrounds and geographies. The consistent DNA that runs through the blood of each of these wonderfully gifted people is the quality of their music and the strength of their character as musicians who are dedicated to their craft.

The major highlights for the Artists and the Label are summarised below:

Albums of The Year

Allison Neale / Quietly There (The Arts Desk/Sebastian Scotney)

Allison Neale / Quietly There (Bebop Spoken Here/Lance Liddle)

Allison Neale / Quietly There (Jazzwise/Peter Vacher)

Andrew McCormack / Solo (Jazzwise/Robert Shore)

Calum Gourlay / New Ears (UK Vibe/Brian Homer)

Darius Brubeck Quartet / Live in Poland (DownBeat)

George Colligan Trio / Live in Arklow (Marlbank/Piano Trio Album of The Year/Stephen Graham)

James Copus / Dusk (Bebop Spoken Here/Lance Liddle)

James Copus / Dusk (Jazz in Europe/Album Not to Miss/Erminia Yardley)

James Copus / Dusk (Marlbank/Quartet Album of The Year /Stephen Graham)

James Copus / Dusk (TDF/Max Mazonowicz)

Jersey Street / Love Rising Up (UK Vibe/Andy Allen)

Jersey Street / Love Rising Up (Soul and Jazz Album of The Week/Brian Hurst)

Joe Downard / Seven Japanese Tales (Soul and Jazz/Albums of The Year/Brian Hurst)

John Law’s CONGREGATION / CONFIGURATION (BBC Music/Best Jazz Recordings)

John Law’s CONGREGATION / CONFIGURATION (Jazzwise/Selwyn Harris)

John Law’s CONGREGATION / CONFIGURATION (Albums of The Year/Peter Slavid)

Judith & Dave O’Higgins / His’n’Hers (Bebop Spoken Here/Lance Liddle)

Mezcla / Shoot the Moon (British Jazz Scene)

Noemi Nuti / Venus Eye (Jazzwise/Peter Quinn)

Rob Barron / From This Moment On (Bebop Spoken Here/Lance Liddle)

TRYPL / TRYPL (BBC Music/Best Jazz Recordings)

TRYPL / TRYPL (Bebop Spoken Here/Lance Liddle)

4.5-5.0 Star Reviews

Allison Neale / Quietly There (The Arts Desk) ★★★★★

Andrew McCormack / Solo (BBC Music) ★★★★★

Jay Phelps / Live at The Cockpit (Jazz Journal) ★★★★1/2

John Law’s CONGREGATION / CONFIGURATION (BBC Music) ★★★★★

John Law’s CONGREGATION / CONFIGURATION (The Jazz Mann) ★★★★1/2

Joshua Jaswon Octet / Silent Sea (BBC Music) ★★★★★

Judith & Dave O’Higgins / His’n’Hers (UK Vibe) ★★★★★

Meraki / Meraki (UK Vibe) ★★★★★

Meraki / Meraki (Written in Music--Netherlands) ★★★★1/2

Mezcla / Shoot the Moon (The Scotsman) ★★★★★

Noemi Nuti / Venus Eye (Kind of Jazz) ★★★★★

New York All-Stars / Live Encounter (BBC Music) ★★★★★

Rob Barron / From This Moment On (UK Vibe) ★★★★★

TRYPL / TRYPL (BBC Music) ★★★★★

Notable Recognitions

Calum Gourlay: Ivors Academy Composers Awards Nomination

Calum Gourlay: Scottish Jazz Awards Best Album Nomination

Camilla George & Mark Kavuma: All About Jazz’s Top 20 Paradigm-Shifting Albums

Meraki / Symphony Hall Show (UK Vibe/Brian Homer)

Mezcla: Scottish Jazz Awards Best Album Nomination

Mezcla: Scottish Jazz Awards Best Band Nomination

Streaming Milestones

Chet Baker / Polka Dots and Moonbeams track: 17 Million Streams

Paul Booth / Seattle Fall track: +1 Million Streams

Rob Barron / A Time for Lovers track: +1 Million Streams

Ubuntu Music: Label Announcements

A cooperative partnership with Jazziz Magazine in the US, providing mutual support in areas of common interest.

A strategic partnership with Laura Hess-Hay Jamal’s Ellora Management in the US, in sharing the management support of a select group of artists.

The formation of Ubuntu Music Live, which is a platform for showcasing live music with select London venues, and offers photography, video and social media support services for the performing artists.

Ubuntu Music: Media Testimonials

Once again, the media was exceedingly supportive of the Label, with testimonials that included:

“The late broadcaster David Jacobs characterised his daily lunchtime programme on BBC Radio 2 as presenting ‘our kind of music’, in his case much of it consisted of popular tunes from musical theatre.

This tagline could equally be applied to the music produced by the enterprising Ubuntu Music label. Here, yet again, they have produced more of ‘our kind of music’. The label has quickly become synonymous with all that is good in jazz. I, for one, always look forward to each new release and this is no exception.”

Alan Musson

“A label that has gone from strength to strength”

Erminia Yardley

“Way back when, if the label read Blue Note, Prestige or Contemporary, American jazz record buyers knew they were getting the best. Over here, Vogue, Esquire and Tempo ensured British listeners didn’t miss out either. Fast forward to today and one of the labels carrying the baton and threatening to lap the field is Ubuntu Music who have produced may outstanding albums…”

Lance Liddle

“Kudos to the ever-enterprising Ubuntu label.”

Barry Witherden

“It’s both a triumphant return to live music and a chance for Ubuntu Music to show off some of the exquisite talent they’ve got on the roster.”

James Rybacki

“Another great release from Ubuntu Music, whose range of talent continues to expand impressively.”

Mark McKergow

“Ubuntu Music is a relatively new record label, which in its short life has already built a diverse and enviable roster of artists from widely differing creative backgrounds. The label was established by businessman Martin Hummel and renowned trumpeter Quentin Collins. During 2019 together they issued no less than 29 releases and achieved six ‘Album of the Year’ awards for artists including Leo Richardson, Dave O’Higgins and Rob Luft, Paul Booth and Collins himself. Along with these established names, the label is also home to some of the brightest of the rising stars including ‘Wandering Monster’ and ‘Bonsai’. I was particularly pleased to see the American pianist and long-time Kurt Elling collaborator Laurence Hobgood has a home with the label.”

Alan Musson

Retirements & Departures

This past year, Keith Jarrett announced that he is unlikely to perform again, after two strokes.

And we also lost a number of jazz’s finest, which included:

John Cumming (Founder, Serious)

Jack Shelton (trumpet)

Jimmy Heath (saxophone)

McCoy Tyner (piano)

Lee Konitz (saxophone)

Jimmy Cobb (drums)

Johnny Mandel (composer)

Gary Peacock (bass)

Their contributions will always be remembered.

The Ubuntu brand continued to develop, becoming increasingly more attractive to recording and performing Artists, the media (previewers, reviewers, podcasters) and, perhaps equally important, the audiences who spend their hard-earned money to support these deserving Artists.

For the Ubuntu Family, 2020 was a year of expansion and prosperity for its amazingly talented roster. The year started strong and ended equally so. Here are some highlights from 2020, followed by a peek at what’s to come in 2021.

REVIEW OF 2020

It was an absolutely incredible year for the release of exceptional music on the Ubuntu Music label.

To listen to the album, please click on the image, above.

Mezcla / Shoot the Moon

This Glasgow-based world/jazz/fusion ensemble, led by bassist David Bowden, made its statement with an exceptional debut album, consisting of an innovative blend of soulful jazz and energetic grooves.

Recognition: Album of The Year (British Jazz Scene), 5 Star Review (The Scotsman), Best Album & Best Band Nominations (Scottish Jazz Awards).

Secret Sessions Presents / Fragile Eagle

Paul Booth, the outstanding saxophonist/composer/arranger, curated a new project, ‘Secret Sessions’, which is an outlet for new music that is created, played and ultimately recorded by grouping like-minded artists and friends together, and then performed at select locations throughout the UK, with London’s Spice of Life as the centrepiece. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic precluded the project from continuing.

Noemi Nuti / Venus Eye

As vocalist Noemi Nuti explains, “Venus Eye is the expression of a three-year journey I started in 2017. After the success of my debut album, ‘Nice to Meet You’, I decided to take some time off to go on an artistic, emotional and musical quest. I was lucky enough to spend this time listening, researching, practising and rediscovering my love for the harp. This shaped the music and, for me, it was the best decision I have ever made.”

Recognition: Album of The Year (Jazzwise), 5 Star Review (Kind of Jazz).

Joe Webb / For Everything Else

Pianist Joe Webb’s trio consists of exceedingly gifted musicians, who also happen to be the rhythmic backbone of one of London’s most admired and innovative groups, the multi-award winning Empirical. Tom Farmer (double bass) and Shane Forbes (drums) set a solid foundation as Joe’s piano glides and dances across their musical canvass.

George Colligan Trio / Live in Arklow

As pianist George Colligan describes the project, “This album was a magical night in a magical venue with a magical piano and a magical trio and a magical audience. Sometimes, all the parameters are just right and it creates the perfect setting.”

Recognition: Album of The Year (Marlbank).

George Colligan, David Redmond, Darren Beckett.

JOHN LAW’S CONGREGATION / CONFIGURATION

With CONFIGURATION, all the kaleidoscopic parts of John’s musical life have come together–jazz, rock, electronics, classical–which joins together seamlessly. John’s aim for the band is to put each composition into a different visual space with its own individual identity, like separate colours blending to form a design.

Recognition: Album of The Year (BBC Music, Jazzwise, Peter Slavid), 5 Star Review (BBC Music), 4.5 Star Review (The Jazz Mann).

Joe Downard / Seven Japanese Tales

Bassist Joe Downward describes his music, “This is a suite of music named and inspired by a collection of short stories by the great 20th -century Japanese writer Jun'ichirō Tanizaki. Narratives and characters are expressed through interweaving melodies.”

Recognition: Album of The Year (Soul and Jazz).

Andrew McCormack / Solo

As pianist Andrew McCormack explains this project, “The final results are a recital of solo piano music that uses composition as a springboard for improvised exploration with an overarching theme of storytelling devices such as contrast within the pieces themselves.”

Recognition: Album of The Year (Jazzwise), 5 Star Review (BBC Music).

Mar Vilaseca / Find the Way

Vocalist Mar Vilaseca explains the project, ““The songs that make up this record are the most significant ones I have written. I consider these the most notable and powerful, since they all speak about the search for love and happiness.”

James Copus / Dusk

For his debut album, trumpet ace James Copus combined his predilection for the music of the Blue Note era with his love of more contemporary sounds, pulling together some of his favourite musicians for his Quartet, which includes NYC drummer Jason Brown.

Recognition: Album of The Year (Bebop Spoken Here, Jazz in Europe, Marlbank, TDF).

TRYPL / TRYPL

This UK-based Latin Jazz outfit is co-founded by the horn section consisting of Trevor Mires (trombone), Ryan Quigley (trumpet) and Paul Booth (sax), delivering blistering new and fresh original music, recorded at keyboard legend Steve Winwood’s Wincraft Studios in The Cotswolds.

Recognition: Album of The Year (BBC Music, Bebop Spoken Here), 5 Star Review (BBC Music).

Meraki / Meraki

Meraki means the soul, creativity or love you put into something. This trio effortlessly travels through the various moods, emotions and complexities of pianist Jacky Naylor’s original contemporary music, whilst dynamically interacting as a cohesive whole.

Recognition: 4.5-5 Star Review (UK Vibe, Written in Music), Best Live Shows (UK Vibe).

Allison Neale / Quietly There

Altoist Allison explains the project, “The repertoire for the album features tunes I have long wanted to record, many of which hail from the American Songbook, although you don’t hear them too often. I believe that the music is a complete reflection of where I am as an artist today.” The album features NYC guitarist Peter Bernstein.

Recognition: Album of The Year (The Arts Desk, Bebop Spoken Here, Jazzwise), 5 Star Review (The Arts Desk).

Jay Phelps / Live at The Cockpit

Trumpet man Jay Phelps describes the project, “This concert was my album launch, coupled with a recording for one the first ever J to Z shows for BBC 3. This album is the full concert, from start to finish and features some of London’s most in demand musicians.”

Recognition: 4.5 Star Review (Jazz Journal).

Wandering Monster / Metropolis/Division

Metropolis/Division, the two-track release, sees the band adopt a grittier sound with a harder edge than the music from their debut album. Despite this, the music retains the band’s essence of spontaneous collective improvisation, led by bassist Sam Quintana.

Jersey Street / Love Rising Up

Manchester’s Jersey Street unveils their long-awaited release, ‘Love Rising Up’, which is a return to their original jazz roots and steps away from the dance floor, with Deep House, Spiritual jazz, Latin rhythms and raw soul.

Recognition: Album of The Year (UK Vibe, Soul and Jazz).

Rob Barron / From This Moment On

Pianist Rob Barron describes his latest project, “I feel I have created a work that reflects who I am as an artist today. This recording centres on the piano. Now is the time to produce a classic trio recording. All of the elements have aligned harmoniously.”

Recognition: Album of The Year (Bebop Spoken Here), 5 Star Review (UK Vibe).

Skeltr / Dorje

A nucleus of saxophone and drums set to scapes of synths, vocals and guest features, Skeltr combines heartfelt statements of sensitive, illuminating, incensed improvisation which stem from ardent and fluent melodies.

To listen to the single, please click on the image, above.

**Hakan Başar / Hub Art Special Edition Single**

This special single features the legendary talents of Yellowjackets’ Jimmy Haslip (bass) and Will Kennedy (drums). Pianist Hakan Başar explains, “It was incredible and exciting to take part in a project with two giant names of jazz who impressed me so much when I was 10.”

Judith & Dave O’Higgins / His’n’Hers

This album features frontline tenor saxes doing battle in straight-ahead, full-on jazz, which affectionately pits Mr and Mrs O’Higgins against each other in a swinging “tough tenors” band in the good humoured tradition.

Recognition: Album of The Year (Bebop Spoken Here), 5 Star Review (UK Vibe).

Joshua Jaswon Octet / Silent Sea

Combining poems and protests concerning Brexit and climate change, saxophonist Joshua Jaswon explains, “This project is the culmination of two years of work that took place in four different countries and has brought together a group of musicians whom I admire and respect very much.”

Recognition: 5 Star Review (BBC Music).

Tomasz Bura / The Room Upstairs

Tomasz Bura shares impassioned and emotive solo piano music that speaks through the language of harmonies and dynamics, telling the story about love, transformation and challenges of life. It's a nostalgic and exquisite journey.

A LOOK AT UBUNTU MUSIC IN 2021

Yes, even with the distractions and the obstacles throughout the world in 2020, it was nevertheless a banner year for Ubuntu Music and its roster of exceptional Artists.

And 2021 continues to be just as exciting…

Hideaki Ura / Intersection after Illusion

Young keys ace Hideaki delivers music that is complicated and highly skilled, while being based on a range of music genres such as jazz, fusion, progressive rock, metal, djent and classical.

Will Glaser / Climbing in Circles

This album is the culmination of a three-year project, exploring drummer Will Glaser’s musical relationships with Matthew Herd (sax) and Liam Noble (piano).

UBU0076_Gwen+&+Tiana_Live+in+Switzerland_3000x3000.jpg

Gwen & Tiana / African Time, Live in Switzerland

This dynamic vocalist duo provides high-energy Afro-jazz vibes, recorded live in Switzerland. It’s joyous, infectious music from these very promising artists.

QOW TRIO / QOW TRIO

This is a generation-spanning trio of diverse players who have come together, united by a love of the jazz tradition, to explore the freedom that opens up within the three-way saxophone-bass-drums format.

Yoko Miwa / Songs of Joy

Pianist Yoko Miwa provides a welcome dose of optimism and uplift that shines like a ray of hope through combining songs that have provided solace and inspiration to her as a means of escape from the lockdown routine.

Solstice / Food for Thought

Solstice is a collaboration between these six like-minded bandleaders and composers who share a common love of contemporary jazz, fine food and wine, resulting in an eclectic palate of influences from all around the world.

UBU0077_Shez+Raja_Tales+form+the+Punjab_FINAL+Cover.jpg

Shez Raja / Tales from the Punjab

Bassist Shez Raja went on an adventure, travelling around the Punjab to explore his South Asian identity and immerse himself in the musical culture of his roots, collaborating with some of the most accomplished musicians of the subcontinent.

Roy Mor / After The Real Thing

Israeli pianist Roy Mor joins forces with musicians from New York City and his homeland to deliver his life story through his music. Powerful and hypnotic music.

Jacky Naylor / IndustriaL SUITE

Commissioned by the Lancaster Jazz Festival in 2019, pianist Jacky Naylor has created Industrial - a suite inspired by the factories and mills in the north of England, featuring sax man Alex Hitchcock.

Nigel Price Organ Trio & Guests / Wes Reimagined

Guitarist Nigel Price pays tribute to the great Wes Montgomery, backed by his trio featuring Hammond organ supremo Ross Stanley and special guests including Tony Kofi and Callum Au.

Matt Ridley / The Antidote

Bassist Matt Ridley combines thinking man’s rock with jazz improvisation, supported by a blistering line-up of musicians that include Alex Hitchcock (sax) and Ant Law (guitar).

Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley / Joy in Bewilderment

Bassist Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley explores various musical forms and textures, from solo piano and string quartet to 13-piece, three drummer ensembles. The album features Chris Potter (sax) and the Amika String Quartet, amongst others.

Benjamin Croft / Far and Distant Things

Keyboard wizard Benjamin Croft delivers a variety of musical styles and genres, in a jazz/rock/fusion motif. The album has a wide range of guests, including Randy Brecker, Frank Gambale (Chick Corea) and Chad Wakerman (Frank Zappa, Men at Work).

A CLOSING WORD OF

PROFOUND GRATITUDE

As we say each year, this business doesn’t get any easier. It is exceedingly demanding, relentless and all-consuming.

Particularly if you are committed to doing it right, with dignity, respect and professionalism, whilst always putting the Artists and the quality of their music first.

And it was an especially difficult year for everyone, given the extraordinary challenges that 2020 bestowed upon us with relentless aggression.

Ubuntu Management Group and, within it, Ubuntu Music, started a few years ago as an experiment, by devoting our attention to the music we love most. That approach continues to guide our thinking.

This would never have been possible without some remarkable people who were patient enough to give us a chance and to continue to support us. There are many, but the few in particular we’d like to thank include Emma Perry and Rupert Burley, our publicity/marketing partners, who work tirelessly to raise the profile of our Artists. Laura Hess-Hay Jamal, our new partner at Ellora Management in the US. Chris Philips from Jazz FM--along with Ruth Fisher and Tony Minvielle, plus Paul/Sarah/James from Ronnie Scott’s. Leo Richardson for being our confidant and wing man. John Fordham and Dave Gelly from The Guardian/Observer, Kevin Le Gendre, Ian Shaw, Sebastian Scotney and crew at London Jazz News, Mike Flynn/Jon Newey + Peter/Robert/ Selwyn and crew at Jazzwise, the wonderful team at BBC Music Magazine, the US Downbeat and JazzTimes Magazine staff, Jazziz’s Michael Fagien, Eddie Myer at SJM and Jazz Views, Ron Moss, Marc Myers at JazzWax/Wall Street Journal USA, Fred Gluzman, The Jazz Mann’s Ian Mann, Lance Liddle at Bebop Spoken Here, Matt Ruddick at Kind of Jazz, UK Vibe’s Michael/Alan/Tim/Brian/Andy gang, Marlbank’s Stephen Graham, Paul Pace and crew (Jackie, Matt and Clement) from The Spice of Life, Roger Farbey and Chris May at All About Jazz, Jazz Journal’s Mark Gilbert, Gary and Janine at Tomorrow’s Warriors, Jazz in Europe’s Erminia Yardley, Soul and Jazz’s Brian Hurst, Chris Hodgkins, Sandy Brown Jazz’s Ian Maunde, Ruari and Jack at Jazz Café, Ross/Joseph/Luc from Pizza Express, mastering supremo Peter Beckmann at TechnologyWorks, Carl Hyde, The Sunday Times’ Clive Davis, Mary James, the brilliant Monika Jakubowska, Steve Funkyfeet, Steven Cropper, designer Darren Rumney, Peter Freeman & Alan Hayward, the team at Sound Performance and the guys at The Orchard—Scott, Ben and especially Matt. And, of course, Simon ‘Goatious Foot’ Page, who never fails to surprise me.

Most of all, to the amazingly talented Artists, who make us look much better than we are and who make the extraordinary journey worth every step. You are the heart and soul of this venture and we are eternally grateful for placing your faith in us.

And lastly and most importantly, to my family for allowing me to live the dream and supporting me irrespective of my many idiosyncrasies. Love you, to infinity and beyond!

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2020 & The Year Ahead