In 2023, I released and toured my quintet album ‘Emboldened’ promoting a powerful, universal message highlighting the positivity of people facing adversity and strength in unity.
Since then, it has been an extraordinary experience for me to collaborate with Jonathan Silk as he has expanded my compositions for quintet into the dynamic, soaring musical landscapes of jazz orchestra, imbued with his unique musical voice. Jonathan balances the skill of extending a composition, adding rich textures and new movements, without losing the initial identity. He possesses an innate ability to know exactly what a composition needs and reveals fresh, exciting, hidden directions I would not have imagined. We have also seized the opportunity of further enhancing the jazz orchestra with choir. This has brought an emotional depth and connection with the audience only possible with voices and has culminated in an exhilarating re-imagining of this music, now presented at it’s full scope and potential.
Performances have included Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra at Wiltshire Music Centre (2023), University of Birmingham Jazz Orchestra & Choir at CBSO Centre (2024), Guildhall Jazz Orchestra & Choir at The Barbican and Leeds Contemporary Jazz Orchestra at The Venue (2025), supporting young English and Ukrainian musicians in a composition mentoring initiative alongside the many young musicians involved in the rehearsals and performances across the UK.
However, we need investment to ensure the music is captured and shared with an international audience.
The 'Emboldened Jazz Orchestra & Choir’ will become a double album released on Stoney Lane Records. We have been offered the world-class recording studio at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and have a wide network of some of the most respected jazz musicians and music industry specialists across the UK.
Together, I hope we can offer an uplifting and inspiring experience into a very troubled world.
To get in touch with any questions or to make a donation, please follow the link below.
With best wishes,
Steve
“All the compositions are heartfelt and honest, as are the performances. A chronicle of hard-won optimism and hope. An elegant response to troubled times ‘Emboldened’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jazz album of the month ”