THE EMBOLDENED JAZZ ORCHESTRA & CHOIR _
Emboldened:
From Quintet to Orchestra & Choir _
A powerful journey of music, unity and resilience
The Journey So Far _
In 2023, I released and toured my quintet album ‘Emboldened’ sharing a universal message highlighting the positivity of people facing adversity, and strength in unity.
A New Chapter with Jonathan Silk _
Since releasing Emboldened, it has been an extraordinary experience to collaborate with Jonathan Silk as he expanded my quintet compositions into the dynamic, soaring landscapes of jazz orchestra imbued with his unique musical voice.
Jonathan has a rare ability to extend a composition, adding rich textures and new movements without losing its original identity. His work reveals fresh, exciting directions I would never have imagined.
We also enhanced the jazz orchestra with a choir, adding emotional depth and a powerful connection with the audience. This has led to an exhilarating re-imagining of the music at its full scope and potential.
The project has performed by young musicians across the UK, including:
Guildhall School of Music & Drama (Barbican, London)
University of Birmingham (CBSO Centre, Birmingham)
Leeds Conservatoire (The Venue, Leeds)
WYJO (Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon)
The Exciting Next Step _
Emboldened Jazz Orchestra & Choir will be released in 2027 as a double album, with scores and parts available as downloadable PDFs on this website.
Recording began in January 2026 at the world-class studios of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. With funds raised so far, we’ve completed the rhythm section, brass and woodwind sessions. We are now ready to record the choir and percussion - bringing together 25 exceptional musicians from across the UK.
Voices — Evie Hill, Tara Minton, Sara Colman, Clare Wheeler, Jon Smith, Tom Hartley
Flute / Piccolo — Meg Diamond
Alto Sax / Soprano Sax / Clarinet / Flute — Rob Cope, Anna Chandler-King
Tenor Sax / Soprano Sax / Clarinet — Sam Crockatt, Josephine Davies, Julian Argüelles
Baritone Sax / Bass Clarinet — Alicia Gardener-Trejo
Trumpet — Tom Walsh, Luke Lane, Alex Astbury, Percy Pursglove
Trombone — Kieran McLeod, Richard Foote, Dave Sear, Yusuf Narcin
Guitar — Steve Banks
Piano — Rebecca Nash
Bass — Henrik Jensen
Drums — Jonathan Silk
Percussion — Tom Chapman
Recorded at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, 2026.
Producer / Recording Engineer — Ben Markland
Recording Engineer — Niccolò Conti
Track Listing:
Emboldened Suite
1. I – Emboldened (Prologue)
2. II – Fear
3. III – Belief (Prologue)
4. IV – Belief
5. V – Unity (Prologue)
6. VI – Unity
7. The Mancunian Candidate
8. Just Listen
9. Saunton Sands
10. Crockatt Man
11. Two Brothers
12. Always For You And Forever Yours
All comp. Steve Banks, arr. Jonathan Silk
Support Us _
Please help us share the music and message of Emboldened with an international audience.
Your support will directly benefit musicians, sound engineers and other creative industry professionals.
Participants of £20 and above will receive:
An exclusive, pre-release Emboldened Jazz Orchestra & Choir digital album.
Updates including videos and photos from inside each recording session, demonstrating the impact of your support and ensuring that everyone becomes part of our experience leading to up to the album release.
Participants of £100 and above will also be:
Acknowledged by name in the liner notes or can choose to remain anonymous.
Invited to an exclusive event ahead of our album launch concert.
If you have any questions, please do get in touch.
Thank you.