Soweto Kinch
Alto saxophonist/rapper Soweto Kinch received a prestigious Mercury Music Prize nomination for his debut album, Conversations with the Unseen in 2003. |
A graduate of the acclaimed Tomorrow's Warriors programme (supported by the PRS Foundation), Birmingham-based Soweto launched his solo career in 2002 when he won the International Saxophonist Of The Year award at the Montreux Jazz Festival, followed a week later by the BBC Jazz Award for Rising Star.
Conversations With The Unseen (DUNECD08) - which critics hail as taking jazz in an exciting new direction - proved that jazz, like other forms of music, can be updated without compromise of its traditional heritage. It can, and should be allowed to, evolve to keep it fresh and appealing to current and successive generations of musicians and music lovers.
Soweto's fresh approach is evidenced by his brilliant, organic fusion of jazz with hip hop, rap and ethnic rhythms on Conversations With The Unseen. Fearless in his creative spirit, he takes hold of his jazz roots and infuses them with other influences from the likes of De La Soul and The Roots.
PRSF asked him about his current musical influences.
Jade Fox
Jade Fox are graduates of Tomorrow's Warriors like me. Their music absorbs an amazing range of references - from Miles Davis and Steve Coleman, to D'Angelo, James Brown and Radiohead. Go and see them live - it's a real musical journey.
www.f-ire.com/bands/jade_fox/jade_fox.php
Dapp Theory
Dapp Theory are a distinctive, genre-bending quartet, led by acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Andy Milne. They blend different jazz styles with hip-hop, funk - and a good dash of sharp social commentary. Their new album, Y'All Just Don't Know, is released on August 12th 2003 and is definitely worth a listen, it's bursting with energy and passion and points to the future of jazz as well as crediting its past.
Steve Williamson
Steve Williamson has got to be one of the most significant and skilful figures of the international jazz scene of the last ten years. I think he's still as fresh, original and forward-thinking as when he first came on the scene - he's been a real inspiration to me. He's worked with some real jazz legends too, including Art Blakey, Archie Shepp, Chris McGregor, Maceo Parker and Ali Farka Toure. After a quiet spell at the end of the 90s, he's about to release his fourth album which I'm really excited about - I've had a sneak preview so I know it's fantastic.
www.jazzservices.org.uk/mus/2095.htm
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