Saxophonist Courtney Pine has been making award-winning music for over 24 years and with his latest album ‘Europa’ he ventures further into the roots of European music. This new work is the first recording to feature him playing the bass clarinet exclusively.
The album uses the medium of jazz to ask questions such as how, why and who created the continent that we call Europe, constructing a musical collage that takes you on a journey from Scandinavia across the region, touching bases with the British Isles, France, Spain, Italy and Russia, down to the Mediterranean Sea and more, to produce an inspirational and unique sound reflecting the continent's evolution. This new studio recording incorporates influences as far ranging as Gregorian chant, Scandinavian, Celtic, Spanish, Hungarian, Mediterranean melodies and rhythms and more, that show the scope, width and growth of the continent.
The recording features a powerful multi-cultural cast that reflect their own European stories. Internationally renowned bassist Alec Dankworth, drummer Mark Mondesir and pianist Zoe Rahman are joined by special guests clarinetist Shabaka Hutchings, mandolinist Cameron Pierre, electric violinist Omar Puente and drummer Robert Fordjour, amongst others.
No musician more embodies the dramatic transformation in the British music scene over the past twenty years than Courtney Pine. The saxophonist has led a generation of exciting and innovative players who have broadened their styles to take jazz out to a wider audience. This record is a sharp departure from previous recordings the subject matter being the burning questions how, why and who created the continent that we call Europe?
The recording features a powerful multi cultural cast that reflect their own European stories. Internationally renowned Bassist Alec Dankworth, Drummer Mark Mondesir and Pianist Zoe Rahman are joined by special guests Clarinettist Shabaka Hutchings, Acoustic Guitarist Dominic Grant, Viola Amanda Drummond, Mandolinist Cameron Pierre, Electric Violinist Omar Puente and Drummer Robert Fordjour to make a unique record that has been (in Courtney’s words) over 45 years in the making.
In 1987 Courtney Pine arrived on the British music scene with one plan, to take jazz music to a wider audience. His self-determination, drive and research took him beyond British shores and deep into the European continent where the seeds of this project began to take root. This new studio recording incorporates the life travelling experiences of this road warrior drawing back in time to Gregorian Chant, Scandinavian, Celtic, Spanish, Hungarian, Mediterranean melodies and rhythms and more, that show like a geographical map, the scope, width and growth of the Continent.
After making over 24 years of award winning music this relentless artist ventures further with a new work which is the first recording to feature him playing the Bass Clarinet exclusively. The album asks the very relevant question about who we are as a people whilst using the medium of jazz to answer a subject matter most intriguing. The answer you will find enlightening as many have found when experiencing Courtney Pine live or on record.
