Format Details:
Release Date: 21 October 2016
Label: Stoney Lane Records
Packaging Type: Digipak
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5052442009733
Genres: Jazz  Contemporary  
Format Details:
Release Date: 21 October 2016
Label: Stoney Lane Records
Packaging Type: Digipak
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5052442009733
Genres: Jazz  Contemporary  
Description
Ben Lee, the hotly-tipped young guitarist and composer, releases his debut album In The Tree on Birmingham's Stoney Lane Records this autumn, featuring ten original tracks inspired by a host of eclectic musicians, from fellow guitarists Wes Montgomery and John Schofield to Nirvana and Radiohead.
His beguiling quintet explore the many sounds and combinations of its unorthodox line-up, featuring guitar, alto sax, trombone, organ and drums, creating an album full of punchy horn lines, groove, invention and no lack of warmth and technical prowess.
Originally from Devon, Ben studied jazz guitar at Birmingham Conservatoire, but his great number of varied influences spread above and beyond the musical and academic worlds, and are at the core of his writing and personality running through the album. The jaunty Kickin The Chicken takes inspiration from his time in Malawi, drawing on the music of heroes Montgomery and Sonny Rollins, whilst the opening Folk Theme was written with strong reflections on dystopian novels, and the conflict and coexistence between two nation states. First Contact is Ben's tribute to his love of sci-fi - the tale of man's first communication with extra terrestrial life, whereas the guitar-led ballad Hygge (featuring the trio of Lee, David Ferris' organ and drummer Euan Palmer) was composed following Ben's 2014 adventure in Denmark, taking its title from the Danish word describing the feeling of cosyness shared with other people.
The title track In The Tree describes the simple pleasure of nature and climbing a tree, ever higher, until the branches run out!
With beautifully drawn original artwork from Ning-Ning Lee.
Tracklisting
Sara Colman
Xhosa Cole
Trish Clowes & Ross Stanley
Paul Dunmall Quintet (with Ed Puddick & the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Big Band)
Steve Banks
Mike Fletcher
TG Collective
Mark Pringle
Xhosa Cole
John Clayton & Mulgrew Miller
George Cables
Sylvaine Helary & Orchestre Incandescent
The Exu
Ruby Rushton
Bob James & David Sanborn
Or Bareket