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Release Date: 07 August 2026
Label: Jazz Cat Records
Packaging Type: Digipak
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 880992164931
Genres: Jazz Contemporary
Description
North York Skies continues bassist Ben Crosland's distinctive approach to composition, combining evocative original music with a deep affection for the landscapes, stories and communities of the North York Moors. The album celebrates the beauty, history and folklore of one of Britain's most treasured landscapes through twelve original compositions inspired by the region. The recording features an outstanding quintet: Ben Crosland - electric bass, Steve Waterman - trumpet, Steve Lodder - piano, Chris Allard - guitar, and Nic France - drums. The album showcases a group whose collective understanding has developed through years of collaboration.
The title track, 'North York Skies', captures the breathtaking scale of the Moors, while 'Howardian Undulations' reflects the dramatic rises and falls of the road through the Howardian Hills towards Castle Howard. Other pieces draw inspiration from the North York Moors Railway, the RAF Fylingdales early warning station, and local folklore surrounding landmarks such as Lilla Howe, Ain Howe and the legendary Fat Betty cross.
The album also acknowledges the region's musical heritage with 'The Blakey Lions', inspired by the pioneering jazz-rock trio Back Door, whose journey began at the Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge before leading to international acclaim.
Inspired by Crosland's regular visits to the region over many years, North York Skies is both a vivid musical journey and a heartfelt tribute to a landscape that has become central to his life.
Ben Crosland: "I make no apology for saying that the music on this album is, in reality, a love letter to the North York Moors," says Crosland. "The twelve tracks are inspired by the beauty and majesty of the Moors and the surrounding countryside, the legends and characters that abound there, and some personal connections with this lovely area."
Ben Crosland: electric bass
Steve Waterman: trumpet
Steve Lodder: piano
Chris Allard: guitar
Nic France: drums
Recorded at Temple Music Studio by Ru Lemer, 2023 and mixed and mastered by Andrew Tulloch.
Tracklisting
Ben Crosland Quintet
Threeway & John Etheridge
Ben Crosland
John Etheridge Trio North
Ben Crosland Quartet & Alan Skidmore
Ben Crosland
Ben Crosland Quintet
Ben Crosland Quintet
Ben Crosland Quintet
Ben Crosland Quintet
Ben Crosland Quintet
