After decades leading the trumpet sections of major British big bands, trumpeter Noel Langley finally presents his debut recording, supported by a group of the British jazz scene's leading musicians.
Notable contributions come from the pianist and composer, Alcyona Mick, harpist Ruth Wall and the Israeli-born drummer and percussionist, Asaf Sirkis, who lends his unmistakable voice and energy to the entire album. The horn section features Phil Todd and Duncan Lamont Jr. on flutes, clarinettist Ben Castle, trumpeter Yazz Ahmed, Ashley Slater on trombones and Oren Marshall on tuba among others.
The album is a collage of tightly structured material, orchestrated for large ensemble, juxtaposed with spontaneous, collective composition, with the unifying arcs of the harp, pedal-drones and tuned percussion that, together with electronic manipulation of acoustic instruments and found sounds, create a unique sonic world.
The big bands that Noel has worked with include fronted by Mike Westbrook, Stan Sulzmann, Tim Garland, Julian Joseph, and Gwilym Simcock. Hel has also toured with international jazz stars, including Harry Connick Jr., Hermeto Pascoal, Andrew Hill, Billy Cobham and Georgie Fame. He founded the London Jazz Orchestra in 1990 and is also a member of the highly acclaimed prog-jazz ensemble, Troyk-estra. In May 2014 he rejoined the legendary 1980s band, Loose Tubes, for their 30th anniversary performances.
Personnel: Noel Langley(trumpet, flugelhorn), Ruth Wall (harps), Alcyona Mick (piano), Keith Fairbairn (glockenspiel, vibraphone, marimba), Zoltan Dekany (double bass), Asaf Sirkis (drums), Kenny Dickenson (Hammond organ, piano), Laurence Cottle (bass guitar) plus The Stealth Horns: Phil Todd (flutes, tubax), Duncan Lamont Jr. (flutes), Ben Castle (clarinets, flute), Yazz Ahmed (trumpet, flugelhorn), Ashley Slater (trombones), Oren Marshall (tuba) and others
