Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM – 2 set(s) of music
Line-up:
Andy Watts – Cornet
Mike De Souza – Guitar
Michael Searl – Electric Bass
Filippo Galli – Drums
About
Following over 15 years on the stage and tour with the internationally renowned London Afrobeat Collective, trumpeter Andy Watts announces his forthcoming solo release ‘The Way Back From Here’.
In an attempt to put a positive spin on the forced indoor time brought on by the pandemic, Watts took the opportunity to step back from the fast-paced modern music industry to explore new approaches to his instrument. Playing a unique custom long model cornet (designed and built by Leigh McKinney at Eclipse Trumpets) and delving into his interest in effects pedals, Watts drew on his usual practice routine of improvising over a drone and built a collection of effected cornet sounds to serve as compositional building blocks.
“I’ve always been fascinated by 20th century composers like Steve Reich and John Cage, and the way they developed powerful compositions from elements that might at first seem insignificant. I’ve tried to take a similar approach with this album, beginning with samples of a digital Tanpura (an Indian drone instrument) then building small thematic blocks, and developing them into something much bigger.”
In its live iteration, the quartet features cornet, guitar, bass & drums, and expands on the compositions from the record, showcasing the ability of some of Andy’s favourite London musicians.