Doors 7:45 PM, Music 8:30 PM – 2 set(s) of music
Line-up:
Mike De Souza – Guitar
Tom Barford – Tenor Saxophone
Rick Simpson – Piano
Huw V Williams – Double Bass
Jay Davis – Drums
About
Guitarist Mike De Souza leads his quintet on a tour celebrating his latest album Chrysalis (Fresh Sound New Talent). Written post-lockdown, the title alludes to the emergence from a state of isolation, having changed in a positive way, just as a butterfly emerges transformed from its chrysalis state.
Fierce moments of high energy and introspective periods of calm and impressionistic beauty blend with multiple melodic layers and juxtaposition between acoustic and electronic sound to create an uplifting set that at times evokes a mood reminiscent of alternative-rock bands such as Radiohead, or indie-folk bands such as Big Thief, yet retains the risk-taking, exploration, and language of jazz.
Having grown up in Hertfordshire, Mike first picked up the guitar at the age of 12, marking the start of a life-long obsession with music. Since graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in 2014, he has completed multiple UK jazz tours, performed at festivals in Krakow (Jazz Juniors 2021), Graz (Jazzwerkstatt 2017) and Northern Spain (Ni CaJazz! and EGA Jazz festivals 2022), and was also a finalist in the 2021 International Jarek Smietana Jazz Guitar Competition in Krakow.
In 2017, he co-released the album Pond Life (ranked 3rd in Jazzwise Magazine’s top 10 albums of the year) as part of the group Big Bad Wolf and received many positive reviews: “The title track affirms how inventively the quartet juggle tone colour, constantly renewing sub-themes, and subtly shifting grooves”- John Fordham, The Guardian.
Aside from his latest album ‘Chrysalis’, Mike has also self-released two recordings that feature longstanding bandmates Huw V Williams and Jay Davis: an EP entitled Road Fork (2018), and debut album Slow Burn (2019). “Slow Burn is an impressive show of musical innovation and displays the guitarist’s knack for experimentation as well as his roots in jazz tradition” – All About Jazz.
“Magnificent” – Chris Philips (Jazz FM)
“There’s such considered sound design. Every bar seems to open out into a new world” Soweto Kinch (BBC Radio 3)
“Burgeoning guitar talent” – Jazzwise Magazine
“De Souza’s playing is always absorbing and engaging” – All About Jazz
“A masterly example of lyricism…the guitar work here is highly impressive” – Jazz Journal
“A sonic journey through extended guitar-led compositions, expertly navigating a diverse range of musical moods and landscapes, enriched by the captivating and virtuosic improvisations of some of London’s most esteemed musicians.” – Jazz In Europe