Mike De Souza: ‘Chrysalis’ Album Launch Tour
Text for Gig Promoters
Contents:
Band line-up
Short Bio (150 words)
Long Bio (600 words)
Tech-spec
Band line-up
Mike De Souza - electric guitar
Tom Barford- tenor saxophone
Rick Simpson - piano, synths
Huw Williams - double bass
Jay Davis - drums
Short Bio (150 words)
Guitarist Mike De Souza leads his quintet Rick Simpson (piano/synth), Tom Barford (tenor sax), Huw V Williams (bass), and Jay Davis (drums), 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.
ALL ABOUT JAZZ ★★★★ UK VIBE ★★★★ MARLBANK ★★★★ THE JAZZ MANN ★★★★
“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
Long Bio (600 words. 2 pages)
Guitarist Mike De Souza leads his quintet Rick Simpson (piano/synth), Tom Barford (tenor sax), Huw V Williams (bass), and Jay Davis (drums), 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 very much in the tradition of artists such as Brad Mehldau and The Bad Plus. Tracks like ‘Paper Plane Pilot’ feature Mike’s unique style of guitar pyrotechnics, that brings together influences as diverse as Reinier Baas and Stanley Jordan, whilst ‘Clementine Clouds’ is a meditative piece utilising warm synth patches and features the piano and sax.
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.
Since moving to London in 2012, he has worked with internationally renowned musicians including Martin Speake, and Byron Wallen, and has featured on numerous recordings as a sideman: Fictions, Reflector (Twospeak), Beware of the Bear (Phil Meadows), and Music for Bosch People (Alex Paxton).
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.
The band features some of the UK’s most highly regarded musicians:
Pianist Rick Simpson (Christian Scott, Eric Harland, Joe Sanders, Michael Janisch, Ernesto Simpson, Martin Speake, Earl Burness Travis, Stan Sulzmann, Jeff Williams) His own releases include the critically acclaimed Everything All Of The Time: Kid A Revisited, and Klammer.
As well as being a first-call sideman, saxophonist Tom Barford released Kenny Wheeler Prize winning album Bloomer (Edition 2018). Tom co-leads the quartet AuB - who released their debut album in May 2020, and also currently co-leads the Barford/Copus Quintet with James Copus.
Jay Davis, an award-winning drummer and composer who is one of the most sought after drummers on the London jazz scene. Jay has performed throughout the UK, Europe and Asia at festivals and venues including Umbria Jazz Festival, Jimmy Glass (Valencia), Jazzwerkstatt (Graz), Bimhuis (Amsterdam), Die Nato (Leipzig), Pizza Express Dean Street (London) and Paradox (Tilburg).
Bassist Huw V Williams has been associated with the best practitioners of the international avant-garde music scene including Jim Black, Huw Warren, Jeff Williams, John O’Gallagher, Peter Van Huffel and Ivo Neame. He has also collaborated with the contemporary generation including Devin Gray, George Crowley, Laura Jurd and Elliot Galvin.
Tech-Spec
We are able to bring all required equipment for the performance as long as there is sufficient space and power sockets available. However, having the following supplied at the venue will help to improve the performing experience, and will help to reduce travel costs.
Recently tuned/serviced acoustic piano. Grand or Upright are fine. If not, we can bring an electric piano.
A manned PA system with monitoring. It can be helpful depending on the venue size to mic up the piano, and potentially other instruments. If a PA system is available, we would put the synth through front-of-house, otherwise we can bring a small amp for the synth, which will do the job.
Bass amp suitable for Double Bass amplification.
Fender Deluxe Reverb (or similar valve) guitar amp.
Jazz drum kit.
5 music stands.
