“A triumph…brave, original music” Ian Mann

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“A heartfelt bravura album from Raphael Clarkson and his collaborators, charting a journey from a dense emotional chaos out of which there finally emerges a joyful and passionate sense of deliverance”  John Potter

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Featuring MOBO nominated guitarist Femi Temowo, award winning trumpet player and composer Laura Jurd, the irresistible vocals of Fini Bearman and many other formidable musicians, The Dissolute Society is a large Chamber/Jazz ensemble exploring Raphael Clarkson’s interests in contemporary improvisation, European jazz, 20th century classical music, poetry, spoken word, song, and soulful grooves, as well as original arrangements of music by Kenny Wheeler and John Taylor.

 

These varied elements are brought together through a highly personal and expressive narrative, exploring themes of family history, grief, friendship and hope.

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​The ensemble’s first performance took place at The Vortex Jazz Club in February 2015; they visited the club again to close that year’s London Jazz Festival in front of a packed house, and were joined by special guest Huw Warren (piano) to pay tribute to the late, great John Taylor. Huw features on the ensemble’s  debut album Soldiering On (to be released on Babel Label in Spring/Summer 2017), alongside fellow guests Mia Marlen Berg and Joshua Idehen (vocals) and Mike Soper (trumpet).

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Special Guest - Femi Temowo (Amy Winehouse, The Roots, Omar, Soweto Kinch, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Courtney Pine and many more) - guitar

 

Fini Bearman (London Vocal Project) - vocals

 

Laura Jurd (Dinosaur) - Trumpet

Raph Clarkson (World Service Project) - trombone+vocals

 

Sophie Cameron (Philharmonia Orchestra) - violin

Gustav Clarkson (Eroica Quartet, The Coull Quartet) - viola

Zosia Jagodzinska (Engines Orchestra) - cello

 

Phil Merriman (Alice Zawadzki, Aref Durvesh-Sting, Brendan B. Brown-Wheatus - keyboards/synth bass

Simon Roth (Land of If, Magnis Loom)- drums