"jazz re:freshed are proud to present the long-awaited debut album from emerging London-based collective SEED Ensemble.

Formed in 2016, SEED Ensemble is a ten-piece project led by composer, arranger and alto saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi. Already a giant on the UK jazz scene, she is known for her work with all-female jazz septet, Nerija, and afrobeat jazz group, Kokoroko.

Combining jazz with inner-city London, West African and Caribbean influenced groove, Cassie Kinoshi’s SEED Ensemble explores a blend of genres through both original compositions and arrangements. “SEED Ensemble is my way of celebrating the vibrant and distinctive diversity that has significantly influenced what British culture has become over the centuries.

Projecting this new musical vision are some of London’s most up-and-coming young jazz musicians essential to the modern identity of British jazz including tuba player Theon Cross, trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey, tenor saxophonist Chelsea Carmichael and one of London’s leading guitarists, Shirley Tetteh.

Across ‘Driftglass’, Kinoshi embraces styles both past and present to create something that we can call modern. Band members cut across race and gender with original compositions inspired by the social issues of our times."

PERSONNEL

Cassie Kinoshi – Alto Saxophone & Composer
Miguel Gorodi - Trumpet
Sheila Maurice – Grey – Trumpet
Chelsea Carmichael – Tenor Saxophone & Flute
Joe Bristow – Trombone
Theon Cross – Tuba
Joe Armon-Jones – Piano & Rhodes (WAKE (For Grenfell), Stargaze #1: KATIN, The Dreamkeeper, Interplanetary Migration)
Sarah Tandy – Piano & Rhodes (Stargaze #2: LAU, The Darkies, Mirrors, Afronaut)
Shirley Tetteh – Guitar
Rio Kai – Double Bass
Patrick Boyle – Drums

Lyrics by Langston Hughes (The Dreamkeeper, W A K E (for Grenfell)
Stargaze #1: LAU arr. of Eric Lau’s Earthing Out
Additional Vocals (W A K E (for Grenfell): Jason Yarde

GUESTS

XANA – poetry/spoken-word
Mr. Ekow – poetry/spoken word
Cherise Adams-Burnett – vocals

ARTWORK
Sophie Bass