Alex Hitchcock | Dream Band

Fresh Sound New Talent

(Nov 19th 2021)

Release: 19th Nov 2021

It’s a question that has absorbed bandleaders for many years: who are the perfect musicians to bring my music to life?

As his upcoming album Dream Band suggests, virtuoso London saxophonist Alex Hitchcock has plenty of thoughts on the matter…

In his second release with legendary Barcelona label Fresh Sound New Talent, the hotly-tipped frontman pulls together a pool of 15 musicians from both sides of the Atlantic to bring to life a set of forward-thinking music.

New York heavy-hitters Chris Cheek (Bill Frisell, Charlie Haden), Jason Brown (Kurt Rosenwinkel, Monty Alexander) and David Adewumi (Dave Douglas) line up alongside a who’s who of the burgeoning London jazz scene, including Jazz FM vocalist of the year Cherise Adams Burnett, BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year Deschanel Gordon and multi-genre cellist/vocalist Midori Jaeger.

The music was recorded across three London studio sessions in Spring 2021, with a different configuration of musicians each day. The result is a selection of 12 original songs ranging from a delicate duo (featuring the sensational Midori Jaeger on cello & vocals) through to an expansive 7-piece outing with guest stars Chris Cheek and David Adewumi.

But whilst managing such a large and varied group of musicians for one album might sound like a challenge in itself, Hitchcock shows his pedigree both as a bandleader and arranger in turning a colourful yet finely-tuned set of songs into a coherent whole.

All About Jazz noted “the stratospheric trajectory” of Hitchcock’s group back in 2018, Jazzwise named him as “one to watch” in 2019, whilst his 2020 release on Edition Records was hailed as “a direct hit” by German magazine Jazzthing.

Now, as 2021 draws to a close, Dream Band and Fresh Sound New Talent present Hitchcock’s most compelling case to date as to why he and his carefully-curated groups are finding themselves more and more in demand at clubs and festivals on the international jazz scene.

“a spectacular mastery of phrasing and harmony”
– Jazz Magazine (FR)

1. Wolf and Nina (feat. midori jaeger)
2. Yeshaya
3. intro
4. to love itself
5. outro
6. FSTL (feat. Chris Cheek, David Adewumi)
7. Move 37
8. Azalea (feat. midori jaeger)
9. Embers
10. Overcome Any Obstacle With A Horse
11. Simulacra
12. And Then

ALEX HITCHCOCK saxophone
CHERISE ADAMS-BURNETT voice (4, 6)
CHRIS CHEEK saxophone (6)
DAVID ADEWUMI trumpet (6)
DESCHANEL GORDON piano (1, 10)
FERG IRELAND bass (2, 7, 9, 11)
JAS KAYSER drums (1, 10)
JASON BROWN drums (2, 7, 9, 11)
JOE DOWNARD bass (3, 4, 5, 6, 12)
LUISITO QUINTERO percussion (7)
MIDORI JAEGER voice/cello (1, 8, 10)
NOAH STONEMAN piano (2, 7, 11)
SHANE FORBES drums (3, 4, 5, 6, 12)
WILL BARRY piano (3, 4, 5, 6, 12)
WILL SACH bass (1, 10)