The Phil Shotton Quartet will play tracks from their new album at a special launch event held at the Capstone Theatre on Friday 31st January, 7.30pm.
Phil - who is an alumnus of Liverpool Hope - and his quartet will be playing tracks from their debut album Straight Down alongside other tunes from the Great American Songbook, in their typically swinging, melodic style.
The band is made up of Phil Shotton on tenor saxophone, Tom Sykes on piano, Matt Lawton on double bass and Jez Finch on drums.
Straight Down was inspired by Phil’s admiration of the Blue Note recordings of the 1950’s, where a band meeting in the recording studio, would be followed by calling some tunes and playing in a live situation. Inspired by this style of recording, the band took tunes from their recent live repertoire and went straight into recording. The result is an album that features mo overdubs, tracks captured in one take, and nothing overly produced.
Phil said: "I believe this gives the album an honesty and empathy in the playing, more of a conversational feel between the musicians. We were keen to record everything in one take just like a live gig, I feel it gives the album a real sense of energy. Matt and I had talked about recording in this way for a while, which is different to the usual studio sessions we do with other ensembles. We were keen to capture the moment with all its thrills in real time."
Having graduated from Liverpool Hope University in 2005, Phil now regularly performs alongside many national and international jazz artists and has appeared at major jazz festivals, venues and music festivals throughout the country and abroad.
Throughout his career, Phil has maintained his passion for music education and has recently taken up post of Professional Tutor in Music Performance at Liverpool Hope University. Phil said: "I’m delighted to stage the album launch gig at Liverpool Hope University. This is where it all started for me, so it feels like coming home to celebrate the new album. It’s a real privilege to be working with the students and I hope to be coming along to their album launch gigs in the not too distant future!"
Signed CDs will be on sale during the night for £10.
Tickets are £11.50, and FREE for Hope staff and students.