Warriors The Banger Factory

• 1Warriors, Pt.110:46
• 2Warriors, Pt. 208:25
• 3Chomolungma05:03
• 4Anansi's Waltz08:08
• 5Zorro03:10
• 6Senzo08:02
• Total Runtime43:34

Info for Warriors

What is a warrior? That was the question that Mark Kavuma, Theo Erskine and Ruben Fox set out to consider when they met in the studio soon after lockdown.

Although holding many different interpretations, the starting point for this session was to explore the word 'warrior' in the context of the struggles and challenges faced by musicians during the pandemic.

The result is a euphonious set of six original tunes brought to life with support from the ever-versatile, BBC Young Musician of the Year Deschanel Gordon (piano), top of every 'A' list Conor Chaplin (double bass), and best-kept secret (as yet) Luca Caruso (drums).

Mark Kavuma has established himself as one the most important musicians on the British Jazz Scene. With over a decade of experience playing the trumpet in London’s rapidly expanding jazz scene, his lyricism, soulful tone, and grace of technique spread infectious joy and mutual excitement among audiences and fellow musicians alike. Mark’s main outfit, The Banger Factory is a collective that is contingent upon bringing the people a good time.

"Overall, bassist Conor Chaplin and drummer Caruso deliver spring and bounce, pianist and BBC young-musician-of-the-year Deschanel Gordon has a sensitive touch and the blend of Reuben Fox's bass clarinet with trumpet and Theo Erskine's tenor sax is nicely done – think a mix of Oliver Nelson and Coltrane's Africa Brass. Senzo finishes the set with a twisty theme, funky swing and a neat solo from bass clarinet. A well-worked retro-flavoured release, with solid solos and trumpeter Kavuma a few cuts above." (Mike Hobart, jazzwise.com)

Theo Erskine, tenor saxophone
Mark Kavuma, trumpet
Ruben Fox, bass clarinet
Deschanel Gordon, piano
Conor Chaplin, double bass
Luca Caruso, drums

Mark Kavuma
is a key player in London’s rapidly expanding jazz scene. As leader, he has released six albums including ‘Kavuma’ (2018), voted among the best albums of the year by Downbeat magazine and The Banger Factory (2019), both released with UK record label Ubuntu Music. Other solo albums include ‘Arashi No Ato’ (2021), ‘Back to Back’ (2022, debut piano record), The Banger Factory – Warriors (2022) and most recently: Erskine & Kavuma – Ultrasound (2023). All released on his emergent label Banger Factory records.

Firmly rooted in the hard bop tradition, Mark infuses this indelible musical movement with the energy, attitude and swagger of a new generation of creators. Musically, he has a unique and distinctive sound on the trumpet and an assured, finely crafted and personal approach to the instrument. Hints of gospel music, soul, and spiritual jazz sit alongside Hard Bop within his compositions and the prominence of Hammond Organ on his second album references Mark’s love of church music.

A gifted educator and inspirational creative enabler, Mark is an associate Music Leader for the Tomorrow’s Warriors programme, and is also involved in their professional performance ensembles, including the acclaimed Nu Civilisation Orchestra, Jazz Jamaica Small Band and Jazz Jamaica All Stars. He is also a brass tutor and leader at London based carnival band Kinetika Bloco.

Starting his professional career in his late teens, earlier career highlights include being featured twice with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, touring Europe with the legendary Salif Keita and Les Ambassadeurs and touring the world in Peter Brooke’s Production of ‘The Suit’.

He has recently completed a debut piano album and is also working on the Kinetika Bloco-All Stars album featuring a host of London’s burgeoning new jazz generation including Theon Cross, Nubya Garcia, Femi Koleoso, Ruben Fox, Sheila Maurice Grey and Reuben James.

This album contains no booklet.