James Kitchman

James Kitchman on ubuntu music

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of composer/guitarist James Kitchman for his debut album release, First Quartet, on 28th January 2022.

James leads a cast of London’s finest improvisers: pianist Bruno Heinen (Denys Baptiste); bassist Tom McCredie (Elliot Galvin); and drummer Shane Forbes (Empirical). They play James' compositions which draw influences from the variety of musical worlds he traverses; from jazz, to chamber music, to contemporary folk. Improvisation and empathic listening are at the core of the group’s spirit, conjuring a sound that is equally stark and refreshing.

James describes the idea behind the album: “Having spent the best part of a decade honing my craft as a guitarist and improviser, I made it to a place where I felt my experience and imagination start to converge, so I began to compose the music for this record. There are influences from lots of places - I didn’t want to shy away from exhibiting certain aspects of myself, nor from my jazz tendencies. There are nods to my beginnings in folk and psychedelic rock, harmonies derived from the melancholy and romanticism of Astor Piazzolla and the Nuevo-Tango, melodies inspired by composers such as Chopin and Satie, the expansive textures of Scandinavian jazz and the ‘ECM’ sound, and of course the masters of jazz who continue to inspire and inform my playing style (Coltrane, Rollins, Jim Hall, Scofield, Frisell). I hope this results in a record that will be enjoyed by eclectic listeners and aficionados alike.”

James continues: “The quartet is completed by three very happening players (Bruno Heinen - piano, Tom McCredie - bass, & Shane Forbes - drums) each of whom I have played with for a number of years. When I formed the group I knew that they would sound great together - and it sounded that way from the first few notes. They understood what the music was about and brought the vibe in the studio. This record is as much my debut as a jazz guitarist and bandleader as it is a composer. I wanted to create environments in which things could happen musically, and for me they did.”

“Quietly rebellious”

--Songlines Magazine

Concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu Music, James concludes: “I am thrilled to join the Ubuntu Music family alongside a roster of so many fine artists. Martin Hummel has created an exciting and dynamic label and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, shares his thoughts: “James has a style and a touch, all his own. His influences are diverse, which are reflected in his playing. He’s amassed top drawer talent. ‘First Quartet’, his debut album, captures this magic, taking the listener on a hypnotic audio journey. We welcome James and the Quartet to the Ubuntu Music family.”

JAMES KITCHMAN BIOGRAPHY

James began playing piano at the age of six, before switching to guitar at age nine. Raised in Northumberland, he made his first concerts performing traditional folk music at Ceilidh dances. At age ten he received his first electric guitar, and was soon learning Jimi Hendrix solos by ear and writing his own songs. Although the only musician in his family, he was captivated by his parents' diverse record collection which spanned from Bach, to Beethoven, to Billie Holiday, to The Beatles.

As a teenager he wrote songs and played in many bands, before developing an interest in jazz and improvisation upon attending Newcastle College’s Performance Academy at age sixteen. Primarily self-taught until this point, he was enrolled in the weekend programme at The Sage Gateshead where he studied ear training/solfeggio, harmony, and composition as well as performing at the Gateshead International Jazz Festival.

At age 19 he won a full scholarship to study at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. Soon after arriving in London, he performed at Ronnie Scotts and The Vortex, and was commissioned to write a score for Upsomene 277 - a short film shortlisted for Sundance Festival. Whilst primarily focusing on jazz and composition, James was also a founding member of the London Soundpainting Orchestra - a large ensemble improvising from sign-language with performance highlights including ENO London Coliseum, and the Institute of Contemporary Art, amongst others.

Since graduating from Trinity, James has become one of the most sought-after jazz guitarists of his generation, frequently appearing at London’s most prestigious venues in collaboration with UK and international artists. His projects have encompassed a broad array of influences and carry a thread of eclecticism; he co-led the Southern Cone Quintet’s chamber music take on Argentinian, Chilean, and Uruguayan folk music; performing with this group at Union Chapel, and the BBC Proms - a concert that was broadcasted on national radio, he was part of the Orpheus Sinfonia in Grammy-nominated composer Tarik O’Regan’s electro-acoustic opera ‘The Wanton Sublime’ at Grime-Born Opera Festival, and recently performed a series of sold-out concerts at Hackney Empire with Pete Doherty and Carl Barât of The Libertines.

James’ duo with German vocalist Sylvia Schmidt explores the Anglo/American folk songs of the Appalachian Mountains, creating a sound that embraces the dynamic tension between forces of preservation and transformation. They released their debut album ‘As Long As Songbirds Sing’ in 2020, which features James’ arrangement of the song ‘I Wonder As I Wander’, selected by BBC Radio 3 to be played on the Christmas eve ‘Breakfast Show’.

As a guitarist, James has performed at many major venues in the UK and Europe. These include Royal Albert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Warsaw Philharmonic Hall, Kings Place, Sage Gateshead, Ronnie Scott’s, and Union Chapel. Other appearances include numerous international jazz, folk, and classical music festivals. He has toured and held residencies across Europe. Recognised for carrying his distinctive voice across all of his work, James is in continual pursuit of artistic development.