matt Carter Octet: Read Between the Lines (UBU0143)

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the upcoming release of Read Between The Lines, the debut album from pianist/composer Matt Carter, which will be available worldwide from 23rd July 2023.

 Matt grew up in Exeter, England, and at the age of seven he was having classical piano lessons. He studied jazz piano at The Royal Academy of Music in London, and in 2021 graduated with first class honours. During that time Matt was involved in some incredible projects, including a big band project with Chris Potter and Dave Holland; a big band project playing the music of Steely Dan, featuring Hamish Stuart; a small band project run by Laurence Cottle; and a symphonic brass project run by Mike Lovett. He studied piano with Nikki Iles, Tom Cawley and Gwilym Simcock, and composition with Pete Churchill. Matt has performed with many of the UK's jazz scene's leading musicians including Gareth Lockrane, Dave O'Higgins, Alan Barnes and Byron Wallen. 

As a side man, Matt has performed, recorded, and toured with Joss Stone, Wet Wet Wet, Lack of Afro, Beverly Knight, Rosie Frater-Taylor and Mica Paris. He has played at venues such as Ronnie Scott's, Pizza Express, Jazz Cafe, The Millennium Theatre and Cheltenham Town Hall, as well as live on ITV, BBC Radio London and BBC Radio Suffolk. He has played on recordings that have been featured on Jazz FM, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6 and BBC Radio 3. 

Read Between The Lines is Matt’s first studio album, and has been long in the making since the band’s conception. The music contains elements of many genres such as blues, bebop and folk, and Matt’s writing has been compared to that of Marty Paich. Underpinning it all, however, is the group’s collective, joyful and rhythmic energy. The octet is comprised of many of Matt's favourite musicians, as well as close friends. Most of them met whilst studying at The Royal Academy of Music and The Guildhall School of Music & Drama. As a rhythm section, Luke Tomlinson (drums), Joe Lee (double bass) and Matt have recorded together and performed as sidemen for numerous artists. 

Concerning his debut album, Matt explains: “I’m grateful to every single one of the people that have been involved with this project. My main objective when recording the album was to capture as much of the raw energy that you get on a live gig as possible. I love writing for octet because there are so many options texturally. I love having the combination of tightly played arrangements/shout choruses to compliment the free flowing and spontaneous soloing.”

Matt goes on to describe his new relationship with Ubuntu Music: “I've known about Ubuntu Music for a while now, and over the last few years the label has released some incredible music. I was very pleased when Martin (Hummel) agreed to work with me on the release, and I know he has a real passion for helping artists share their music with the world. Some of my good friends have already released albums under the Ubuntu label, including Rory Ingham and Joe Lee with Bonsai and Jacky Naylor with The Industrial Suite, so I knew already that it would be great to work with Martin on this project.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “I was impressed with Matt’s debut project from the very first note. There’s an infectious energy and enthusiasm in each and every track, all of which are carefully crafted and therefore reward the listener. This is a very special release, and we are delighted that Matt has joined the Ubuntu Music Family.”