OK AURORA / Only in Autumn (UBU0088)
Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of OK Aurora, and eight-piece jazz-meets-pop ensemble, for the release of their album, Only in Autumn, on 30th July 2021.
OK Aurora are a London based Octet led by drummer Rod Oughton. Taking inspiration from artists such as Steely Dan and Becca Stevens, this project fuses contemporary jazz and pop music. Their debut EP, Baby Zeza, was released in 2019, and since then the band has performed all over the UK, including venues in London, Bristol and the South-West. In 2020, the Arts Council of England funded OK Aurora’s UK tour and the recording of their upcoming debut album, Only in Autumn, which was recorded at Giant Wafer Studio in Wales.
The band is led by Rod Oughton, an up-and-coming jazz drummer based in London. Since graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music in 2015, Rod has performed all over the UK and Europe, as well as in Havana, Cuba and the Dubai Opera House. He has appeared on the main stages of the Latitude and Citadel Festivals with Hudson Taylor, in Cadogan Hall with the James Taylor Quartet and with emerging Pop star Hannah Grace at the BST Festival in Hyde Park (supporting Barbara Streisand).
The eight-piece outfit consists of a number of emerging musicians on the UK jazz scene, including Alina Miroshnichenko (vocals), Alexandra Ridout (trumpet), Ronan Perrett (alto sax), Dan Smith (tenor sax), Jacky Naylor (piano), Billy Marrows (guitar), Pete Komor (bass), along with Rod Oughton (drums and compositions).
Rod explains the idea behind the project: “OK Aurora was formed to make a big sound. It’s an eight-piece band, including three horns and a singer, so it’s a lot of fun when we all get going. I take a lot of influence from artists such as Steely Dan and Becca Stevens, who blur the lines between pop and jazz, and I’ve always tried to write in a way that allows the musicians to stretch out but is also accessible to an audience that might not be too familiar with jazz.”
Rod continues: “The music on this album draws influence from many different parts of the world, from Laurel Canyon to Rio De Janeiro. I really love samba, salsa and soukous (The Three S’s!) and in the last few years I’ve travelled to Brazil, Cuba and various parts of East Africa to experience these styles of music in their natural habitat. I think these trips have really influenced my writing style. The songs I’ve written are all inspired by my own personal experiences, and I love the way that Alina Miroshnichenko (vocalist) has interpreted my lyrics. She makes my stories her own and translates them to the listener.”
Describing their new relationship with Ubuntu Music, Rod concludes: “I’m super happy to sign to Ubuntu, as I feel honoured to be part of their community. So many artists on their roster are not only incredible musicians, but also my friends and peers. I feel as though this label is a great representation of some of the amazing stuff that’s going on in the UK right now, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, adds his perspective: “I was absolutely knocked out when I listened to the title track, ‘Only in Autumn’, and the rest is history. Rod and OK Aurora have a distinct sound all their own. It’s accessible jazz with contemporary music twist, that’s bound to put a smile on your face and movement in your feet. We’re happy to have OK Aurora join us.”
