ubuntu music-Omar + QCBA Live/Spotify

Omar + QCBA: Live At Last (UBU0100)

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of sensational soul vocalist Omar + QCBA for the release of their upcoming live album, which is being recorded at their two sold out shows at London’s Jazz Café on Friday, 29th May.

Omar Lye-Fook MBE is, without a doubt, one of the greatest soul music talents the United Kingdom has produced in the last 40 years. If anyone has doubts about that, then they should consider the list of legendary artists who happily line up to collaborate with him musically, or simply sing his praises – from Stevie Wonder, the late Leon Ware, Erykah Badu, Common, through to Carleen Anderson, D’Angelo, and Soul II Soul’s Caron Wheeler, Angie Stone and UK artists Courtney Pine, Rodney P, Kele LeRoc, Natasha Watts and Estelle, who all appreciate his truly original and unique voice, his musicianship and his songwriting talent.

Omar teams up with his decade-long partnership of QCBA, featuring the outstanding trumpet player Quentin Collins and the tenor sax titan Brandon Allen, for an intoxicating musical cocktail of jazz, R&B, funk and soul.

QCBA are an organ driven quartet of virtuosos known for their smart, sassy, contemporary and original music. Influenced by the great Blue Note era of the 60s, they’ve taken the jazz scene by storm with their eclectic collaborations. When QCBA team up with Omar, they deliver an explosion of soul-funk infused music.

Rounding out the band are two absolutely exceptional talents: Ross Stanley, arguably the best Hammond organist in the country, and James Maddren, certainly one of the most sought-after drummers in jazz today.

Commenting on the upcoming project, Omar shared his thoughts: “I’m very excited to extend my collaboration with these great jazz musicians onto a live recording and share this fresh approach to my music with my fans.”

Quentin Collins continued, saying: “"I'm excited to have this opportunity to further develop my longstanding musical relationships with both Omar and Ubuntu Music. For so long now I've been a huge admirer of both Omar's incredible voice as well as his unique song writing style. Having collaborated together for over 10 years, it makes a lot of sense to put down on record QCBA's arrangements of some of Omar’s great songs."

Brandon Allen also chimed in: “The chemistry between Omar and our group has always been very strong. Omar’s distinctive style, combined with our original arrangements of his music, creates something quite unique, which is a blend of soul/funk and the blue note jazz sound. I’m really looking forward to being part of this special performance and live recording.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, adds his perspective: “This album was destined to happen. All of the musicians on this upcoming recording have appeared on Ubuntu Music releases. Omar was a special guest on Camilla George’s last album. Quentin was my original partner in starting the Label and, along with Brandon, released the last QCBA album with Ubuntu. Ross was on this same QCBA release and also features on Nigel Price’s latest. And James was the pivotal drummer on our Martin Speake/Ethan Iverson album, as well as Calum Gourlay’s release. Omar + QCBA was made for a live recording, as anyone who has ever seen this band perform would wholeheartedly agree. They create a highly unique kind excitement and energy at the highest level. We are thrilled to be releasing this album, for everyone to enjoy. We welcome them to our beautiful Family.”