Tomasz Bura: The Room Upstairs (UBU0074)
Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of pianist/composer/arranger Tomasz Bura for his solo album release, The Room Upstairs, on 4th December 2020.
Tomasz was born in Poland. He studied classical piano for a year at the music Academy of Katowice and graduated with distinction at the Stanislaw Moniuszko Music School in Zabrze in classical piano, harmony and improvisation.
Tomasz moved to London and quickly became a part of the London jazz fusion and funk scene. He has performed and toured across Europe and Africa, including France, Germany, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Turkey and Nigeria. He was a session musician and collaborator on various live and studio projects with the members of Jamiroquai, Sola Akingbola (Generation Vex), Incognito, Wretch 32, Fine Young Cannibals, PB Underground, Reel People, Marcus Anderson (Prince) and world-renowned guitarist Alex Hutchings.
Tomasz has appeared at some of the top London venues, including the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. He has performed live on various TV and radio shows including MTV, BBC, Channel 1, BBC Radio 1, BBC London Radio and TSF Jazz in Paris.
In 2015, Tomasz released his first solo piano album, ‘Ritual’, and created his jazz ensemble which in 2018 became ‘The Scientists’.
For his latest solo piano project, ‘The Room Upstairs’, Tomasz recorded at the prestigious Steinway Recording Studio in Fulbeck, United Kingdom, in February 2018. This impassioned and emotive music without words speaks through the language of harmonies and dynamics. The compositions and improvisations tell the story about love, transformation and challenges of life. It's a nostalgic and exquisite journey, written in notes by the artist through his fingers on the piano keys.
As Tomasz explains, “I enjoy and create various kinds of music. I compose for and perform with my own modern jazz group, ‘The Scientists’, and write for ensembles, always searching for the new, unknown sound. Yet the relationship with the solo piano is particularly personal and shows a different part of me. Through solo piano, I feel like the spiritual and more sensual part of me shows up and it wants to be released. Three years after ‘Ritual’, my first solo piano album, I have another statement. ‘Ritual’ and ‘The Room Upstairs’ close certain chapters of my life and start new ones. This project was inspired by and dedicated to my partner and vocalist, Rouhangeze Baichoo.”
Concerning his new relationship with Ubuntu Music, Tomasz elaborated, “Martin Hummel has been extremely supportive to me as an artist. For many years now I could count on his professional, honest advice and opinion. I trust his expertise and believe he can take my music to the next level of visibility. I could see the growth of Ubuntu Music throughout the years and I'm immensely impressed by Martin's dedication and drive in the way he works. His catalogue of artists includes some of the finest musicians from England and abroad. I feel very privileged to become a member of this exciting family. I hope this new partnership will bring a lot of beautiful and inspiring music right to your ears. Truly looking forward to this!”
Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, summed things up by saying, “It’s a joy and an honour to be finally and officially working with Tomasz. I have been courting him for a number of years, given his deep and broad-ranging talent. And now is the right time to begin our relationship with his solo project, ‘The Room Upstairs’, and to follow this up in time with equally amazing music. There is so much that Tomasz has to offer, and we’re delighted for him to share his music with the world, as the newest member of the Ubuntu Music Family.”
