LINE-UP
Orlando le Fleming – bass
Tom Cawley – piano/synths
James Maddren – drums
Featuring: James Copus – Trumpet
ABOUT
London Residency – premiering new music
“Outstanding” is an overused description but one that’s applied to bassist Orlando le Fleming so consistently that its justification can’t be denied. While living in New York he brought his inimitable personality to work on projects for the likes of Branford Marsalis, Joey Calderazzo, Antonio Sanchez, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Bill Charlap, Billy Cobham, Kevin Hays, Wayne Krantz, Jimmy Cobb, Ari Hoenig, Seamus Blake, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Leslie Odom Jr, Mark Turner and David Sanchez among many others.
As a leader he shines even brighter — his drum-less OWL Trio (with long time associates Will Vinson and Lage Lund) gained plaudits across the board for its hushed, intimate atmosphere. Downbeat declared “Everything about this album, is a resounding success. The music swings effortlessly, every utterance is gorgeous and the recording is intimate and beautiful.”
His latest release Romantic Funk: The Unfamiliar introduces us to a new sound, a tribute to the muscular, high-intensity fusion of the 1970s and 80s, and a new band, Romantic Funk. With material workshopped in an extended residency at New York’s storied 55 bar, Romantic Funk showcases Orlando’s virtuosic bass playing, whilst also giving his bandmates (including saxophonist Will Vinson and drummers Nate Wood & Kush Abadey) a platform to shine. Intuitive group interaction of the highest level is displayed within a backdrop of jazz, lush harmony, and funk.
The latest incarnation of the band features UK heavyweights, drummer James Maddren (Jacob Collier, Kit Downs, Gwilym Simcock) and Tom Cawley on Keys (Peter Gabriel)
Orlando will be premiering brand new music for this band in his September residency at the Vortex.
“Long may Orlando Le Fleming’s electric jazz renaissance continue.”
★★★★ Jazzwise Magazine (Editor’s Choice)
“An outstanding bassist takes a turn towards muscular fusion.”
WBGO