John’s debut album as composer/bandleader draws on influences such as Konitz, Haden, Mingus and Bley, and a varied musical upbringing. The subtly subversive writing is held together by a ruthlessly focused melodic instinct, with melody lines sometimes pushing at the boundaries of conventional harmony and other times serving as scaffolding for something more unusual. It is brought to life by an all-star band, arranged in combinations from duo to sextet. The angular post-bop of CONTRAFACT 1 sits alongside big-sky Americana (2700 Q STREET NORTHWEST) and soaring contemporary jazz in the title track, THE NORTHERN SEA.

ALEX HITCHCOCK — tenor saxophone

JONNY MANSFIELD — vibraphone

JOHN WILLIAMSON — double bass

JAY DAVIS — drums

IMMY CHURCHILL — voice

ALEX WILSON — piano

Produced by NIKKI ILES