Gondwana Records, the Manchester-based indie label, is set to take over Hall Two at London’s Kings Place, Saturday 15 February for a special mini-festival featuring performances from its boss Matthew Halsall and The Gondwana Orchestra (7pm) followed by GoGo Penguin (pictured) and Mammal Hands (9:15pm). Founded by trumpeter, composer and bandleader Halsall the label has steadily gained a substantial reputation for producing some of the UK’s hippest music with albums from Halsall, GoGo Penguin and saxophonist Nat Birchall.
The trumpeter kicks off the night with the debut of his most recent project, The Gondwana Orchestra, featuring saxophonist Birchall, flautist Lisa Mallett, harpist Rachel Gladwin, pianist Taz Modi, double bassist Phil France, Cinematic Orchestra’s Luke Flowers on drums and Keiko Kitamura on the koto, a traditional Japanese instrument. The exciting spiritual jazz ensemble will be playing music from their forthcoming album When The World Was One, that’s scheduled for release in May this year.
Beat-fuelled rising stars GoGo Penguin, featuring pianist Chris Illingworth, bassist Nick Blacka and drummer Rob Turner headline as they launch their highly anticipated second album v2.0, release on 17 March. Support comes from the up and coming trio Mammal Hands that feature pianist Nick Smart, drummer Jesse Barrett and saxophonist Jordan Smart. The trio will be releasing their debut album later this year; expect hypnotic grooves, explosive solos and genre bending music, characteristics that have become associated with Gondwana’s distinctive output.
– Daniel Taylor
Check out the February issue of Jazzwise for an exclusive in-depth interview with GoGo Penguin.
For more info go to www.kingsplace.co.uk
