The Collection Alban Claret & Evan Clegg

• 1 The Collection 05:05
• 2 Al A Parker 03:02
• 3 Unprescribed Playfulness 04:43
• 4 Mind Block 03:59
• 5 Stella By Artois 03:47
• 6 Winter Pace 06:17
• 7 Get Al In Town 03:01
• Total Runtime 29:54

Info for The Collection

A shared love of bebop and composition discovered at a fortuitous meeting at the Tate Britain, set guitarist Alban Claret and trumpeter Evan Clegg on a path leading to the May 2021 release of their debut album The Collection. After playing together for some time, the duo decided to put pen to paper to create a collection of compositions. Creative sparks flew at a thunderous pace and they quickly built a repertoire of original material rooted firmly within the jazz tradition yet remaining at once compelling and accessible to listeners. Their powerful delivery of snappy tunes along with confident improvisational passages clearly reflect the influences of Charlie Parker, Lennie Tristano and Miles Davis.

The Collection opens with the title track, a catchy up-beat original blues that makes a bold statement and showcases proficiency in taking a standard form entirely new, surprising direction.

‘Unprescribed Playfulness’, by far the most prolific composition on the recording uses winding melodies to create a unique texture in turn providing a launch pad for the remarkable sound of Duncan Eagles who intensifies the track with soaring improvised lines culminating in an explosive climax taking the solos back to the form.

Other tracks on the recording provide fitting tributes to their influences; ‘Al A Parker’ to Charlie Parker, ‘Get Al In Town’, ‘Mind Block’ to Lennie Tristano and ‘Winter Pace’ to modern jazz compositions. The Collection is a highly anticipated debut release representing a confident, honest and pure collaboration and one that is sure to put Alban and Evan firmly on the map.

Alban Claret: Born in the South of France, Claret began playing Guitar when he was eight but started to take his instrument seriously at the age of fourteen. Learning primarily by ear he then studied at the Royal Conservatory of the Netherlands with Martijn van Iterson. Over the last ten years he has maintained a busy touring schedule across Europe. Encountering artists such as Gregory Hutchinson and David Liebman on the band stand shaped his views on music but spending time with Peter Bernstein gave him the direction and focus he needed. He decided to pursue his music career in London leading to a meeting with Evan on stage, making a rare, instant musical connection with a mutual desire to make honest music that speaks to the people.

Evan Clegg: Evan grew up in Yorkshire and studied jazz trumpet at Royal Welsh College of Drama and Trinity College of Music. An exciting performer, he has already played in many of London’s notable venues as well as undertaking regular international work in Europe, USA, Mexico, India and the Middle East. Evan has toured extensively with international acts including Max Romeo and Lee Scratch Perry, learning a lot about rhythm, ensemble playing and phrasing along the way. Spending time with Kenny Wheeler further shaped his playing and he has developed a mature, distinctive style with musical ‘to-the-point’ phrasing that nods to his influences but is a unique voice of his own.

Alban Claret, guitar
Evan Clegg, trumpet, flugelhorn
Duncan Eagles, tenor saxophone
Luke Fowler, double bass
Kuba Miazga, drums

Nigel Price
Over a career spanning more than 25 years, award-winning jazz guitarist Nigel Price has become widely acknowledged as one of the hardest-working musicians in the business. Musically, his blend of flowing bebop lines, deep blues sensibility and his mastery of chording continue to delight audiences and fellow musicians alike. His career highlights include a support show for Gladys Knight at The Royal Albert Hall and an appearance on Van Morrison’s recent album Keep Me Singing.

Alban Claret
is a guitarist from Perpignan, France. He has studied at the Musicology Faculty at the Conservatoire of Montpellier, the Jazz department of the Conservatoire of Perpignan, and the Jazz department at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague. In 2017, Alban decided to move to London and settle as a full-time musician and has since performed in numerous Jazz clubs in London and the UK.

This album contains no booklet.