Commotion is a convergence of musical histories: renowned bassist Riaan Vosloo draws together an ensemble of bandleaders in dynamic conversation, listening & offering each other space whilst maintaining their own independent conviction & learning. This is a brass tapestry with dancing piano & interlocking rhythm section.

And music that swings with the joyful collapsing movement of township jazz, the echoes of street music processions & brass bandstand afternoons, driven with the collective energy of free improvisation that evokes those classic large ensembles of Keith Tippett & Chris McGregor. With a repertoire drawing from some of the great composers such as Gil Evans, Chris McGregor, Duke Ellington, Sun Ra, Clifford Jordan & William Parker, alongside Riaan’s own compositions, Commotion respects the wisdom of their elders & the musical routes they took. At the same time, they maintain an “utterly compelling” (Tony Benjamin, B24/7) invigorating verve and soulful urgency of the now, pushing forward modern composition without ego.

The intention is set in process and this is a rare date that convenes some of the busiest figures in the present jazz scene. They find space in perpetual motion to be together at The Cube for an afternoon rehearsal before they invite us, an audience, to witness a rousing evening finale: a live recording with us, you & me, the energetic players too.

Riaan Vosloo is a highly respected bassist, arranger & composer with a particular focus in the contemporary jazz world having worked with Nostalgia 77, Run Logan Run, Matthew Bourne & Bristol super quartet Uphill Game, amongst many others.

Commotion are simply some of the UK’s finest jazz players: Laura Jurd (trumpet), Sam Crockatt (saxophones), Ross Hughes (flute, bari sax & bass clarinet), Rebecca Nash (piano), Riaan Vosloo (double bass) & Matt Stockham-Brown (drums).