Research and development ahead of Manchester Jazz Festival commission
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Ben Cottrell is a composer, arranger and conductor currently based in Manchester, best known for his work with the acclaimed Beats & Pieces Big Band. He also runs independent label Efpi Records, and as an arranger has worked for artists including Laura Mvula, Goldie and Everything Everything.
Ben has recently been awarded the Irwin Mitchell mjf originals commission by Manchester Jazz Festival, for which he will create a major new work for string ensemble, double rhythm section, trumpet and electronics entitled New Seeing that will premiere during the festival in July 2016. As with his writing for Beats & Pieces, the music for New Seeing will combine jazz with inspiration from a multitude of musical styles. The instrumentation is inspired by the classic ‘Stan Getz’ album Focus, but here the ensemble will be approached from a very different perspective.
Support from the PRS for Music Foundation will enable Ben to work closely with the musicians in the ensemble ahead of the composition stage, spending time researching possibilities of orchestration and electronic treatments before workshopping these initial ideas in a number of exploratory rehearsal sessions. The funding will also allow for an early ‘dress rehearsal’ session with the full ensemble and technical setup, which will be crucial to the success of the premiere performance. Following on from this first performance, the aim is to record and tour in the UK and into Europe, establishing New Seeing as a major new ensemble on the European jazz scene.