Ben Cottrell

In All Seriousness is pleased to announce the recent signing of Ben Cottrell, the composer, arranger and saxophonist who, with his Manchester-based ensemble Beats & Pieces, uses contemporary reference points from a range of popular musics to inform his invigorating approach to the art of large ensemble writing. Cottrell aims to update the repertoire for jazz big band and has ambitions to expand his reach to include works for a variety of genres from indie rock to electronic music to symphony orchestra.

Cottrell’s original approach to writing for big band has seized the attention of jazz audiences and critics - the Guardian glowingly stating that: ‘Few bands play work of this complexity with such passionate conviction. Movers and shakers such as Ben Cottrell demonstrate that large ensembles remain a vital force in contemporary jazz’.

Cottrell will lead Beats & Pieces on their first UK tour which will coincide with the release of a their album Big Ideas – out via Efpi Records. For more info see: www.beatsnpieces.net

Ben Cottrell was a 2011 Take Five participant - click here for more information.

Click here to listen to Jazz Walk from Beats & Pieces new album.

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