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 motion 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 & to break bread before they invite us, an audience, to witness a rousing evening finale: a live recording with us, you & I, 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 (saxophone), Ross Hughes (flute & bass clarinet), Raph Clarkson (trombone), Rebecca Nash (piano), Riaan Vosloo (double bass) and Matt Stockham-Brown (drums).