This project between pianist Alcyona Mick and saxophonist Tori Freestone is a very special one. Not only are they busy composers and band leaders in their own right, together they have created a musical duo of great empathy and beauty.
After working together on the London jazz scene in various large ensembles and then travelling together to work on a project in the Canary Islands in 2014 - where they played Thelonius Monk tunes and wrote some of their own - the pair decided to fuse their unique writing styles and improvisational approaches to explore some new material and contemporary standards with a twist....
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This project between pianist Alcyona Mick and saxophonist Tori Freestone is a very special one. Not only are they busy composers and band leaders in their own right, together they have created a musical duo of great empathy and beauty.
After working together on the London jazz scene in various large ensembles and then travelling together to work on a project in the Canary Islands in 2014 - where they played Thelonius Monk tunes and wrote some of their own - the pair decided to fuse their unique writing styles and improvisational approaches to explore some new material and contemporary standards with a twist.
With a trio of albums to her credit, Alcyona has been performing internationally for many years, working regularly with Arabic artist Natacha Atlas. She is a member of the London Jazz Orchestra - for whom she also writes - the John Warren Nonet, and has a trio with Paul Clarvis and Stuart Hall.
Alcyona has performed on Turkish TV with many of that country's artists, and with a wide variety of other musicians, including pianist Zoe Rahman, Jerry Dammers' Spatial Orchestra and rising trumpet star Yazz Ahmed. She has also composed music for many independent short films, documentaries and silent cinema.
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Last here with Solstice and previously with her trio, Tori’s playing is featured in a number of the UK’s most exciting contemporary bands, such as the London Jazz Orchestra, Compassionate Dictatorship and Orquesta Timbala, while she’s also worked alongside musicians such as Jasper Hoiby, Jamie Cullum, Andy Sheppard and Jim Hart.
With two CDs under her belt, Tori is known for her robust tenor sound, as well as an ability to amalgamate into a variety of styles and musical contexts, while maintaining her highly personal and distinct voice. Her free-flowing, intelligent style highlights a great gift for melodic invention.
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Supporting are the Essex Youth Jazz Sextet, comprising talented members from the Essex Youth Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Martin Hathaway. Jack O’Gorman (Alto Sax), Kerensa Newcombe (Trumpet), Ina Kruger (Trombone), Harrison Dolphin (Double Bass), Will Hobson (Piano), Joe Ward Threadwell (Drums).
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"Mick has a very crisp and classical sound, with some broken and percussive sharp edges." - London Jazz New
"Her sound is a personal one, developed from the many influences she has absorbed and fashioned into a bright, modern sound of today.” - Jazz Journal on Tori Freestone
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