Jazz In The Round: Respair @ Efg London Jazz Festival at The Cockpit

It is possible to divide the birth of Respair into three formative chapters: the early months, during which the quartet swerved and twitched into life, experimenting with myriad ideas and slowly honing their unique sound; the wilderness period that was pandemic-life - spending almost two years physically apart, but nonetheless forming integral parts of each other's emotional support network throughout; and at long last free to express and unburdened by borders, the collective have finally devoted themselves to constant creative exploration, evolution and growth.

This, their inaugural performance at Jazz in the Round and the EFG London Jazz Festival, marks two years since that second (re)birth and is a testament to over four years of quiet dedication and longing to craft a musical identity that truly represents their four distinct souls. Drawing on an array of different influences and trainings - from the musical spirutality of their childhoods to studies at the BRIT School and Russian Consevatoire of Samara to more recent years absorbing and cutting teeth amidst the vibrantly eclectic London music scene - Respair has slowly found their voice, valuing equally the hypnotic psychedelia of electronica, the virtuosic intricacies and rich vocabulary of jazz and the emotional intimacy that stems from the blues and soul....

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It is possible to divide the birth of Respair into three formative chapters: the early months, during which the quartet swerved and twitched into life, experimenting with myriad ideas and slowly honing their unique sound; the wilderness period that was pandemic-life - spending almost two years physically apart, but nonetheless forming integral parts of each other's emotional support network throughout; and at long last free to express and unburdened by borders, the collective have finally devoted themselves to constant creative exploration, evolution and growth.

This, their inaugural performance at Jazz in the Round and the EFG London Jazz Festival, marks two years since that second (re)birth and is a testament to over four years of quiet dedication and longing to craft a musical identity that truly represents their four distinct souls. Drawing on an array of different influences and trainings - from the musical spirutality of their childhoods to studies at the BRIT School and Russian Consevatoire of Samara to more recent years absorbing and cutting teeth amidst the vibrantly eclectic London music scene - Respair has slowly found their voice, valuing equally the hypnotic psychedelia of electronica, the virtuosic intricacies and rich vocabulary of jazz and the emotional intimacy that stems from the blues and soul.

Revitalised and reinvigorated, the quartet spent much of 2022 writing, gigging and recording and, come 2023, independently released two singles and two live videos (including one with MOBO-Award-nominated Yohan Kebede of Kokoroko). Shows followed across London at the Outernet’s Lower Third, Shepherd Bush’s Next Door Records, Crazy Coqs Jazz Club and Hackney’s Paper Dress Vintage - along with slots at Wilderness Festival and Dalston Curve Garden. This autumn/winter will see new releases, including a first music video collaboration (with Ukranian visual artist/director Taya Shovgelia) and performances at both Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and the Southbank Centre, as part of the latter’s emerging artist programme, FutureTense.

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