John Cervantes

Category: Albums

  • Live at The Forge

    Live at The Forge

    Jazz compositions for a 13-piece ensemble

    Whilst pursuing his Master of Arts in Performance at the Royal Academy of Music, John was honored with the prestigious Peter Whittingham Development Award. This accolade enabled him to showcase his musical prowess and creativity in a unique concert of new music written for a 13-piece ensemble, consisting of a jazz octet, strings, and a harp. Guest soloist Stan Sulzmann added his renowned virtuosity to the performance, elevating it to even greater heights.

    “A remarkable exploration of texture and some moments of real depth… the enthusiastic audience would not let the band leave without an encore, they knew they had seen something special” – LondonJazzNews.com

    In addition to John’s music, the album includes the first recording of “Para Megan,” an unpublished piece composed by the legendary Brazilian musician Hermeto Pascoal.

    This charming composition was written for the daughter of a touring musician while they were waiting at an airport, and over time it passed through the hands of various musicians until it landed in John’s hands.

    Handwritten lead sheet by Hermeto Pascoal

    Tracklist

    1. Day of the Mayfly (J Cervantes) – 5:28
    2. Interlude (J Cervantes) – 1:49
    3. Jonathan Livingston Seagull (J Cervantes) – 7:56
    4. Butterfly Effect (J Cervantes) – 6:47
    5. Para Megan (H Pascoal, arranged J Cervantes) – 8:53
    6. Forward Motion (J Cervantes) – 5:54
    7. Simple Song (J Cervantes) – 5:40

    Musicians

    Stan Sulzmann – featured guest soloist tenor/soprano saxophone

    Tom Walsh – trumpet

    Joe Wright – soprano / tenor saxophone

    Kieran McLeod – trombone

    John Cervantes – piano, composer

    Alex Munk – guitar

    Tom West – double bass

    Dave Hamblett – drum kit

    Credits

    Recorded on 11th December 2010 at The Forge, Camden by Matt Robertson

    Mixed by Jules Jackson

    Mastered by Peter Beckmann

    Album cover by Alban Low

    Supported by The Peter Whittingham Jazz Award

  • Crossing The Threshold

    Crossing The Threshold

    An intoxicating mesh of hand claps, foot stamps, jazz harmony, improvisation, and dance

    John’s group captivated audiences with its fusion of fiery flamenco grooves and adventurous improvisation from flautist Gareth Lockrane and other top-notch musicians. The band was driven by an electrifying rhythm section of hand percussion, hand claps and flamenco dance. It performed to sell-out audiences at the EFG London Jazz Festival, Love Supreme Festival, and premier jazz venues such as The Vortex and Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho.

    Tracklist

    1. Buleria (J Cervantes) – 7:38
    2. Unfamiliar Woods (J Cervantes) – 8:22
    3. New Day (J Cervantes) – 6:13
    4. It Might Have Been (J Cervantes) – 7:04
    5. Quicksand (J Cervantes) – 4:33
    6. Crossing The Threshold (J Cervantes) – 6:34

    Musicians

    Gareth Lockrane – flutes

    John Cervantes – piano, rhodes, composer

    Sandy Suchodolski – double bass

    Jon Desbruslais – drum kit

    Malick Mbengue – cajon, congas, handclaps

    Jesus Olmedo – footwork, castanets, handclaps

    Pablo Dominguez / Adrian Sola – handclaps

    Credits

    Recorded 3rd & 4th July 2014 at Eastcote Studios by Philip Bagenal & George Murphy.

    Mixed & mastered by Tyler McDiamid.

    Cover photograph by Mike Drummond; Cover design by Split.

    Supported by Arts Council England.