John Cervantes

Category: Albums

  • Live at The Forge

    Live at The Forge

    Jazz compositions for a 13-piece ensemble

    At the Royal Academy of Music, John received the Peter Whittingham Development Award, which supported a concert of new compositions for a 13-piece ensemble featuring jazz octet, strings, and harp, with guest soloist Stan Sulzmann.
    The concert was recorded and released as Live at The Forge.

    “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.” London Jazz News

    The album includes the first recording of Para Megan, an unpublished piece by Hermeto Pascoal. The composition—written for the daughter of a touring musician while waiting at an airport—existed only as a handwritten manuscript passed among musicians. John arranged it for the ensemble after encountering it in a student group led by drummer Martin France at the Royal Academy.

    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

    Crossing the Threshold explored the intersection of flamenco and jazz, featuring flautist Gareth Lockrane alongside hand percussion, flamenco dance, and palmas (hand claps).

    The project was supported by Arts Council England and performed at Love Supreme Festival, EFG London Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott’s, 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.