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The album includes the first recording of Para Megan, an unpublished piece by Hermeto Pascoal.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.
Tracklist
- Day of the Mayfly (J Cervantes) – 5:28
- Interlude (J Cervantes) – 1:49
- Jonathan Livingston Seagull (J Cervantes) – 7:56
- Butterfly Effect (J Cervantes) – 6:47
- Para Megan (H Pascoal, arranged J Cervantes) – 8:53
- Forward Motion (J Cervantes) – 5:54
- 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