News

Empirical Nominated For A Mobo

• 28th Sep 2010

Multi award-winning jazz sensation Empirical have been nominated for a MOBO Award in 2010’s Best Jazz Act category for their critically-acclaimed second album Out ‘n’ In (out now on Naim Jazz).

British post-bop pin-up boys Empirical made a swift ascent to the heights of the UK jazz scene in April 2007, with their Courtney Pine endorsed eponymous debut album (also produced and released on Mr Pine’s Destin-E record label).

The (then) quintet, harvested critical acclaim at every corner and quickly amassed accolades including BBC Jazz Awards Best Ensemble, Mojo Jazz Album of the Year and Jazzwise Album of the Year.

Every live performance ensured a rigorous demonstration of pure talent; justifying the fresh-faced, smart-dressed boppers’ rapid and hype-free rise to success. Their achievements took them to the USA, where a rare standing ovation at the Newport Jazz Festival awaited. Whilst on the cusp of breaking infamous American preconceptions on new British jazz music, conflicting aspirations began to drive the band apart.

In August 2008, Kit Downes (the pianist and band leader whose Trio recently enjoyed a Mercury Prize nomination) and later Jay Phelps (trumpet) left Empirical due to artistic differences.

Promoters and music industry bods alike feared the magic was over. Some pronounced Empirical ‘dead’.

The remaining trio of Tom Farmer (bass) and childhood friends Shaney Forbes (drums), Nathaniel Facey (alto sax) grew increasingly introspective. Digging deep into their collective musical consciousness and influences, the group found solace in the boundary-pushing idiom of the vastly under-rated and prematurely deceased saxophonist/clarinettist Eric Dolphy (1928 – 1964).

In recruiting bright-eyed Trinity College student Lewis Wright (vibraphone), Empirical began to cultivate a cerebral edge in their original compositions. Eager to hit the studio, but lacking in finances, fate smiled upon the quartet. Empirical performed for the Musicians’ Benevolent Fund’s Peter Whittingham Award, winning hands down and securing funding to complete their latest record Out ‘n’ In.

Once again, mass critical acclaim greeted the band’s Dolphy inspired long-player with open arms, but the line-up change was a talking point that Empirical had a great deal of trouble shaking.

Empirical have spent 2010 spreading their musical blessings across the European festival circuit, out to prove that they are here to stay, and if they were ever ‘dead’, this MOBO nomination is empirical evidence that Out ‘n’ In is their renaissance.

The 15th MOBO Awards ceremony will take place at the Echo Arena in Liverpool on Wed 20th October.

Empirical play Peter Parker’s Rock n’ Roll Club as part of London Jazz Festival on Tuesday 16th November. link

PLEASE VOTE FOR EMPIRICAL TO WIN ‘BEST JAZZ ACT’ @: link