Gondwana Records Presents: Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra + Special Guests

Following his sold out shows at the RNCM and Hallé St Peters last year, Manchester-based trumpeter, composer, arranger, band-leader and record label boss Matthew Halsall makes a welcome return to the RNCM for a very special one-off show featuring the Gondwana Orchestra with guest vocalists Josephine Oniyama and Bryony Jarman-Pinto.

The Gondwana Orchestra is harpist Rachael Gladwin, saxophonist Jordan Smart, pianist Taz Modi (Submotion Orchestra), bassist Gavin Barras and drummer Luke Flowers (Cinematic Orchestra) plus the Gondwana Strings.

Matthew Halsall’s unique sound draws on the spiritual jazz of John and Alice Coltrane, alongside contemporary electronica and the classic Cadet recordings of Dorothy Ashby and psychedelic soul arrangements of Charles Stepney (Rotary Connection, Minnie Ripperton, Terry Callier) to deliver a sublime melding of stripped-back soulfulness and deep, minimalist, spiritual jazz. Expect to hear material from Halsall’s rich back catalogue, including the albums When The World Was One and Into Forever alongside new material.

Support comes from Gondwana Records latest stars, Mammal Hands, a trio of like-minded musicians, performing music from their brilliant new album Floa, which draws on influences from Steve Reich and Bonobo to Pharoah Sanders to Sufi trance music. Further guests to be announced.

‘Kind Of Blue meets The Cinematic Orchestra…saturated in a life-affirming glow’ Time Out 

‘Meditative beauty’ ★★★★ The Times 

‘Beautiful, spacious and spiritual music’ All About Jazz