Andy Sheppard (Saxes), John Parricelli (Guitar), Dudley Phillips (Bass),
Nick France (Drums)

This relatively new project for Andy Sheppard; 'East Coast'; is led by the saxophonist, inviting three of the most innovative instrumentalists at work today on the UK's jazz scene....all long-time friends and collaborators.

The music explores new ground for Sheppard's melodic inventiveness, anchored in inspirational coastal landscapes and sounds, much of this new music for East Coast was written by Sheppard during the pandemic; on the coast of Europe, near Ericeira in Portugal, where he now lives.

It was perfectly fitting that its UK premiere was at the First Light Festival in Lowestoft, celebrating one cycle of the midsummer sun; setting and rising over the beach in England's most easterly town. It was then reprised for the Cork Jazz Festival in Ireland.

Innovative but lyrical, sometimes ethereal but always ready to groove, grounded in tradition but free from boundaries, where the contrasts between all the different elements converge in an ongoing moment in time. A group of four distinctive musicians seeking to connect through the synergy of diverse musical languages infused with a greater sense of openness in the making.

East Coast is somewhat different, Sheppard says, to his more contemplative ECM groups. "It's a kind of kicking band!".. "It's far more 'get stuck in', play some tunes, and blow the s*** out of it',".....Sounds like the kind of high energy band Bristolians remember Andy for, back in the day.