RELEASE DATE: APRIL 14, 2023. CATALOG # 202304 UPC: 855925004806.

Led by one of the UK's most formidable jazz pianists, George Cooper, The Jazz Defenders are a group born from a deep love of Blue Note jazz, drawing on a wealth of inspiration to craft their own raw and vibrant compositions.

The hard bop recordings of Horace Silver, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan and Art Blakey were highly regarded for a reason - catchy horn lines and incredible musicianship combined with Rudy Van Gelder's engineering skills mean they will forever be regarded as classics of the genre. The Jazz Defenders are a group that defends the legacy of those recordings whilst creating its own original identity and distinction. The music they produce together is a modern soul jazz slant on this classic hard bop, effortlessly channeling the spirit of the golden Blue Note era of jazz.

The group's brainchild, pianist and composer George Cooper, has at a young age already amassed a comprehensive repertoire of musical credits including Hans Zimmer, Nigel Kennedy, U2, Omar, Slum Village, MF Doom, The Brand New Heavies, The Haggis Horns, Abstract Orchestra and Lack of Afro.

George Cooper - Piano/Keyboards

Will Harris - Bass

Ian Matthews - Drums

Nick Malcolm - Trumpet

Jake McMurchie - Tenor Sax

"This Bristol, England outfit understands what made hard bop a force in jazz back in the ’50s and ’60s, and it has unlocked the key to bringing that excitement and style to the 21st century with new original material, and it delivers in a big way. If you dig Horace Silver and Cannonball Adderley, you’ll be thrilled to discover this group."  Musoscribe, Asheville USA

TRACKS:

1. Top Down Tourism 4:51

2. Everybody’s Got Something 4:24

3. Scheming 3:07

4. I Bought it on the Moon 5:49

5. Late 6:20

6. Hawkeye Jorge 3:25

7. Costa Del Lol 4:36

8. Rosie Karima 3:35

9. She’ll Come Round 5:11

10. Brown Down 6:25