Jean Toussaint salutes his Sisters, Brothers and Others on UK tour

Saxophonist Jean Toussaint tours his new project Songs for my Sisters, Brothers and Others this autumn, ahead of a planned studio recording in early 2023. Toussaint explained the background to the new music: “The idea behind the project is to pay homage to my siblings, other family members, respected friends, and mentors etc. People who had a positive impact on my life and have helped make me who I am as an artist. During the lockdown I missed my family and friends greatly. With a lot of time at hand, I started thinking of them by focussing on their personalities and by trying to define them through music… this collection of compositions is dedicated to my siblings and other people important to my life. I’m planning to release this as Songs for my Sisters, Brothers and Others.”

The band for the album comprises UK players trumpeters Byron Wallen and Freddie Gavita, trombonist Dennis Rollins, pianist Jonathan Gee, bassists Conor Murray and Mutale Chashi, plus drummers Shane Forbes, Troy Miller and Mark Mondesir with a host of top guest musicians from across the London scene.

Toussaint tours the music with his quartet/ quintet/sextet on the following dates: NCEM, York (JT5, 5 Oct); Seven Arts, Leeds (JT5, 6 Oct; Sheffield Jazz (JT5, 7 Oct); Lighthouse, Poole (JT6, 14 Oct); Bonington, Nottingham (JT5, 20 Oct); Taliesin, Swansea (JT5, 3 Nov); RWCMD, Cardiff (JT5, 4 Nov); Bristol Beacon (JT5, 5 Nov); Calstock Arts Centre (JT5 6 Nov); Hidden Rooms, Cambridge (JT4, 10 Nov); Blue Room, Lincoln (JT4 11 Nov); Truck Theatre, Hull Jazz Festival (JT4, 12 Nov); Eastside Jazz Club, Birmingham (JT4, 17 Nov); Cadogan Hall, London (JT6, 19 Nov) and The Sage, Gateshead (JT4, 26 Nov).

For more info visit www.jeantoussaint.com