Chris Allard - Melodic Collective (2023)

Out now is the brand new album by Melodic Collective - a new collaborative contemporary jazz group formed by guitarist Chris Allard, encompassing the diverse musical experience and influences of each of the members to produce a fresh and original cohesive sound.

Melodic Collective’s synonymous debut album generates washes of emotionally charged, complex and intellectual harmonic colours, framed in an interactive simultaneously swinging, controlled yet free rhythmic palette. Spiralling contrapuntal melodic figures dart between the guitar, trumpet and piano, by turn giving way to open atmospheric grooves, virtuosic and energetic improvising. In places driving, reflective, whistful, playful, humorous, progressive and yet steeped in tradition. Each of the members brings their original compositions and stylistic approach to create an exciting collective sound.

All the members of Melodic Collective have been highly-regarded creative improvising musicians in the UK for some years; Guitarist Chris Allard has recorded five previous original albums to date; garnering critical acclaim including four stars in Jazzwise, Jazz Journal, Guitarist and BBC Music Magazines. He has also been involved in many collaborative projects and in the studio/session realm. He has worked for some years with Jacqui Dankworth MBE, Charlie Wood, the BBC Big Band, Steve Waterman and many others. He is also a Professor of Jazz at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Pianist John Turville has won 3 national jazz awards and his recent albums have garnered 4 and 5 stars in the UK and European press. Robbie Robson is a highly respected trumpet player and composer, with the London Jazz Orchestra, with Hans Koller and Gareth Lockrane amongst others. Oli Hayhurst is one of most highly regarded bass players in the UK - notably he played for more than 10 years in Pharoah Sanders’ European quartet. Will Glaser is one of the most creative drummers on the jazz and experimental music scenes and has performed with Kit Downes, Nikki Illes, Ben Van Gelder and many others.

Melodic Collective is Chris’ third release on Perdido; independent record label of legendary Memphis musician Charlie Wood. Amongst many accolades Charlie is the 136th recipient of a Beale Street Brass Note - the Memphis equivalent of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, alongside luminaries such as B.B. King and Isaac Hayes. The Perdido catalogue also features recordings by Jacqui Dankworth MBE.’

The album was produced and mixed by Mike Trim at Gecko Studios late 2022 over 2 days, capturing the vital essence of this remarkable quintet’s live performance – a highly notable album for the jazz community and far beyond.