Jay Phelps ft: Simon Jnr - Through The Clouds (Single) + 10 Questions

A household name in the UK jazz world, Canadian-born, UK-based trumpeter, DJ and composer Jay Phelps teams up with Birmingham MC Simon Jnr 'Through The Clouds'. It's the second single from his forthcoming album 'The Now', releasing via Platoon in partnership with Black Lives In Music.

With a career spanning 20 years, Phelps has performed as a sideman with some of the world's top names, including Amy Winehouse, George Benson and Wiz Kid. His work as founding member of award-winning contemporary jazz group Empirical in the late 2000s garnered international acclaim, an early precursor to the explosion of UK jazz that has since followed. As a bandleader, he's explored multiple styles, threading together the jazz language and tradition with contemporary influences, always with one eye on the future. His status as an innovator and enabler on the UK jazz scene has seen him host regular shows on Jazz FM and Gilles Peterson's Worldwide FM, and draw praise from The Guardian, Jazzwise and London Jazz News.

The forthcoming LP 'The Now' brings together a cross-generational collective of musicians. It's a journey from the underground, club-centric UK jazz scene, through to the house-filled streets of Detroit and progressive sonics of LA. Phelps continues on his mission as a connector of dots, bringing together multiple generations of musicians at the forefront of the UK's jazz scene, including David Mrakpor (Blue Lab Beats), Tom Ford (Chris Dave, Reuben James) and Nicola Guida (Secret Night Gang). The record draws inspiration from hip- hop, G-funk and broken beat, with Phelps and co weaving between styles through conversational improvisation, thoughtfully crafted melodies and a combination of vocal and horn-led arrangements.

Continuing with the west coast vibe explored on lead single 'Finding Centaurii', 'Through The Clouds' invokes shades of Anderson .Paak's jazz-fuelled soul-funk. Phelps' playful muted trumpet is paired with Ruta Sipola's flute in conversation with Mrakpor's vibraphone, with the instrumental finely balanced against Simon Jnr's lyrical flow, setting an inspirational tone of breaking through and looking past adversity.

"I wanted the catchy melody to be traded around the band, as it's the largest ensemble featured on the entire album. Simon Jnr came through and provided the lyrical masterpiece, which tied in perfectly to the themes I wanted to convey on the instrumental."

Jay Phelps sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer out infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

I went to a specialist art school (Langley Fine Arts) when I was 11 in Vancouver, Canada and it all began then. My mother  and some of the local parents set up a carpool system for us would be little artists, as it was an hours drive each way. We also had a few Jazz records in the house so I used to listen and transcribe them before I even knew what what I was doing. My grandfather was a jazz musician in Montreal, I never met him but his legend remained in our house.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

I would love to get in a room with Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and Kaytranada, but that’s highly unlikely. Though I had a traditional Jazz obsession as a younger man, my taste has broadened  in such a way that I am open to a plethora of possibilities. Lately I’ve been collaborating with London-based producers Oliver Night, EVM128, Cengiz, DJ Wheel Up! and hope to do more of that in the future. I have my sites on collabing with an amazing artist/DJ/producer called Hagan.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

My latest solo project is called THE NOW, releasing on Platoon via Black Lives in Music June 2023 with a lead up of singles. I explore a multitude of sounds with some of London‘s brightest young stars. As someone who’s been on the London jazz scene for over 20 years, I wanted to combine my experience with the high energy and potentness that is the scene today. I had an absolute blast in the studio with the likes of David Mrakpor (Blue Lab Beats) Tom Ford (Chris Dave, Reuben James) Nicola Guida (Secret Night Gang), Mackwood (Levitation Orchestra) and many more!

The first single (Finding Centaurii) has already been released with the second (Through The Clouds) is out May 11th and the third (The Malleables) hitting June 1, followed by the album June 23. Shout out to Bridge the Gap as well, for stealth-fully managing the entire campaign!

4. How would you describe your sound?

After 7 albums of ever changing music, I would still say it’s contemporary Jazz but with a worldly outlook and now more than ever, drenched in the London sound.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

Playing with Wynton Marsalis in his big band, Jazz at Lincoln centre at the Barbican and taking the chair of the man himself as he conducted. We performed a deep and meaningful suite of his called Congo Square.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Be as good as you can be on your instrument and learn as much as possible. Skill goes a long way and music can be your passport to the world if that skill is transferable to a multitude of styles and feelings.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

I think the new Bob Marley is a guy called Samory-I, from Jamaica. I saw him live and was blown away!

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Currently loads of Chet Baker, Mackwood and Desiinger. Strangest combo ever, but I’m always listening and keeping my ‘Ear to the Ground’.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

I like to keep current with space news or anything related. I love to cook for myself and my lovely fiancé (getting married in Greece in June) tend to my garden and keep fit at the gym, ride my bike and swim a bit more than I ever used to.

I also run my own agency called SoulEndvr, we offer musicians work in TV, film and advertising. In our short tenure, we have worked with Netflix, HBO, Amazon prime and the list goes on. https://soulendvr.com.

I have a documentary series on YouTube called Ear to the Ground, It’s a spin off from my 2 year stint as a presenter with Worldwide FM. I follow artists at home, backstage or wherever and capture a rare glimpse of their lives. https://youtube.com/@eartothegrounddocs.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

My Eclipse trumpet, Apple track pad and a full belly.