Samuel Eagles’ Spirit
Wednesday 6 June 2018
‘British alto saxist Samuel Eagles is a very fluent contemporary-bebop performer whose attractive pieces mix an agile bop sound with film-noirish atmospherics, and quick-change swaps between straight swing and Latin rhythms.’ Guardian
A formative grounding in classical piano and a fascination for the recordings of Kenny Garrett, were pivotal in bringing Samuel Eagles to the alto saxophone. Mentored by Mornington Lockett, who would regularly invite him to sit in on his own gigs, Samuel gained a place in the Royal Academy of Music’s Junior Jazz band, directed by respected educator Nick Smart – and whilst there, he was further inspired by classes from artists such as John Paricelli and Perfect Houseplants, enhanced by the first thrill of performing at the famed London venues of Ronnie Scott’s and Pizza Express Jazz Club. At Trinity College of Music he was tutored by Grammy Award-winning, US-born saxophonist and former Jazz Messenger, Jean Toussaint, as well as studying under other jazz luminaries including Russell van den Berg, Jason Yarde, Mark Lockheart and Simon Purcell which led to gaining a BMus (Hons) in Jazz Performance.
Eagles’ 2014 quartet album, Next Beginning, was hailed a promising and engaging debut by Jazzwise and The Guardian (“His deftly swerving post – bop inventiveness illuminates” – John Fordham); and, still in his twenties, he now flourishes as a professional saxophonist and composer displaying both natural artistry and assertiveness. Also becoming established as a popular sideman on the UK’s live scene, a significant contribution to Philip Clouts’ latest album release and tour, Umoya, saw the maturity of his playing enthusiastically praised. He has also performed and recorded with both the Gero Schipmann UK Quintet and Nomad Soul Collective, and is a member of Emeka Elendu’s dynamic afrobeat line-up Kalakuta.
Increasingly garnering international interest – chiefly in the areas of contemporary jazz, funk and world music – Eagles has worked with Moses Boyd, Ant Law, Ollie Howell, Fergus Ireland, Derek Nash, Eric Ford, Nubya Garcia, Chris Draper, Theon Cross, Ed Riches, Laurie Lowe, Louie Palmer, Daniel Casimir, Tim Thornton, Mansur Brown, Yussef Dayes, Dave Ingamells, Andy Davis, Saleem Rahmin, Manorma, Andy Highmore, Henry Lawrey and Nick Ereaut. He has appeared at London, Marlborough, Lancaster, Thames, Barga and Oldenburg jazz festivals, and continues to perform at UK jazz clubs and major venues in the capital such as The Vortex, Southbank Centre, Kings Place and The Spice of Life.
Now, surrounding himself with some of British jazz’s present-day torch bearers – Sam Leak (piano), Ralph Wyld (vibes), Duncan Eagles (tenor sax), Max Luthert (double bass) and Dave Hamblett (drums) – the saxophonist has set out with exciting new sextet project Spirit, whose debut album of original material – Ask Seek Knock – was released in June 2017, with longtime supporter Jean Toussaint guesting. This groove-laden recording – inspired by Eagles’ explorations of spirituality, sacrifice and beliefs – is being supported with a UK live tour, with plans to also take it out to China and South Korea.
“Samuel Eagles is rapidly standing out from what is today’s norm, with a fresh ear for the music and an exciting approach to improvisation, Samuel is set to make a big impact.” Jean Toussaint
“The future of Jazz… The real guardians of The Great Tradition…” Jazz Journal
“A work, then, that pulses with meaning, taking the active listener deeper and higher…” The London Evening Standard
“Young British altoist Samuel Eagles is a strong player with a rich sound and a fondness for bubbling double time-runs…” Jazzwise
“His assurance and inventiveness are impressive…” John Fordham – Guardian
“…Eagles leading off the solos with a marathon effort that saw him exhibiting an astonishing degree of fluency and technique for one so young” The Jazz Mann – Ian Mann (Live Review)