Same Moon in the Same World Live at The Verdict Jazz Club

Ant Law - guitar

Alex Hitchcock - tenor saxophone

Ernesto Simpson - drums

Ferg Ireland - bass

"Law is an innovator" The Guardian

"an incredible saxophonist with something unique to say" Walter Smith III on Alex Hitchcock

SAME MOON IN THE SAME WORLD is an ambitious new collaboration between Ant Law (guitar) and Alex Hitchcock (saxophone). The album was recorded in 2020 and 2021 across multiple continents – bridging the gap between London and Tel-Aviv, and Amsterdam and New York – it brings together a stellar cast of guest musicians performing new compositions. It was released in November to great acclaim and now the band is now exploring the music in front of live audiences, as well as brand new compositions by Alex and Ant. Tonight we have London's finest on bass - Ferg Ireland, and Cuban veteran Ernesto Simpson on drums. Expect musical fireworks!British guitarist Ant lives in London and is “a game changer” according to The Guardian. His 5th album ‘Same Moon in the Same World’ (Outside in Music) was released on 4th November 2022. Same Moon is a collaboration between Ant and the brilliant saxophonist & composer Alex Hitchcock. Recorded in 2020/2021 across multiple continents, bridging the gap between London and Tel-Aviv, and Amsterdam and New York, it brings together a stellar cast of guest musicians performing new compositions: vibraphonist Joel Ross, bassists Linda May Han Oh, Ben Williams and Jasper Høiby, and drummers Jeff Ballard, Kendrick Scott, Sun-Mi Hong and Eric Harland.

In 2013 his debut 'Entanglement' (33Jazz) was released, followed by 'Zero Sum World' (Whirlwind Recordings) in 2015 and then 'Life I Know' (Edition Records) in 2018. This release was described as “career-defining”. It achieved 5 star reviews, made numerous “best of 2018" lists, received airplay in the UK, Europe, Australia, and was added to numerous editorial playlists on Spotify. 2020 saw the release of Ant’s 4th album - the critically acclaimed ‘The Sleeper Wakes’ (Edition).

In addition to leading his own projects, Ant plays in Tim Garland's band with Jason Rebello & Asaf Sirkis, featuring on albums 'Songs To The North Sky', 'Return To The Fire' & 'ONE' which was shortlisted for a Grammy and won the Jazzwise Best Album award. Ant is also the “L” in Trio HLK who record/tour with Dame Evelyn Glennie. He has worked with other notables Cory Henry, Thomas Gould and is featured in “Total Guitar", “Guitar Techniques" & “Guitarist” magazines. In the latter he rwas included in a list of “10 Astounding Virtuosos”, and the May 2021 issue of Guitar Techniques features a 2-page spread on Ant, and a 9/10 review of The Sleeper Wakes.

Alex Hitchcock (tenor saxophone & compositions):

'An incredible saxophonist, with something very unique and original to say' Walter Smith III

‘Ridiculous technique and harmonic proficiency combined with progressive creativity that sees him leading the charge in terms of new jazz music being created in the UK’ Linley Hamilton, BBC Jazz World

'One of the important voices for the future of English jazz... a composer who creates wonderful foundations for his fellow musicians' Nettavisen [NO]

Saxophonist Alex Hitchcock is an immediately distinctive improviser and a leading voice on his instrument in the UK. An Ivor Novello-nominated composer, his innovative collaborations have confirmed his growing international reputation as an instigator and catalyst for captivating musical encounters that 'continually push the envelope a little further' (Jazzmania BE).

As a prolific and multi-award winning bandleader, his writing is inspired by the uniquely creative and diverse voices of the musicians he works with - always with human connection and communication as their guiding principle. His compositions, primarily influenced by black American music, unite a powerful instrumental command with an originality and clarity of musical vision that has been described as ‘exquisitely subtle’ (All About Jazz) and ‘startlingly vivid and mature’ (Marlbank).

Ernesto Simpson (drums):

Ernesto is a multiple grammy nominated world class drummer and musician of international acclaim. His experience spans over thirty years of international performing, recording, touring, teaching and session music playing alongside some of the greatest names in the industry.

Starting out with Jazz royalty Dizzy Gilespie at the start of his musical career in Havana, Cuba to Michel Legrand, Carmen McRae, Paquitto D' Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Ray Baretto, Mark Murphy, Chucho Valldes, Michael Brekker, Herbie Hancock, Mike Stern, Richard Bona, Rodrigues Brothers, Manuel Valera, Yosvany Terry, Larry Coryell, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Kyle Eastwood, Omar Sosa, Hugh Masakela to name but a few. Ernesto is a regular special guest of the NDR big band. His playing has also graced original motion picture scores to include 'Random Hearts' (1999) starring Harisson Ford, and 'For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story' (2007) where he composed, performed and played a cameo alongside Andy Garcia. Ernesto has lived in Havana, Bogota, Miami, New York, London and Athens. Sharing in his passion for all music wherever he goes and further enhancing his skills by always interacting with the local music scene. He now divides his time between Europe and the US with his wife & manager Kate.

Ferg Ireland is one of London’s most versatile and in demand Bassists.

Having performed and recorded with some of the biggest Artists in the world including Taylor Swift, Sam Smith Jamie Cullum, Gregory Porter and Incognito, US Jazz legends such as Jason Marsalis, Johnny O Neal and Leroy Jones, and is a constant feature of many of the leading UK Jazz artists (Kansas Smittys/Soweto Kinch/Reuben James/Ashley Henry/Empirical/22A/ and many more) "…his playing throughout illustrates why he's so in demand; with a simply awesome if unorthodox technique put in the service of a powerfully individual musical imagination, simultaneously grounding the harmony and sending it into unexpected directions.”-Jazzwise Magazine

He has toured extensively across the world, playing renowned venues and festivals such as Ronnie Scotts, The Jazz Cafe, The Barbican, Kings Place, The Cadogan Hall, Glastonbury Festival, the Royal Albert Hall, North Sea Jazz Festival(NL), Rochester Jazz Festival (USA), Paradiso (Amsterdam), Duc De Lombards(FR) AB Club (Belgium) ,Soundwave Festival (Croatia), Usadba Jazz Festival (Moscow) NeuJazz Festival (Norway) , Sao Paulo Cultural Centre (Brazil) , Blue Note Milan (IT) Olympia (FR), JazznoJazzFestival/Moods (Zurich) Le Spezia Jazz Festival (Italy) and many others.

Host or Publisher The Verdict Jazz Club