John Warren - Following On

Second CD by internationally acclaimed composer, John Warren, to feature his all-star N-Octet (with Gwilym Simcock, Gerard Presencer, Mark Nightingale, Stan Sulzmann and Jim Hart). Following On is the 2nd of John Warren's N-Octet albums to be released by Fuzzy Moon Records. Mostly known for his unique and challenging big band writing (performed by many of Europe's leading big bands and radio orchestras) and his long running collaboration with saxophonist John Surman (culminating in The Brass Project recording for ECM) John Warren and Fuzzy Moon Records now wanted to document John's small band music, written over the last forty years. As with his first N-Octet album (Finally Beginning released early 2009), Following On features an exciting and varied mix of John's compositions and arrangements performed by an all star British 9-piece, comprising Gwilym Simcock, Gerard Presencer, Martin Shaw, Mark Nightingale, Julian Siegel, Stan Sulzmann, Christian Brewer, Jim Hart, Phil Donkin and James Maddren.Despite the striking nature of individual contributions, this is unmistakably Warren's album, his great strength being his ability to produce the art that conceals art, all his pieces imbued with the ease and naturalness that spring from unruffled musical assurance. Chris Parker: The Vortex Website Warren's writing is as fine as anybody's in the business. Mike Medwin : All About Jazz..an insider's favourite since the 1970s John Fordham: The Guardian