News
Melodic Collective
New album out now!
Guitar-Led Quintet Of Master Musicians To Release Enthralling New Work.
Perdido Music is proud to present 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.
For more information, please contact Dynamic
Agency: +44(0)7769554247/ rupert@dynamicagency.co.uk /http://dynamicagency.co.uk
Chris Allard & Ross Stanley: Waltz For Libby single release
The second of our two singles Waltz For Libby is out now 24th June (ahead of the release of the album on 8th July) – and is available now on all platforms.
Chris Allard & Ross Stanley single release 10th June
our version of Fellini’s Waltz by Enrico Pieranunzi – available now on all platforms.
Chris Allard & Ross Stanley album Tortugas to be released 08th July
New piano/guitar duo album to be released on Perdido records – more on this very soon…

Roth Academy Guitar Masterclasses
Very pleased to return to the amazing Roth Academy – in some extremely prestigious company – to do a series of 6 online guitar classes over November/early December
Ocean Mirage video
My composition ‘Ocean Mirage’ from the brand new Secret Sessions album ‘Hoop’ video now on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L37wRq-kFbg
It features a fantastic saxophone solo by the one and only Paul Booth, and the monstrous playing of:
Tom Walsh (Tpt), Nichol Thomson (Tbn), Laurence Cottle (Bass), Ian Thomas (Dms)
Secret Sessions ‘Hoop’ another nice review!
https://player.jazzed.com/gb/read/46280
Secret Sessions ‘Hoop’ review
Very pleased that Hoop has got this nice review:
https://lance-bebopspokenhere.blogspot.com/2021/10/album-review-secret-sessions-hoop.html
Secret Sessions – Hoop on Jazz FM
My tune ‘Ocean Mirage’ from the just released Secret Sessions album ‘Hoop’ will be a featured track on Jazz FM’s Dinner Jazz next week – the track will be played every evening (Mon – Friday 7pm).
https://planetradio.co.uk/jazz-fm/shows/dinner-jazz-with-mark-walker/
Ocean Mirage worldwide release on Ubuntu Music
Ahead of the release of the album Secret Sessions: Hoop on Ubuntu Music this autumn, the single of my track Ocean Mirage is released worldwide – here is sampling link to the track:
More about the album here: