Phronesis + Dave Maric.

“Undoubtedly a highlight of the London Jazz festival"

- London Jazz News

As co-commission from the EFG London, Cheltenham and Manchester Jazz Festivals; Dave Maric’s Decade Zero unites renowned Scandi-Brit piano trio Phronesis with 8 members of Engines Orchestra, taking the audience on a roller-coaster of emotion.

Combining contemporary classical with jazz and infused with loops, odd times and a mind-bending array of textures Decade Zero has been featured on BBC Radio 3, Mezzo TV and Culture Box. After it’s premieres at the commissioning festival, the piece was awarded funding for further performances.

Phil Meadows.

‘The result is absolutely stunning’

- JazzFM

Lifecycles marked the launch of the Engines Orchestra, with a critically acclaimed album and the premiere of Meadows’ suite of music to a sold-out crowd at the EFG London Jazz Festival.

Further performances include another sell-out, this time at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club; and a headline performance at the Scarborough Jazz Festival.

In 2016 Meadows received a commission to re-orchestrate the project for a 60-piece ensemble combining the Royal Northern Sinfonia with the Jambone Youth Big Band. The project has also been used as a vehicle to develop the creative skillsets of Trinity Laban’s classical and jazz students.

Femi Temowo.

“One of Europe’s finest and most sought after guitarists”

- TimeOut London

Having played with George Benson, Amy Winehouse, The Roots, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Courtney Pine; Femi’s album The Music is the Feeling is out now and features the Engines Orchestra strings, brass and saxes.

Produced by MOBO nominated Temowo and Grammy nominee Troy Millar, the record features an all-star rhythm section from both sides of the Atlantic; including Michael Olatuja and Karl Rasheed Abel (bass) alongside Ernesto Simpson and Millar himself on drums.

Telling Temowo’s heartfelt stories from his Nigerian heritage, The Music is the Feeling has headlines festivals across the UK including Jazz Re:Fest, Love Supreme (Big Top) and the London African Music Festival.

David Ward.

“...the emergence of a very special artist indeed.”
- Q

Canadian based singer-songwriter David Ward paints a tapestry of thought-provoking, cinematic soul. Having spent the last five years between London and Berlin, Ward is back in Vancouver bringing the A-list of jazz-infused-soul to his regular Propeller series. When touring Europe he often teams up with the Engines Orchestra strings and together we have opened up for international superstars Jacob Collier, Lisa Fischer, and Becca Stevens (with the support of London producers Serious.)

Our collaboration goes beyond Wards touring with eO’s Artistic Director Phil Meadows contributing the string arrangements for Jesus Hollywood as part of his album, Violet, Gold + Rose.

Ingrid Jensen.

“An absorbing, mercurial show”

- The Guardian

Commissioned by the Apollo Jazz Network for a sold-out Ronnie Scott’s crowd, the music and influences of Canadian born, NYC based trumpeter Ingrid Jensen has been specially arranged for the Engines Orchestra by eO’s artistic director Phil Meadows.

Having featured heavily as a guest in Maria Schneider’s Jazz Orchestra, alongside recordings with Darcy James Argue and Terri Lyne Carrington; Jensen’s beautifully melodic approach to composition and improvisation has led to international acclaim.

The premiere of this project further emphasised her reputation as one of the worlds finest jazz trumpeters, receiving a four-star review from The Guardian’s John Fordham.