theon cross: fyah
Francisco Espregueira
As one of the key players of the London jazz scene, the tubist Theon Cross has been showcasing, over the last few years, his artistic brilliance, participating in essential contemporary jazz projects and being part of Sons Of Kemet, led by the fantastic Shabaka Hutchings. The thriving family network of young London-based musicians who have regularly supported one another in stretching and re-shaping the boundaries of the jazz genre, has another LP composed by one of its references - Fyah, in which Cross makes the tuba his own, mixing together early New Orleans bass line influences as well as the synth soundscapes and rhythms from modern grime and trap. His innovative style brings a new dynamic to the movement as he paves the gap between more traditional jazz styles and dance music.
Theon Cross has numerous additional side-projects that attest his importance on London’s jazz scene, including performing and recording with Sons Of Kemet, Makaya Mcraven or featuring on Gilles Peterson’s compilation album We Out Here. Fyah is Cross’s own project, leading a galactic trio completed by Nubya Garcia (on saxophone) and Moses Boyd (on drums), bringing other musicians of the highest karat to his sessions. After the Aspirations EP, released back in 2015, we can appreciate his first full album. Dropping tomorrow, with a vinyl edition available for pre-orders.