Sons of Kemet

Led by saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer Shabaka Hutchings, Oren Marshall on tuba, and the duo of Seb Rochford and Tom Skinner on percussion and drums, the project started in the spring 2011. Their first concert was very well-received by an audience of jazz enthusiasts at Charlie Wright's International Bar in London. The lineup later shifted as drummer Eddie Hick temporarily replaced Rochford, while Theon Cross (Brass Mask) assumed the tuba chair. Sons of Kemet's wide-ranging sound was developed with practice and research largely inspired by Hutchings' drive and passion for knowledge; his playing across the South London musical and genre spectrum, and his work with musicians from across the African continent. He was born in London and spent the majority of his childhood growing up in Barbados, where he studied the clarinet and played in a variety of calypso and reggae bands. On his return to the U.K, he studied at the Guildhall School of Music. It was during this period that he found he was just as comfortable playing free jazz as he was playing swing. After a while, he decided he'd like to develop his individuality by turning to his roots and giving his music a Caribbean twist. Subsequently, he moved back to Barbados, where he studied alongside ethnomusicologists who specialized in Caribbean music. Hutchings has mentioned that during this time he picked up major influences from jazz artists Count Ossie and Cedric Im Brooks.

From 🇬🇧 United Kingdom