Myra Brownbridge | The Voyage Out | October 18, 2024
Myra Brownbridge was drawn to music and creativity from a very young age, whether it was tickling the keys of a piano, singing, or plucking the strings on a guitar. Discovering a dusty old double bass in the corner of her school music department, she found herself delving into the world of Jazz and enveloping herself in the strong sense of community the London jazz scene has to offer.
Putting together a quartet of some of her favorite London musicians (Tom Ollendorff, George Garford and Matthew Holmes) her debut album is a collection of the personal stories, insights and experiences that have shaped her.
‘The Voyage Out’ is set to release on October 18th.
Firmly rooted in the jazz tradition, Brownbridge’s carefully crafted melodic writing draws on folk, upbeat swing, bossa nova, delicate ballads and afro-cuban rhythms to showcase her multifaceted musical identity as well as her quartet’s energetic, interactive approach to improvisation. From Ollendorff’s lush finger-plucked harmony, Brownbridge’s grooving bass lines and intimate folk-tinged vocals, and soaring melodies from Tony Kofi’s alto on a balladic feature, each piece highlights the ensemble’s uniquely personal musicality and modern perspective on the genre.
Named after Virginia Woolf’s first novel, ‘The Voyage Out’, Brownbridge draws parallels between her album and Woolfe’s early writing; the first steps on a long journey towards finding their own voices, absorbing the stories of the art, literature and people around them and pouring their insights into their personal creative expression.
Developing and honing her skills at the Purcell School, Christian McBride’s Jazz House Kids Summer School, Guildhall, Trinity Laban, and JazzDanmark’s Summer Sessions under the tutelage of mentors such as Jakob Bro, Midori Takada, and Billy Hart, the award winning bassist’s career has already seen her perform in London’s most prestigious venues with her own band as well as with British sax legend Tony Kofi, tour across Germany with Zara McFarlane, and play alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra, Tomorrow’s Warriors, NYJO and the Nu Civilisation Orchestra.
Line up
Myra Brownbridge | Double Bass, Vocals, Composition
Tom Ollendorff | Guitar
George Garford | Alto Saxophone
Matthew Holmes | Drums Tony Kofi | Alto Saxophone (Track 4)
Track Listing
The Voyage Out
Weathering the Storm
Entangled
As Dreams Are Made (Feat. Tony Kofi)
Sweeter Than Honey
The Joy of Being
Icarus
PR Quotes
Jazzwise (UK)
“an accomplished writer, well served by her fellow musicians”
Era Jazzu (PL)
“a multi-faceted musical identity and an extremely energetic, interactive approach to jazz improvisation”
Jazz Journal (UK)
“Myra’s tone is lovely. It’s warm, deep and runs beneath the music, grounding the flow but also being present as its own character”
Esensja (PL)
“her double bass – with its exceptionally warm sound – adds subtlety…”
Hilary Seabrook (UK)
“essentially fresh and engaging”
Twisted Soul Mousic (UK)
“an incredibly accomplished debut release… an artist who is fully aware of her story and equipped with every skill imaginable”
Downbeat (US)
“a promising first album, one laden with subtlety and depth”
La Habitacion Del Jazz (ES)
“an artist with an interesting presence whose evolution will have to be followed”
Blue in Green (UK)
“an incredibly accomplished debut release”
Jazz Views (UK)
“her quietly authoritative bass playing that has been a delight throughout”
All About Jazz (US)
“a strong debut.. spirit and intuition”
Rozhlas Jazz (CZ)
“the comfort of a homely cafe, where you can escape from the cold of the street”
The Walkers’ (US)
“a rising star in the UK jazz scene“
Cuttings
