Taking a dig at former UK prime minister Boris Johnson and the 350 million pounds he promised Britain post-Brexit, Swiss-British sextet Moonmot presents another forward-thinking feat in 350 Million Herring, out on Nov 3 on Enja Records.
Created in late summer 2021 on the British side of the group’s first trip off the island in 18 months, 350 Million Herring was born in Saanenland, Switzerland, during a residency in a mountainous region south of Bern. With their approach rooted in both jazz and democracy, each band member brought new music with them, resulting in 13 eligible pieces and, ultimately, six tracks that form their upcoming release.
These six tracks carefully portray a more matured sound than the group’s 2020 debut Going Down The Well, and a more coherent approach to the band’s common attitude, summarized in a manifesto promising to “only play true things”. The collective sees their music as a blueprint for a more equal and just society. Moonmot truly sees improvised music as an indispensable part of an art scene in a thoroughly democratic society, and while they are aware that democracy cannot be taken for granted, similarly, they believe that such an accomplishment deserves to be defended.
350 Million Herring is the sound of experienced players and improvisers at work, with each composition penned to embrace its own special features. Their unity lies in a creative approach to the group’s source material; Between "Modern Creative" jazz numbers like "The Escape" by Dee Byrne, or concept improvisations like "Another Way" by Cats Roberts, there are eras of jazz history, but MoonMot connects these worlds with ease. Carefully thinking the concept of jazz in the 21st century through to the end, the sextet enriches their pieces with the achievements of recent music history, placing their adventurous musicality front and center.
Text by Arlette Hovinga - That Jazz Girl
arlettehovinga.com
Thanks to: Our families and our partners for their support and patience. Rosmarie Petermann, Edith Mordasini, Famiglia Bottinelli for their help in this production.
www.moonmot.com
Contact:
info@simonpetermann.ch
released November 3, 2023
Dee Byrne - alto saxophone, effects
Simon Petermann - trombone, effects
Cath Roberts - baritone saxophone
Oli Kuster - fender rhodes, effects
Seth Bennett - bass
Johnny Hunter - drums
Recorded at Studio 2 RSI, Lugano Besso, 13-15 September 2021
Recorded by RSI, Lara Persia and Luca Pelli
Mixed by Christoph Utzinger, Oli Kuster, Simon Petermann
Mastered by Christoph Utzinger
Artwork by Nils Braun at Studio Flux Bern
Produced by Simon Petermann
Executive Producer: RSI, Paolo Keller