Soulstatejazz

SOULSTATEJAZZ

Soulstatejazz is the live band project run by Tom Ellis.

The first incarnation of the name appeared in 2009 on a solo Minordust netlabel release by Tom, called “The Soulstatejazz Band – Odyn”. It was his first release that swayed more into instrumental and downtempo music, but the name didn’t surface again until he began performing together with Mark Hand at the Freerotation Festival, and The Digbeth Dining Club in Birmingham, UK, around 2018.

When Tom invited Michiel Renger (Tenor Sax) and Dave Dove (Elson) (Ableton/Reaktor) to join in with a performance with Mark Hand, the musical chemistry felt right and a studio session was arranged.

In spring 2019 they spent a few days together recording in the beautiful valleys of Rhayader, Wales, at the Malt Barn Studio. Hours and hours of improvisation were recorded, then taken home by Tom to eventually be turned into the Annwn LP on Banoffee Pies Records.

The band continue to perform regularly at the Freerotation Festival and the Headroom Festival, and will be releasing more music in the future.