Landing Ground by Laura Jurd

Debut album by Laura Jurd, released November 2012

★★★★ The Guardian - review by John Fordham

"Polar Bear's Mark Lockheart, in the liner notes for British student trumpeter/composer Laura Jurd's Landing Ground, calls it "a stunning debut by anyone's standards, but coming from a 21-year-old musician it's quite miraculous". Lockheart's no pushover, and he isn't exaggerating – Jurd stands out even from the UK jazz conservatoires' well-schooled and adventurous current crop. Landing Ground, which combines her jazz group and the Ligeti String Quartet, has a markedly through-composed and contemporary-classical feel – but the leader on trumpet, her fellow Trinity College student Elliot Galvin on piano (the inspirational Liam Noble is his teacher) and cellist Ben Davis all supply succinct and original improvisation. Moreover, Jurd's striking themes suggest English, Spanish and Scottish folk melodies, and (on the beautiful Happy Sad Song) something of the wry lyricism of Kenny Wheeler. The evocative Flight Music joins melodic and rhythmic ideas without losing its sense of tranquillity, Tales of the Old Country has a simmering, Nino Rota-like lilt, and Jurd's huge promise as a trumpet improviser is showcased in a series of short duets – long-toned and graceful with the cello, free-jazzy with the piano, vivaciously dancing with the drums."

Laura Jurd is a trumpet player and composer based in London, UK.

For music by Laura's band 'Dinosaur' visit: dinosaurband.bandcamp.com

www.laurajurd.com