After they launched their debut album "River Of Light" in autumn 2023 for Gondwana Records, Leeds spiritual jazz ensemble Ancient Infinity Orchestra have been on an incredible journey these last twelve months, from local jazz scene heroes to international artists. At the end of 2023, they recorded a session for Jamie Cullium's BBC Radio 2 jazz show (live at the famous Maida Vale studios), were named by Gilles Peterson as one of his "tips for 2024" and their debut album popped up on many "Best Albums Of 2023" lists worldwide. In 2024, they appeared at jazz venues and festivals in the UK and beyond including the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland (established in 1976 and one of Europe's biggest jazz festivals) as well as Gilles Peterson's ever popular We Out Here Festival.
Almost one year on from the release of their debut album and the sold-out home city album launch at Brudenell Social Club in December 2023, they return to the venue for one of their final live shows of 2024. The date is Thursday 31st October and once again, it will be a seated show.
Ancient Infinity Orchestra is the 14-member jazz ensemble led by double-bassist and composer Ozzy Moysey which is based in Leeds in the North of England – home to one of the most innovative and community-based jazz scenes in the UK. The rotating line-up includes drums, two bassists, keyboards, harp, violin, cello, two tenors, alto, oboe, flute and percussion. Formed in 2018, they've built up a strong following in the city with their exciting live shows.
Their Gondwana Records debut ‘River of Light’ came out in November 2023 and drinks deep from the well of spiritual jazz. The music is especially inspired by the soulful sounds of Pharoah Sanders, Alice and John Coltrane – all of whom are mentioned in the brilliant track ‘Pharoah Sings’ – but also channels a certain Northern sensibility that can be heard in the music of Matthew Halsall or Alabaster de Plume. Melodic, warm and honest, this is music that is happy to wear its heart on its sleeve.
This is also communal music made by friends, which offers a celebration of togetherness and of music-making. It’s confidently deep music, moving and meditative, and Ozzy draws on philosophy and nature as well as musical inspirations to foster a focus on giving and sharing beautiful things with one another and with the listener.
To show this communal spirit of the music, Ozzy explains how the album was recorded:
“It was a joyous three days of recording together with the Leeds based band of 14, combined with a similar sized choir of friends from Brighton joining us. Seeing them meet for the first time and witnessing their incredible dedication and passion for music together, there was such a wholesome atmosphere that was so fun to be a part of. Members of the choir cooked for over 30 people each day, descending, each morning, on mass, to the studio and melting together in the heat of the height of summer. Between tracks, the band jammed in the corridors, sat in the sun and laughed a lot. The atmosphere of all these people meeting in the heat of summer, eating, laughing and creating something together - really shines through on these recordings.”
It's 10 months since their last Leeds show and it might be a long time before the next one (a second album possibly being released in summer 2025), so if you want to catch them live and experience that special vibe of an Ancient Infinity Orchestra concert, book those tickets asap. Last time sold out and with a limited capacity seated show again (just 200), it could do once again.
