Sultan Stevenson Talks Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2024 Show, Instruments And More

Rising British Jazz pianist Sultan Stevenson has been touring the UK and will perform at Cheltenham Jazz Festival on Friday 3rd May 2024. He kindly sat down with us to tell us more: 

You will be performing at Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2024 on Friday 3rd May 2024. Have you performed at the festival before or attended it as an audience member?

I’ve known about Cheltenham Jazz Festival for quite a while now. I actually first heard about it via my love for Gregory Porter. I remember in my early teens watching videos of him singing. This is actually my 3rd appearing at the festival, very excited about this time though as I’ll be in the Parabola Arts Centre.

You released your debut album ‘Faithful One’ on Whirlwind Recordings in March 2023. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

I tried my best to make an interconnected collection of compositions that explore the relationship between the black Christian church experience and jazz improvisation. These ideas were explored through improvisation and the group polyphony.

Where did you record it and who produced it? 

I actually produced the record myself! It was recorded over the course of two days at James Knight’s studio. James’ is a wonderfully talented engineer who helped bring the sounds I was hearing to fruition.

Who is in your touring band and what do they play? 

 I’ve been playing with Joel Waters and Jacob Gryn for 4 years now. I’m very proud of all we’ve achieved and look up to them both as they are so fun to play with. It’s my hope that we can keep playing together for a long time.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

For me nothing beats the sound of a piano. Of course I love the infinite possibilities of electronic instruments but nothing comes close the sound of a good grand piano.

What music do you enjoy listening to? Do you have any recommendations?

I love gospel music! Right now I’m listening to a lot of Otis Brown III. He has a fab album called ‘The Thought of You’ would highly recommend. 

What was the story/inspiration behind the track ‘Guilty By Association’?

I’ve actually never thought of this nor have I been asked. It’s a tune that probably best sums up my compositional style. I love relatable vamps and hooks. This tune has a very in your face hook and groove to it.

I really love your album cover. Who created/designed it and how did the collaboration with the artist come about?

I love album artwork and think it deserves a lot of thought as it’s the first piece of creative expression that the listener interacts with. ‘Faithful One’ is about connections and relationships so I wanted to explore the relationship that art has with music. I worked with Lottie Mac to create a concept for the artwork. She did an excellent job at painting her expression of the music.

Have you been working on any new material for a new EP or second album release?

Yes! It’s what I’m currently working on. It’s already recorded and the tunes were purposed to be a deeper look into the themes explored on the debut album.

What is your earliest musical memory?

Probably seeing Branford Marsalis with my dad.

In doing some research, I discovered that you create and sell your own bucket hats. What is the story behind this and do you have a particular design/pattern that you use? 

It was a lockdown thing… I couldn’t find any good hats so borrowed a friends sewing machine and decided to teach myself to sew. I make and sell all of my hats and name them after different jazz piano heroes of mine.

What makes Sultan Stevenson happy and what makes you unhappy? 

Simple and easy… calm and peace makes me happy. Chaos makes me unhappy. 

Photo Credit: Supplied By Baxter PR

Sultan Stevenson’s debut album ‘Faithful One’ is out now on Whirlwind Recordings. 

Sultan Stevenson will perform at Cheltenham Jazz Festival on Friday 3rd May 2024 at Parabola Arts Centre at 6.30pm. Tickets are priced from £20 each and go onsale on Wednesday 6th March 2024.

Event Page: https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz/whats-on/2024/sultan-stevenson 

For more information on Sultan Stevenson visit his official website here: https://www.sultanstevenson.co.uk/