Compassionate Dictatorship
Compassionate Dictatorship
Described as “catching the current wave of Brit Jazz, by Jazzwise Magazine, ’Compassionate Dictatorship’ evolved out of the long standing collaboration between Jez Franks and Tori Freestone, who then joined forces with bassist Jasper Hoiby and more recently, drummer James Maddren. Since their debut album ’Coup d’Etat’ in 2007 they have been touring extensively, honing and developing their sound. They’re now promoting their second album ‘Cash Cow’. The guitar and sax led quartet play original material that draws from a wide and eclectic range of influences from folk to free and contemporary jazz, creating fresh sounds and atmospheric textures within interesting harmonic frameworks and varied meters over bubbling grooves, blending the four distinct voices into one.
“this is a muscular but intelligent band playing immediately accessible, spirited but carefully wrought music” Chris Parker, Jazz Review
“this new band is another vital example of UK musicians embracing and incorporating both free jazz and rock elements into an edgy, risk taking approach to their music” Jazzwise
Jez Franks
Jez took up the guitar age 15 and attended Leeds College of Music acquring the College’s Jazz Guitar Prize. He has played,recorded and toured with a variety of ensembles including F-ire Collective member Tom Arthurs’ ‘Centripede’, Asaf Sirkis’ ‘Inner Noise’, the Koby Israelite Band, ‘Centreline’, Henry Lowther, Loz Speyer’s ‘Timezone’, Gerard Presencer, Rick Astley and ‘Solstice’ alongside Brigitte Beraha, Tori Freestone and John Turville, with recordings for Babel, 33 records and FMR and performances including the Cheltenham, London and Haskovo (Bulgaria) Jazz festivals, a live performance for Jazz on 3 and tours of Portugal, Poland and Austria. He also runs the ‘E17 collective’, a group of jazz musicians set up to promote and develop the hotbed of talented musicians based in Walthamstow, London.
“…a staggering improvisational force” All about Jazz website
“Franks is a fluent but punchy player, supple, long-lined solos streaming from his guitars” Chris Parker
“Jez Franks is an accomplished guitarist, capable of dazzling runs and meaty chord play that at times remind me of Kurt Rosenwinkel”, Tom Barlow, Jazzwise
Tori Freestone
Tori attended the Leeds College Undergraduate and Guildhall Postgraduate jazz courses and was regional finalist of Young Jazz Musician of the Year in ’96. Apart from co-leading ‘Compassionate Dictatorship’ and running her own trio, she has played saxes/flutes/violin with a variety of groups including NYJO, the Creative Jazz Orchestra, country legend Lee Hazlewood, ‘Andy Sheppard, Loop Collective member Rory Simmons’ ‘Fringe Magnetic’, Neil Yates, the Jamil Sheriff Big Band, the Naadia Sheriff Quartet, the Dave Mannington Septet, the E17 Big Band and ‘Solstice’ (alongside Jez Franks, Brigitte Beraha and John Turville), with recordings for the ‘Loop’ and FMR labels and performances including the London, Cork, Cheltenham, Haskovo (Bulgaria) and Manchester Jazz Festivals and Jazz on 3.
“Freestone makes for a very impressive listen…robust tenor work” Jazzwise
“…a pleasingly circumspect but powerful and cogent saxophonist” Chris Parker, Vortex Jazz Review
“Tori Freestone has a warm and open tone, her playing is melodic and innovative. Exploring the full range of the saxophone, Freestone effortlessly switches between fiery and haunting melodies” allaboutjazz.com
Jasper Hoiby
Jasper Hoiby
Jasper was born in Copenhagen and began playing bass aged eighteen in local groups later moving to the UK to study at the Royal Academy of Music. Aside fom leading his own trio ‘Phronesis’ with two albums on the ‘Loop’ label, Jasper works with various projects including Tom Arthurs (A.H.R trio), Jim Hart’s ‘Gemini’, Rory Simmons’ ’Fringe Magnetic’, Julia Biel. and the Mark Lockheart Group. He has also played alongside numerous UK musicians including Gerard Presencer, Seb Rochford, Pete Wareham and Finn Peters. He has recorded on the Babel label, performed at numerous jazz festivals including Copenhagen and Cheltenham and recorded for Jazz on 3.
James Maddren
James Maddren
James was born and brought up in Christ’s Hospital School in Horsham, Sussex. When 11 he started school at Christ’s Hospital and went on to play in several bands and orchestras. He left CH in summer 2005 to study jazz percussion at the Royal Academy of Music in London. James enjoys listening to and playing all kinds of music. He plays with Marc Copland/Stan Sulzmann quartet, Phil Donkin, Gwilym Simcock, Kit Downes Trio, Martin Speake quartet, Phronesis, Jonathan Bratoeff quartet, Tangent, Andrea Vicari quintet, Quentin Collins, Claire Martin and many other musicians and bands across London and the U.K.
