Empirical (band)

Empirical is a British jazz group, formed in 2007.[1] Critic Brian Morton described the band in 2022 as "one of the great British contributions to European jazz".[1]

Empirical was formed partly by students at the Trinity College of Music in London.[2][3] The original line-up was trumpeter Jay Phelps, alto saxophonist Nathaniel Facey, pianist Kit Downes, bassist Neil Charles and drummer Shaney Forbes.[2] Their eponymous first album came in 2007 and was produced by Courtney Pine, who also played on the recording.[2] On the back of the release, the band toured extensively in Europe.[2]

Bassist Tom Farmer replaced Charles in 2007 and George Fogel and Freddy Gravita replaced Downes and Phelps for concert performances in 2009.[4] Saxophonist Julian Seigel was present for their second album, Out 'n' In.[2] It was a homage to Eric Dolphy's Out to Lunch! album; most of the compositions were originals.[2][5] The subsequent Elements of Truth was recorded for Naim Records; vibraphonist Lewis Wright replaced Seigel and most of the compositions were written by Farmer.[2][5] The same quartet later recorded Tabula Rasa and Connection, as well as two EPs.[2] Connection was their fifth release and their first on Cuneiform Records.[6] It was recorded in 2015.[7] A reviewer for Cadence concluded that: "This is a band who knows how to maintain interest over a disc with variety and top notch playing."[6] Adding pianist Jason Rebello and tenor saxophonist Alex Hitchcock on some tracks, Empirical recorded Wonder Is the Beginning for Whirlwind Recordings in 2022.[2]

Wright left Empirical in 2024.[8] Two years later, Whirlwind released Like Lambs: To the Slaughter, with the surviving trio augmented by pianist Ivo Neame and guitarist David Preston.[8]

Awards

  • 2008 Parliamentary Jazz Awards – best ensemble[9]
  • 2009 Shaney Forbes – Worshipful Company of Musicians Young jazz musician award[10]
  • 2010 MOBO awards – best jazz act[11]
  • 2010 Nathaniel Facey – Worshipful Company of Musicians Young jazz musician award[10]
  • 2011 Lewis Wright – Worshipful Company of Musicians Young jazz musician award[10]
  • 2016 Parliamentary Jazz Awards – best ensemble[9]

Discography

Year recorded Year released Title Label Notes
2007 Empirical Destin-E Most tracks Jay Phelps (trumpet, vocals), Nathaniel Facey (alto sax, vocals), Kit Downes (piano), Neil Charles (bass), Shaney Forbes (drums, percussion); some tracks Dennis Rollins (trombone), Courtney Pine (bass clarinet) added
2009 Out 'n' In Naim Julian Seigel (tenor sax, bass clarinet), Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Tom Farmer (bass), Shaney Forbes (drums)
2011 Elements of Truth Naim Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Lewis Wright (vibraphone), Tom Farmer (bass), Shaney Forbes (drums)
2013 Tabula Rasa Naim Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Lewis Wright (vibraphone), Tom Farmer (bass), Shaney Forbes (drums); seven tracks add the Benyounes String Quartet (Zara Benyounes and Emily Holland (violin), Sara Roberts (viola), Kim Vaughan (cello)[12]
2015 2016 Connection Cuneiform Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Lewis Wright (vibraphone), Tom Farmer (bass), Shaney Forbes (drums)[13]
2017 2018 Indifference Culture Empirical Music Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Lewis Wright (vibraphone), Tom Farmer (bass), Shaney Forbes (drums); EP[14][15]
2017 2019 Distraction Tactics Empirical Music Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Lewis Wright (vibraphone), Tom Farmer (bass), Shaney Forbes (drums); EP[15][16]
2021 2022 Like Lambs (Self-released) Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Lewis Wright (vibraphone), Tom Farmer (bass), Shaney Forbes (drums); EP[17]
2022 2024 Wonder Is the Beginning Whirlwind Most tracks quintet, with Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Lewis Wright (vibraphone), Jason Rebello (piano), Tom Farmer (bass), Shaney Forbes (drums); some tracks sextet, with Alex Hitchcock (tenor sax) added; other tracks with different combinations[18]
2026 Like Lambs: To the Slaughter Whirlwind Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Ivo Neame (piano), David Preston (guitar), Tom Farmer (bass), Shaney Forbes (drums)[8]

References

  1. 1 2 Morton, Brian (July 2022). "Empirical: Having a Dialogue with History". DownBeat. Vol. 89, no. 7. p. 42.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Collar, Matt. "Empirical Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  3. ↑ "Empirical". JazzTimes. 2 December 2008.
  4. ↑ Le Gendre, Kevin (October 2009). "Empirical: Take It Out". Jazzwise. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  5. 1 2 Margasak, Peter (May 2012). "British Invasion Renewed". DownBeat. Vol. 79, no. 5. p. 53.
  6. 1 2 Iannapollo, Robert (January–March 2017). "New Issues". Cadence. Vol. 43, no. 1. pp. 134–135.
  7. ↑ Rusch, Robert (July–September 2016). "Papatamus". Cadence. Vol. 42, no. 3. p. 99.
  8. 1 2 3 Harris, Selwyn (July 2026). "Empirical: Like Lambs: To the Slaughter". Jazzwise. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  9. 1 2 "Parliamentary Jazz Awards". All Party Parliamentary Jazz Group. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  10. 1 2 3 "Musicians' Company Tina May Jazz Award". The Musicians' Company. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  11. ↑ "Mobo 2010". Mobo. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  12. ↑ Bentley, Alison (8 September 2013). "Empirical – 'Tabula Rasa'". ukjazznews. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  13. ↑ "Connection". Bandcamp. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  14. ↑ "Indifference Culture EP". empiricalmusic.com. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Empirical Get Set for Distraction Tactics EP Launch at Ronnie's – Exclusive Live Video". Jazzwise. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  16. ↑ "Indifference Culture EP". empiricalmusic.com. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  17. ↑ "Like Lambs EP". empiricalmusic.com. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  18. ↑ "Wonder Is the Beginning". Bandcamp. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
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