The Industrial Suite Jacky Naylor

• 1 Workshop of The World 12:28
• 2 Wakes Weeks 06:57
• 3 War of Attrition 06:02
• 4 The Last Mill 06:24
• 5 Rebirth 03:30
• Total Runtime 35:21

Info for The Industrial Suite

Jacky describes the project: “The great thing about this commission was that it enabled me to put together a new ensemble, featuring some of my favourite musicians: Tom Syson (Trumpet), Alex Hitchcock (Tenor), Harry Maund (Trombone) Will Sach (Double Bass) and Luca Caruso (Drums). The last year has been very different to previous years, with vastly reduced performance opportunities, but due to generous support from Arts Council England, we were able to rehearse and record this project. In addition, I invited videographer Tom Sankey to film the recording process, and document three pieces from the suite.”

Jacky continues, regarding the music of Industrial Suite: “‘Industrial’ is a suite of music I wrote in response to a commission from Lancaster Jazz Festival. It’s based on the textile mills and factories in the North of England, which are not only a big part of my own family’s history, but the history of many other northern families. The suite consists of five pieces, each with their own narrative and character, ranging from the busy mill-yard and heavy clunky machinery, to workers’ strikes and disputes, via a train ride through the Yorkshire countryside when the mills closed for Wakes Weeks.”

And Jacky shares his thoughts about his label: “Having worked alongside Martin (Hummel) for my trio release with Meraki earlier last year, I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the Ubuntu family. There are so many incredible musicians on the label, and it’s a privilege to release my music alongside them.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes: “Jacky is all about talent, brains and drive. Working with him on Meraki, his trio album, was an absolute pleasure. We’re delighted to continue this productive and fulfilling relationship with Jacky, as a special Ubuntu family member.”

In 2019, Naylor was commissioned by Lancaster Jazz Festival to write a new suite of music. He wanted to write about the wool and textile mills which dominate the place where he grew up and the history of many Northern families. The Industrial Suite was subsequently premiered at the Festival later that year. These five pieces tell the story of industrial growth and decline in the North of England with its profound implications for a future we are still living through.

I: Workshop of The World - The mill town is waking up. Workers are walking through cobbled streets toward the busy mill yard. Heavy, clunky machinery is turned on for another day’s work.

II: Wakes Weeks - The factories are closed and families travel to nearby seaside towns and villages. The opening describes a train ride through expansive countryside, away from the mills.

III: War of Attrition - Tensions between workers and mill owners explode into strikes and riots.

IV: The Last Mill - Abandoned mills still dominate Northern skylines. Now derelict, they are a constant reminder of what’s been lost.

V: Rebirth - Mills and factories are given a new lease of life in the 21st Century. They are converted into vibrant art galleries, restaurants and flats.

Many thanks to Arts Council England for their generous support of this project.

Tom Syson, trumpet
Alex Hitchcock, tenor saxophone
Harrison Maund, trombone
Jacky Naylor, piano
Will Sach, double bass
Luca Caruso, drums

Jacky Naylor
Multi-award winning jazz pianist and composer, Jacky is in high demand nationally as a performer, sideman and improviser.

Having received a scholarship to study at Birmingham Conservatoire in 2012, Jacky graduated in 2016 with First Class Honours degree specialising in Jazz Piano and Composition. He is continuing his studies at The Royal Academy, London with a Master of Music qualification, for which he received a further scholarship.

Aside from study, he was a semi-finalist in BBC Young Jazz Musician 2016 and in 2017 released his debut album for Big Band entitled ‘Rough Boundaries’ recorded and performed with Birmingham Jazz Orchestra. For his work on this album he won the prestigious Dankworth Composition Prize 2017, was featured on Radio 3 and received 4 star reviews from all major UK jazz publications.

He is sought after across the UK as a performer and sideman, notably with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Soweto Kinch and various theatre tours such as ‘Sinatra, Sequins and Swing’, and ‘Sinatra Meets Bublé’.

This album contains no booklet.