DEDICATED TO her Nigerian lineage saxophonist, composer, bandleader and innovator Camilla George makes a stunning return with her third album, ‘Ibio-Ibio’.
A rich, cultural journey dedicated to her Ibibio tribe of south eastern coastal Nigeria, ‘Ibio-Ibio’ is out later this year.
The first single to be released from the album is ‘Abasi Isang’, out today featuring Sheila Maurice-Grey and Rosie Turton.
The track is an uptempo feast of stunning jazz brass and horns, with polythrymic drums, guitar and keys, with Camilla’s sax flying effortlessly between lush afrobeat and jazz melodies.
Its infectious, yet earthy groove and energy is a sonic libation to ‘Abasi Isang’, aka the ‘God of Earth’
The album is a heady mix of afrobeat, hip hop and jazz co-produced by George.
Across eight tracks, George’s virtuosic alto saxophone performance collaborates with a stellar line-up of some of the hottest players in London’s jazz scene including Daniel Casimir (bass), Shirley Tetteh (guitar), Winston Clifford (drums), Sheila Maurice-Grey (trumpet), Rosie Turton (trombone), Renato Paris (vocals), Sarah Tandy (keys), plus Senegalese kora player Kadialy Kouyate, acclaimed US drummer Daru Jones, and Birmingham’s finest MC Sanity.
George said: “This album is a celebration of roots, creation and community. The Ibibio people, related to the Anang are the most ancient settlers in Nigeria.
“They stand for community and togetherness – something that in these increasingly strange times, gives me guidance, hope and comfort.
“I have dedicated ‘Ibio- Ibio’ to the Ibibio people and celebrate our creation and beliefs. ‘Ibio-Ibio’ is a nickname for the Ibibio people, meaning brief/ short, which is a reference to our quick and direct way of doing things and not our height.”
George has carved out her own unique identity in the vibrant London scene, with her strong cultural roots and love of fusing African and Western Music.
She has studied with several jazz greats including sax giant Jean Toussaint.
Following her critically acclaimed debut album ‘Isang’ (pronounced E-Sang which means ‘journey’ in Ibibio) in 2014 and much lauded follow up ‘The People Could Fly’ in 2018, George has established a sound that is a hypnotising blend of Afrofuturism, hip hop and jazz, with a politically minded subtext that has a powerful connection to her Nigerian identity, lineage and heritage, reflecting African history, culture and slavery.
With more singles to follow ahead of the album’s release, Camilla George will lead an album launch for ‘Ibio-Ibio’ with special guests at London’s Jazz Café on November 16.
Ahead of that, Camilla has been touring Ireland, with more dates across the UK and Europe across summer, from Ealing Jazz Festival, We Out Here, to Blue Note Milan and supporting Femi Kuti in Belgium.
‘Ibio-Ibio’ will be released on September 30 on digital, CD and vinyl and available to pre-order now here.
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