Peter Horsfall | Nighthawks

Written by Editor| November 24, 2017| New Releases Page

Singer/songwriter and trumpeter Peter Horsfall releases his debut album Nighthawks this autumn. This cinematic song cycle of nighttime ballads includes five original compositions co-written with Giacomo Smith (‘Nighthawks’, ‘Then I Saw You’, ‘Secretly’, ‘Couldn’t Stop Lovin’ You’ and ‘This is Goodbye’) as well as interpretations of ‘Paradise’ by Barry Harris and ‘Sunset & The Mockingbird’ by Duke Ellington with new lyrics by Horsfall.

The ensemble features a stellar cast of the UK’s most exciting young jazz soloists drawn from Horsfall’s band mates in the renowned Kansas Smitty’s House Band ? saxophonist Giacomo Smith, pianist Joe Webb, Ferg Ireland on double bass and Pedro Segundo on drums. Horsfall sets down his horn for this release, choosing to put his vocals at the front and centre of the project.

“The choice to work with this specific personnel for my solo record was easy – it’s an ensemble of musicians with a refined sensibility for ballad playing. These are four musicians in whom I have total trust.” says Horsfall. “I’ve also been a fan of singer Cecile McLoren Salvant’s visual art for some years now and am overjoyed that she has painted three beautiful watercolours on the theme of Nighthawks to accompany this release, adding a special element to the album artwork”.

“Nighthawks is a love letter to the ballad form. It embraces the twilight, loneliness, and ultimate romance of the nighttime,” says Horsfall. “Edward Hopper’s painting of the same name has always chimed with me. The lonely figures of the nighttime scene; the waiter working until the early hours, the man sat lonesome at the counter. Perhaps it is musicians who are the definitive nighthawks.”

Release Date: 24 November 2017
Format: CD, Digital,
Label APP Records