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Hannah Horton, official Selmer artist, saxophonist, composer and founder of the award winning J Steps releases her much anticipated 4th album Stories On The Wind today showcasing her remarkable skills not only as a saxophonist but as an inspired storyteller.
An exceptional collection of personal stories beautifully shared through her emotive performances on both the tenor and baritone saxophones, Stories On The Wind clearly demonstrates why Hannah is consistently referred to as a rising star, and some may say after this album, her star has now risen.
Known for her love of countryside, open space and bike rides, it is of no surprise that Hannah recorded this album at Red Kite Studio in Wales. A studio set on a hillside with an environment designed for creativity and inspiration, Hannah took full advantage of the setting clearly evidenced throughout the recording, not just through the production, but by the captivating energy captured in each track.
A stunning line up of musicians, Hannah worked closely with her go to musicians and the chemistry is palpable, but it is very clear who is at the forefront of every element of this album. Hannah has always been lauded for her deeply personal storytelling but with this album she has delved even deeper into her experiences and created rich soundscapes that connect with us all. It is of no surprise that award winning legend Maxine Gordon not only champions Hannah but has written the liner notes. She tells us that ‘when he (Dexter Gordon) encountered a musician he had never heard before, anywhere in the world we travelled, he would listen, quietly, with his eyes closed. Then he would turn to me and say, “Thats the real sound. Real music. A real musician.” And then he would smile and nod his head to the music. That was my experience when I first heard Hannah Horton ‘. With sold out performances and rave reviews across the UK, Maxine is not alone. Audiences connect to Hannah’s work, to her artistry – and her groove!
Through nine tracks, Hannah takes us on an exhilarating journey exploring a range of topics from the innocence of a photo from her childhood (‘Chasing Daisies’) to Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring (‘The Rite’) and nothing is off the table for exploration. A particular stand out track for me is the stunning ‘Remembering Mr Gone’ Hannah’s homage to Wayne Shorter. An exquisitely elegant track, with simple instrumentation of baritone and piano. Hannah explains ‘This piece is shaped by the sound world I have always associated with him, particularly the colour and resonance of major seventh chords. While a full quartet version was recorded, an unplanned moment in the studio led to something more intimate. “One morning, instinct took over and we captured a stripped-back take, just baritone saxophone and piano, no rehearsal, no headphones, early in the day. When the final notes faded, there were tears in the control room, including my own’.
‘Whisper’, released as the first single from the album, is a beautifully haunting thank you to her partner Nick, who also shot the album cover. Hannah went onto release two further singles ‘Peace Speak’, a completely contrasting groove filled piece that calls for ‘compassion, a wish for more care, patience, and empathy in the world’ and ‘The Fortune Teller’ an energetic and joyful track that you can’t help but smile along with. All three singles have had significant radio play and critical acclaim and bodes well for the release of the full album.
In a very full jazz landscape of great saxophonists, it can be hard to stand out and be heard and to avoid those all to common comparisons. But Hannah stands tall and has created her own unique space and shines with authenticity. Groove is never far away and the depth of emotion and sound she produces from her baritone, in particular, is something to behold. In a world that is at times losing it’s grip on reality and with the many conversations about AI, the truthfulness and purity of Hannah’s artistry is much needed. Highly recommend.
Track Listing:
- Out Of The Shadows 2. Chasing Daisies 3. Peace Speak 4. Whisper 5. Only The Wind Knows 6. Your Rite 7. The Fortune Teller 8. Alone 9. Remembering Mr Gone
Line-Up:
Hannah Horton – tenor and baritone saxophones,Sam Leak – piano / organ, Steve Taylor – drums / percussion, Rob Statham – electric bass, Martin Levan – sound engineer / co producer
Liner notes by Maxine Gordon, Martin Levan and Hannah Horton.
Photos by Nick Sleep
Stories On The Wind releases May 22, 2026 click here to purchase
Label: Swinging Cat Records
Format: CD, Vinyl and Streaming
Last modified: May 22, 2026
