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PREMIERE: Emily Jane Roberts - The Persistence of Memory


Introducing Emily Jane Roberts - a young, up-and-coming, London-based jazz guitarist, composer and producer who is releasing her debut single 'The Persistence of Memory', followed by an EP of the same name later this year with her sextet.


Emily Jane Roberts - The Persistence of Memory

A semi-finalist of the BBC Young Jazz Musician Awards and Guildhall School of Music alumni, Emily Jane Robert's debut single is inspired by the sounds surrounding her in London's thriving young jazz scene.


'The Persistence of Memory' nods to Roberts' influences from the UK capital and rhythms from West Africa. Centred around a subtle, swung bembe rhythm, the song begins with sparse keys, to establish Emily's dreamscape. We're soon greeted by a joyful bouncing bassline, with interjections from Emily's guitar, before featured vocalist Alice MC sweeps in with a vocal line that would not sound out of place in an Esperanza Spalding composition. In the first half of the composition, Roberts' role is relatively restrained until the ensemble gives way, setting her the space to create a beautifully crafted solo.


Emily Jane Roberts - Jazz Revelations
Guitarist Emily Jane Roberts

Reflecting on 'The Persistence of Memory', Emily says, "The lyrics of 'The Persistence of Memory' were written during lockdown, and they are about me referring to a [Salvador] Dalí painting; a desolate, strange landscape where time is meaningless and your imagination can provide an escape".




 

You can pre-save Emily Jane Robert's 'The Persistence of Memory' here.


'The Persistence of Memory' Personnel:


Vocals – Alice McCarthy

Flute – Georgie Proctor

Tenor Saxophone – Harry Toulson

Guitar - Emily Roberts

Keys – Sultan Stevenson

Double Bass – Rory Hudson

Drums – Dave Adsett

Synths – Tim Davies


Mixing engineer – Mark Winterburn

Recording engineer – Josh Tyrrell


Keep up-to-date with Emily Jane Roberts via her socials and website:




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