The Cinematic Orchestra

Aptly named, the Cinematic Orchestra’s blend of jazz and electronica defies neat classification. The best way to describe them would be to say that they live up to the literal definition of their name. Their music involves a live band of skilled musicians improvising alongside a turntablist and electronic elements provided by group leader, Jason Swinscoe. And they sound just like the soundtrack to a film; a film you wish you were able to see.

Inspired by the likes of Spaghetti-western composer Ennio Morricone, the Cinematic Orchestra’s first release Motion came in 1999. After Remixes 1998-2000, a collection of re-workings by and for the group, the Cinematic Orchestra’s third release, Every Day, added guest vocalists, including Fontella Bass, who brought a new and loose influence to their sound. In 2003 the Cinematic Orchestra were at their most, well, cinematic, when they produced the soundtrack album for the re-release of Dziga Vertov’s silent documentary, Man with a Movie Camera.

Their work will be familiar to more than just their fans as it has also been used to accompany numerous TV shows, ads, and films. Their song To Build a Home, from 2007’s album Ma Fleur, featured on American shows like Grey’s Anatomy and One Tree Hill, while their track All Things to All Men closed the UK movie Kidulthood. The Cinematic Orchestra have taken their captivating live show to audiences all over the world, and in 2008 they released an album which captured one of their most memorable shows to date, Live at the Royal Albert Hall.

Their exclusive performance at Mostly Jazz is sure to be equally impressive. The Cinematic Orchestra’s open-mindedness towards music is what Mostly Jazz is all about.

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