British-born bassist Orlando Le Fleming (b. Birmingham, 1976), moved to the US in 2003 and now lives in Brooklyn. He worked for a number of years in Jane Monheit’s band. One current regular group is the OWL trio with Brit expat saxophonist Will Vinson and Norwegian-born guitarist Lage Lund.

Having issued From Brooklyn With Love in 2010, he is about to record a second album of his own compositions entitled Romantic Funk, with a heavyweight New York group: Ari Hoenig on drums, Seamus Blake (saxes), Frank LoCrasto (keyboards), Greg Tuohey ( guitar). There will also be guests: drummer Lenny Reece and pianist Sullivan Fortner are announced so far. Pete Rende will be recording and mixing the album.

He writes: “The music is heavily influenced by bands such as Weather Report, Sly and the Family Stone, 80’s Miles Davis and great Jazz musicians I have been playing with in the NY scene such as Jeff “Tain’ Watts, Ari Hoenig and Kurt Rosenwinkel. I have been performing and developing the tunes in NY for the last year and now the band is ready to go into the studio.”

He has a Pledge campaign open currently, to help finance the production. Offers include bass tuition, (including a practice techniques session aimed at achieving consistent sound, curently on limited offer) and even an explanation of the rules of cricket in a Brooklyn pub. LINK TO PLEDGE CAMPAIGN.

Sebastian also  interviewed Orlando Le Fleming about his (professional) cricketing past in a feature to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 Jazz Line-Up on August 22nd.

LINK: Website / Orlando Le Fleming. com / @olefleming on Twitter