Dean Street Studios

Sebastian writes:

Thanks to both pianist Alex Wilson and saxophonist/ leader Paul Booth, I was invited down to witness the recording sessions of a new big band album. The band were tightly crammed into Dean Street Studios, and were on the second day of recording Paul Booth’s big band project “Bansangu.”

The name of the band comes from a story guitarist José Neto told Paul about Airto Moreira. Airto would compliment his band after a gig in English with the exclamantion BAN (Band) SAN (sounds) GOOOOO! (good). Which seemed like a good name for a band.

The band is packed with top players. In addition to Alex Wilson and Paul Booth, Jason Yarde, Sammy Mayne and Gemma Moore were in the saxes, Rod Youngs on drums, Davide Mantovani on bass, Giorgio Serci on guitar, Steve Fishwick and Ryan Quigley in the trumpets….

The band was indeed sounding good. Dan Redding is producing a video of the session too…

I was pleased to smuggle Mozambican saxophonist, bandleader and festival director Moreira Chonguica, who is on a family visit to London, down into the Dean Street basement to witness the sessions. Moreira has also posted photos of the session on Facebook.

A view of the sessions from Giorgio Serci’s guitar seat