2016 has been a big year for London alto saxophonist Tom Harrison, with a major tour, high praise from Jazzwise and Timeout, and an appearance on BBC TV. Lyte Records is delighted to announce the signing of his second album, Unfolding In Tempo, due for release October 14th. It features the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn and was recorded in live at Pizza Express, London, and The Everyman, Cheltenham, last February. The Cardiff born rising star, who was mentored by ex-Jazz Messenger Jean Toussaint, has formed an all-star cast that features UK vocal icon Cleveland Watkiss, pianist and Steinway artist Robert Mitchell, in-demand young bassist Daniel Casimir and regular collaborator David Lyttle on drums, a recent MOBO Award nominee.

"Like all jazz musicians I grew up listening to Ellington. In preparing for this project, I spent a long time studying as much of his music as possible. It's very intimidating to try to develop music that already has such a strong history and identity. I haven’t tried to reinvent the music, I’m trying to capture the feeling behind Duke's songs, what they’re about, what they mean to me, and build a performance on that."

Unfolding In Tempo is out October 14th.