Hackney Colliery Band

Since their debut album in 2011, Hackney Colliery Band, an East London collective, has established itself in the UK music scene with their blend of brass, reeds, percussion, and electronics. The band has performed at various venues, festivals, and clubs internationally, including a sold-out show at the Scala as part of the London Jazz Festival. Their musical development has led to a more refined sound, reflected in their album ‘Collaborations: Volume One’. This album features new material since their 2016 release ‘Sharpener’.

The band has achieved significant milestones throughout their career. In 2012, they performed a 45-minute set at the London Olympics Closing Ceremony. They have also appeared at the MOBO, Brit, and Mercury Awards. Further achievements include live sessions on BBC Two, BBC Radio 2, and Jazz FM. Their music has received worldwide airplay. Hackney Colliery Band has collaborated with artists such as Amy Winehouse and Madness. They have sold out venues across London, including KOKO and The Forum, and completed a European tour. In 2019, to mark their tenth anniversary, the band focused on their jazz roots, leading to the creation of collaborative projects.

Their album ‘Collaborations: Volume One’ features partnerships with figures in jazz and world music, including Mulatu Astatke, James Taylor, Dennis Rollins, Pete Wareham, and Grammy Award-winner Angélique Kidjo. Lead by Steve Pretty, with contributions from Olly Blackman and Luke Christie, the album includes tracks like ‘Mm Mm’ with Angélique Kidjo and the Roundhouse Choir, ‘Snowfire’ with Bugge Wesseltoft, and ‘Ricochet’ with Dennis ‘Funkybone’ Rollins. The band continues to plan for future collaborations, with ‘Volume Two’ in progress, and scheduled live performances in 2019, including an album launch at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.