Sophie Stockham and Strings
When the lock down hit in 2020 Sophie decided to study the art of string arranging and composition with the well known film and TV composer/arranger – Andrew Morgan. Sophie’s debut album ‘Ria’ was born during this time. It is an original and innovative new project of crossover music for sax and string quintet. The compositions are inspired by life’s cycles, experiences of being a woman in society and the beauty of our oceans and rivers. Sophie’s influences include; Bjork, Stan Getz, Mary Lou Williams and Gorecki.
‘Ria’ album reviews:
‘We live in a time when almost everything has already been said. Again and again there are artists who are looking for something new. They try to find new expressions, phrases…. An example of this is this album. Sophie Stockham has really succeeded in creating a unique work that is second to none. – Jazz.de
‘Achingly beautiful’ – Ian Mann – Jazz man reviews
‘Her creativity, dedication and passion always shine through’ – William Goodchild- award winning composer and conductor.
Dakhla Brass
‘Dakhla – here is one of the bands doing great things right now! Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla… is well worth picking up’ Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2
‘Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla, really is a blazing triumph and puts their name right up there with the best of them in this genre’ Simon Redly, Blues and Soul magazine
‘A powerhouse. Talent, instinct and creativity make them a real force to be reckoned with.’ Sound on Sound
‘Dakhla are an important part of the wave of modern groups that draw on the brass band tradition in some way. They are all directed towards a very personal sound that is both fully uplifting and hard hitting’ Kevin Le Gendre, Jazz wise
In 2019 Dakhla Brass arranged their music for the Bristol Symphony Orchestra. Sophie arranged two pieces for this concert. Insomnia Somnia and The Last Host. Please follow band camp link to hear.
Starlings
‘Four of Bristol’s most highly respected instrumentalists‘ Bristol 24/7
Starlings are a four piece instrumental funk, jazz and latin band made up of four seasoned instrumentalists from Bristol who formed in the Autumn of 2018. With Ruth Hammond (Brass Junkies, Hopkins – Hammond Trio) on keys, Sophie Stockham (Dakhla Brass, Sefrial) on saxaphone, Lisa Cherian (Dockside Latin Orchestra, Balia La Cumbia) on percussion and Emma Holbrook (Athea, World Government) on drums. Starling draw from both the past as well as present featuring tracks from artists such as Lettuce, Soulive, Maceo Parker, Harry Belafonte, Jimmy McGriff, Louis Jordan and The Meters. Their first EP was released in 2023.
Sefrial
“Sefrial are sugar-gold-diamond-encrusted magic” BBC Introducing
With influences as diverse as John Zorn, Medeski Martin and Wood, and Tin Hat, Sefrial is the brain-child of rising star Sophie Stockham.
A saxophone-heavy front line featuring the energy and lyricism of Sophie’s alto, complemented by the unmistakeable sound and brilliance of Jake McMurchie on tenor, groove and invention is provided by the chief composer Matt Brown on drums, under-pinned by the warm sound of Greg Cordez on bass. The band is completed by the distinctive Joe Wilkins on guitar, who blends the blues and energy of Jimi Hendrix with the subtlety of Bill Frisell or Marc Ribot.
Expect distinctive original compositions that owe as much to alt-rock and americana as jazz.
Orphic
A great band, playing some of my all-time favourite music with real panache Mainly Jazz In Bristol
An exciting new acoustic jazz quartet featuring members of Dakhla Brass, Get The Blessing, and We Are Leif with Sophie Stockham on Tenor Sax, Pete Judge on Flugelhorn, Chris Jones on Double Bass and Matt Brown on Drums. This chord-less quartet will be exploring some of their favourite compositions by Thelonious Monk, Don Cherry, Johnny Dyani, Joshua Redman, Dewey Redman and more.