Mark Lockheart on Dreamers and musical influences

Photo by Dave Stapleton

Following the recent announcement of his forthcoming Dreamers album on Edition Records, (due for release in January 2022) we’re excited to welcome saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Mark Lockheart to NQ Jazz with his new quartet project. The line-up features Elliot Galvin on keys/synths, Tom Herbert on electric bass, and Dave Smith on drums. Dreamers will perform a lunchtime set at The Stoller Hall before an evening gig at The Yard. Find out more and pick up tickets here. We spoke to Mark a few months ago to ask what he was looking forward to about the return of live music, and who has had a significant influence upon his music.

Q. What are you most looking forward to about the return of live music?

Being in front of a live audience getting that special energy you get from real people appreciating your music. It's going to be particularly exciting to see how an audience reacts to my new band and the new music we will be playing, as in many ways you don’t discover fully what the music is until you perform it live.

Q. What can audiences expect from your NQ Jazz performances?

I’d like to think we can share a musical journey with them and take them to various musically exotic places. This new music is quite rich and varied sonically so I'm hoping it conjures up different atmospheres and imagery. I also love surprises in music so I’m really hoping that what were surprises [to me] when I composed this music are surprises to an audience too.

Q. What has kept you busy during the last 12 months?

Recovering from a very nasty reaction to Covid and recording and mixing our first album (entitled Dreamers) with this group. I’ve also been composing for a new semi-orchestral project, practising and doing far too many lessons to students on zoom.

Q. Has your musical perspective or perception of the industry changed over the past year?

I’m not sure my perspective has changed that much but I have been quite worried about what sort of industry we will have left after Covid. I think the really positive thing though is that musicians are still creating wonderful music despite the challenges and this music will be heard somehow, I feel sure about that!

Q. Who has had a significant influence on your music?

I’m constantly being influenced by things and it changes from day to day. I’ve always listened to a wide range of music and this all feeds into my playing and writing but when I was younger I was obsessed (actually I still am!) with Wayne Shorter, Gil Evans, Burt Bacharach, Duke Ellington, Stravinsky, The Beatles and Steely Dan etc. etc..

Q. Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform when live music returns?

I’m looking forward most to seeing my friends perform live, amazing artists like Huw Warren, Django Bates, Nikki Iles, Norma Winstone etc. who all have concerts coming up.