Claire Cope

‘Within its VistaVision horizons, there are bejewelled details. . . having given birth prior to completing Every Journey, Cope joins the likes of Laura Jurd and Hedvig Mollestad who have been inspired by maternity, if from very different positions. This is a newer theme for the jazz sensibility and one, surely, to celebrate.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Andy Robson, Jazzwise

"…eight superbly written and played pieces… there are hints here and there of such luminaries as Kenny Wheeler, Michael Brecker and the sublime Maria Schneider. Cope’s unique compositions however, have a distinct lightness of touch, permeated with a host of wonderful ‘tunes’... Every Journey is a brilliant example of a body of work that reaches and perhaps even surpasses the adventurous heights that its creator patently envisaged. Claire Cope is an undoubted talent to keep a close eye on." John Ferguson, UK Jazz News

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‘Within its VistaVision horizons, there are bejewelled details. . . having given birth prior to completing Every Journey, Cope joins the likes of Laura Jurd and Hedvig Mollestad who have been inspired by maternity, if from very different positions. This is a newer theme for the jazz sensibility and one, surely, to celebrate.’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Andy Robson, Jazzwise

"…eight superbly written and played pieces… there are hints here and there of such luminaries as Kenny Wheeler, Michael Brecker and the sublime Maria Schneider. Cope’s unique compositions however, have a distinct lightness of touch, permeated with a host of wonderful ‘tunes’... Every Journey is a brilliant example of a body of work that reaches and perhaps even surpasses the adventurous heights that its creator patently envisaged. Claire Cope is an undoubted talent to keep a close eye on." John Ferguson, UK Jazz News

“ . . . Cope's music is a field of wild flowers emerging in the spring.. Like the work of Pat Metheny's From This Place (Nonesuch Records, 2019), or pianist Brad Mehldau's ambitious Highway Rider (Nonesuch Records, 2010), Cope's Every Journey is an uplifting experience—grand and aspirational, complex but accessible. Music that is as beautiful as music gets. The next step in Claire Cope's journey? Who knows. Strings? Electronics? For now, Claire Cope has gravitas. Every Journey enchants and inspires the spirit.” Dan McCleneghan, All About Jazz

‘From the very first notes, one is swept into its world, and soon, the passion it holds becomes undeniable. It is beautiful. It is vast. It is different. It is, quite simply, essential.’ Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move

‘With a bigger lineup, Cope explores new textures, layering harmonies with sharp, unexpected bursts of melody. There are hints of inspiration from Maria Schneider’s sweeping orchestral jazz, the expansive melodic journeys of the early Pat Metheny Group, and Michael Brecker’s intricate arrangements, but Cope shapes these influences into something distinctly her own.’ Tim Larsen, Jazz Views

A brilliant revelation: British pianist/composer Claire Cope who has formed Ensemble C with exceptionable detail for extended lyricism and colorful orchestrated improvisation. Every Journey stands strongly as Claire’s second Ensemble C album. . . She fully succeeds in pushing aside expectations to envision the endless joys and marvels of her inventive artistry.’ Dan Ouelette, Jazz Intel & Beyond

“. . .a tremendous realization of her vision . . . Every Journey resonates with the sound of an artist who, like any, has absorbed influences and nurtured her own voice. Recorded at Manchester's Low Four Studios in January 2024, Every Journey is a spectacular adventure that seamlessly embeds inspired jazz soloing within sophisticated through-composed structures. . . Cope's music veritably oozes excitement, so much so that one longs for the opportunity to experience her ensemble live to witness the full measure of its impact.” Ron Schepper, Textura

‘With Claire’s incredible layered composition and its driving pulse, her writing really gets inside your head.’  Soweto Kinch, ‘Round Midnight (BBC Radio 3)

“In what has become one of the most anticipated albums of the year in many jazz circles, the expansive 11-piece Manchester-based group Ensemble C, led by acclaimed composer and pianist Claire Cope, has released a brilliant new album . . . this incredible 8-track 2xLP recording spans a wide array of territory musically, from spiritual and meditative moments to rhythmic layered grooves with souring horns and some standout Flora Purim-like vocals from Brigitte Beraha. . . Released as a gatefold 2xLP, Every Journey delivers on all levels and is absolutely one of the best albums of 2025. Highly recommended!” TJ Gorton, Beat Caffeine

‘The eight pieces presented are impressively tight, melodic . . . arrangements featuring Cope's delicate piano work, underpinned by strong bass rhythms and skittering percussion. Overlaid are washes of soaring (largely) wordless vocals, wildly meandering jazz guitar and strident fusillades of sax, trombone and trumpet….such a splendid work.’  David O’Byrne, Outside Left

‘… emotionally charged and dynamic… what dominates is Cope 's compositional work and the way she combines various references (jazz, rock, avant ,Brazilian, song, vocal improvisations, etc.), creating a very interesting amalgam – which leaves a lot of room for appreciation.’  Phontas Troussas, Vinylmine

‘This album contains eight carefully developed compositions by Claire Cope to celebrate great women. She was partially inspired by the Maria Schneider Orchestra. While entertaining us with her Ensemble C ensemble, made up of a group of outstanding UK musicians, they introduce music that embraces contemporary classical and jazz in the same sweet breath.’ Dee Dee McNeil, Making a Scene

“. . .British composer and pianist Claire Cope, who, with her now eleven-person ensemble, creates a superb, large-scale, fresh jazz sound that nevertheless sounds wonderfully delicate and detailed.” Christoph Giese, NRW Jazz

“Pianist, composer, and arranger Clare Cope is really making a name for herself on the British music scene . . . Inspired by women explorers, nurses, aviators, and more, Ms. Cope set out to compose pieces that not only celebrate their achievements but also displays her artistry in creating music that flows, that is episodic, expansive, and richly melodic.” Richard Kamins, Step Tempest

“Every Journey, Claire Cope’s second album with her Ensemble C, is a musical exploration inspired by the British composer’s life story. Five years after her debut, Small World, Cope expands her artistic vision with an expanded lineup of eleven musicians, fusing contemporary jazz and modern classical music with a distinctive compositional voice. Influenced by figures such as Maria Schneider and Pat Metheny, and by the stories of explorers like Kate Marsden and Isabel Godin, Cope weaves a sonic tale of adventure, introspection, and empowerment.” Caravan Jazz

“Cope’s supple, airy melodies, which remind me of Pat Metheny’s work, employ simple building blocks cunningly assembled, and they are supported by her subtle and surprising harmonic sensibility. She beautifully blends the vocalist into the tight-as-a-drum horn section, and her brilliant horn arrangements add a welcome pungency to the compositions both harmonically and rhythmically. On several of the tracks, I found myself anticipating the conclusion, only to discover that we were only halfway through the composition. As it turned out in each case, Cope had more to say and delivered fresh developments that moved the musical expedition forward.” Mel Minter

“Every Journey is a stunning, original album by British composer and pianist Claire Cope and her Ensemble C - a grand gathering of talented individuals performing vocals, trumpet, trombone, tenor sax, guitar, double bass, drums, and more. An extraordinary orchestral tapestry, Every Journey embodies the drive to seek out new horizons and take control of one's direction in life. A vibrant, beautiful, and motivational concert, Every Journey is highly recommended for both personal and public library music collections and also makes an excellent gift.” Midwest Book Review

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