As a performer, producer and composer, Al MacSween’s experiences of working with a staggering range of artists have shaped his unique sound and rich palette of influences, ranging from jazz, pop and electronic music, to Afro-Cuban and West-African music, Indian classical music, Arabic and Afghan music, Turkish Psychedelia, and various forms of folk music.
He has collaborated with numerous acclaimed artists including Cinematic Orchestra, Eddie Chacon, Ruby Turner MBE, American jazz legend Gary Bartz, Syrian qanun master Maya Youseff, British folk legend Jacqui McShee, London Community Gospel Choir, Palestinian jazz singer Reem Kelani, Kurdish vocalist Olcay Bayir and kora player Kadialy Kouyate; and since moving to London has become centrally involved in the city’s emerging “new” jazz scene, working extensively with artists including Nubya Garcia, Sarathy Korwar, Camilla George, Maisha, Balimaya Project, Daniel Casimir, Bex Burch, Ruth Goller, Johanna Burnheart, Danalogue, Chiminyo and many more.
Al began playing the piano at the age of 5 and had formed his first group by the age of 11. At 18 he moved to Leeds Conservatoire to study a Bachelors in jazz piano, where he was also exposed to the city’s thriving dub, electronic music and sound system culture. It was in Leeds that he developed a deep interest in Indian classical improvisation, taking yearly trips to Kolkata to study under renowned musician Prattyush Bannerjee, working with world-renowned Indian classical artists including Aruna Sairam, Shankar Mahadevan, Debashish Bhattacharya, Bikram Ghosh and many more; as well as exceptional British-Indian artists including Soumik Datta, Roopa Panesar, Nicki Wells, Deepa Nair Rasiya, Jesse Bannister and Ranjana Ghatak.
Al has been heavily involved in the UK’s Latin scene, recording and performing with artists including Omar Puente, Yelfris Valdes, Bugalu Foundation, Dayan Carrera and Grupo X, performing at the esteemed Havana Jazz Festival and La Palacia De La Rumba in Cuba, and studying in Havana with legendary Cuban pianist Rodolfo Argudín ‘Perochin’.
Al is musical director for the Turkish / UK collaboration Air Anatolia, working alongside some of the most esteemed musicians in Turkey including Cahit Berkay, Ahmet Güvenç, Okay Temiz, Melike Şahin, Murat Ertel, Derya Yıldırım, Tolgahan Çoğulu, Islandman and Hey! Douglas, along with London jazz stars including Tony Kofi, Yazz Ahmed, Chelsea Carmichael, Tamar Osborn and Jake Long.
Al is founder of the award-winning group Kefaya alongside drummer Joost Hendrickx and guitarist Giuliano Modarelli, who recently collaborated on a new album with renowned Afghan folk singer Elaha Soroor, as well as founding the bands Flock, Uniri, London Odense Ensemble and Sonic Union; and has performed for world-renowned venues, music festivals, TV and radio stations across Europe, Asia, North, Central & South America and Australasia.
