Valencia-based British composer, guitarist and arranger Will McCarthy has released his latest album, ‘A Kind of Jazz’, a collection of original contemporary jazz compositions inspired by one of the most influential recordings in music history. The album’s title is a respectful play on words inspired by Miles Davis’s legendary masterpiece Kind of Blue, released as a tribute to the jazz icon during the year marking the centenary of his birth. Rather than reinterpreting Davis’s music, A Kind of Jazz presents an entirely original body of work while acknowledging the enduring influence of one of jazz’s greatest innovators.

Composed, arranged and co-produced by Will McCarthy, the album brings together an exceptional international ensemble drawn from Valencia’s thriving jazz scene. The musicians represent five different countries, reflecting both the city’s cosmopolitan musical community and the collaborative spirit at the heart of modern jazz.

Many of the tracks were recorded at a prestigious, state-of-the-art studio in Valencia, providing a world-class recording environment that complements the album’s warm acoustic sound and contemporary production.

Musically, ‘A Kind of Jazz’ moves effortlessly between lyrical melodies, sophisticated harmonies, atmospheric textures and rhythmic influences from around the world. While firmly rooted in the jazz tradition, the album embraces modern European jazz, cinematic composition and subtle world music influences, creating a distinctive and timeless musical landscape.

Speaking about the project, Will McCarthy said:
«Miles Davis changed the way generations of musicians thought about jazz. A Kind of Jazz isn’t an attempt to recreate Kind of Blue—that would be impossible. Instead, it’s my own collection of original compositions inspired by the spirit of musical freedom, space and creativity that Miles gave to the world.»
A Kind of Jazz is now available worldwide via Bandcamp.

About Will McCarthy
Originally from England and based in Valencia, Spain, since 1995, Will McCarthy is a composer, guitarist, arranger and journalist whose work spans jazz, film music and contemporary instrumental composition. Alongside his recording projects, he is also Editor of 24/7 Valencia magazine, where he has spent many years documenting the city’s rich cultural and musical life.

With ‘A Kind of Jazz’, McCarthy celebrates both the enduring legacy of Miles Davis and the remarkable international talent that continues to make Valencia one of Spain’s most vibrant centres for jazz. The album is now available on all streaming services and bandcamp:https://will-mccarthy.bandcamp.com/album/a-kind-of-jazz

Report by  Dominic Hargreaves

Article copyright 24/7 Valencia

‘A Kind of Jazz’

Will McCarthy