Ishmael Ensemble

About Ishmael Ensemble

Our new album Rituals is out now! Over the past 5 years, producer & saxophonist Pete Cunningham’s Ishmael Ensemble has gone from being a humble bedroom recording project to an integral part of the thriving U.K. Jazz scene. The group's debut album “A State Of Flow” saw Cunningham explore an array of sonic scenery from lush cinematic soundscapes to raucous peaks of psychedelia that received high praise from listeners & journalists alike. The group's follow up record 'Visions of Light' saw them further blur the lines between Jazz & Electronic music, taking the listener on an expansive journey in sound whilst flying the flag for their hometown of Bristol. The record went on to be crowned Huey Morgan's "Album of the Year" on BBC 6 Music and saw them perform at The New York Winter Jazz Festival for Gilles Peterson. All of the above has solidified Cunningham's status as an in demand producer & remixer, working with a broad range of artists and labels from techno royalty, Carl Craig to the legendary jazz label, Blue Note Records. “Incredible independent music from Bristol. These guys just get better with every release” Gilles Peterson “A deeply arresting sound from one of our favourite cities, simply beautiful” Mary Anne Hobbs “A synth, sax & strings epic” Contemporary album of the month The Guardian “A band seemingly capable of doing anything, yet remaining fleet footedly themselves throughout.” The Wire