Esscine (pronounced Ess-een) is the musical spirit child of Zimbabwean-Australian Matthew Bell, fusing his talents as a traditional musician and songwriter with his love for soulful electronica. As an artist with varied musical tastes, Esscine incorporates ambient 80’s inspired reverbs with African influenced grooves, making his work an emotive and sensory experience with a consciousness-altering intensity. The sound is all about yin and yang; mixing modern and classic to get the best of both worlds. 

The name 'Esscine' was born out of Bell's experiences discovering the Essene Teachings whilst traveling through France by bike. It was in a 300 year old French farmhouse in the Pyrenees Mountains that his inspiration for pursuing a path of self discovery and greater health through raw, living foods began. Esscine's progressive and provocative tunes are an extension of this journey.

Both his father and grandfather were musicians, and growing up the household piano became the starting point for his lifelong passion. Although he hated sitting through piano lessons as a child, it was when he realised he didn’t have to read music to play music that his creativity was set free. He has fond memories of his father teaching him a jazzy version of “Summertime” on the piano - and the rest is history.

Bell has spent a lifetime studying music and eight years working in other bands and acts as a session musician, supporting artists such as Bon Jovi, Human Nature,  Thirsty Merc, Yo La Tengo, Husky, Grace Woodroofe, Jeremy Gregory, Rachel Claudio, Nina Ferro and The Black Sorrows. Esscine is a creative diversion from this; a project born from Bell’s desire to fulfill his own dream, producing and creating original music that embodies his true self.  

Esscine’s musical influences include the likes of Sting, Paul Simon, Bonobo, Phil Collins, SOHN and James Blake.  His African roots are always at the forefront of his work, which translates as experimental, ambient grooves that move the soul.  All Esscine tracks are recorded at 528Hz, also known as the 'frequency of love' - these frequencies are healing to human DNA, encouraging listeners to realise and embrace their true potential. 

Currently based in Cairns, Australia, Esscine is busy honing his craft, playing gigs and producing for other artists. He is in the process of releasing his first mixtape, “Cause of Movement”, track by track starting on 23rd May 2014.

The next 12 months will see Esscine further establishing himself in the industry, with more mixtapes and collaborations on the cards. He has hit the ground running, and loving every moment of following his heart to fulfill his creative life goals - something that he hopes to inspire others to do also.

Hailing from the remote location of Perth, West Australia, saxophonist Troy Roberts has received numerous accolades including 3 DownBeat Jazz Soloist Awards, 3 Grammy Nominations, and was the only Australian semi-finalist in the 2008 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Graduating with a Bachelor of Music at the young age of 19, he has performed around Europe and the US extensively with artists such as Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Joey DeFrancesco, James Morrison, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Christian McBride, Sammy Figueroa, Dave Douglas, Orrin Evans and Kurt Elling to name a few, and also completed a Masters Degree at The University of Miami. In 2012, he shared the stage in an international septet comprised of jazz giants Wayne Shorter, Richard Bona, Vinnie Colaiuta and Zakir Hussein for Herbie Hancock’s launch of International Jazz Day at The UN, NYC. He was also part of Hancock’s 2014 International Jazz Day held in Osaka, Japan performing with jazz luminaries such as Gregory Porter, Marcus Miller, Esperanza Spaulding, John Scofield and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Troy is based in New York City, maintains a busy performance and recording schedule around the globe with some of the greatest jazz artists of today, and is currently celebrating his 12th release as a leader, 'Stuff I Heard' (Toy Robot Music).		
					
visit www.TroyRoberts.com

"Tales & Tones" is abound with impeccable delivery and inspired performances within a very melodious and challenging group environment. Tenor and soprano saxophonist Troy Roberts possesses a robust flexibility and dexterity that serves as a very convincing sonic calling card. He has successfully managed to forge a stunning and a most personal approach on every selection and is propelled even deeper into the soul of the compositions by a relentless and driven sense of purpose. This project summarizes Troy's potential with a stunning projection of all that is possible, given a proper supporting cast and a clear artistic vision.  
- Greg Osby

“Roberts is a boisterous and effusive player, conversant but not busy. ‘Secret Rhymes’ has a bounce to it and Roberts excels here as a leader, with an awesomely arranged album with just a touch more arch than one can legally call straight-ahead.”
- DownBeat Magazine 

“Whilst it’s not common to display virtuosity, it’s even rarer to be wonderfully creative while doing so. But the rarest of all gifts is to have a unique voice; a sound that is unmistakably your own, Troy Roberts has this gift. He amply demonstrates that it’s possible to pay homage to the great tenor players of jazz and still create a fresh approach that leaves the listener always in anticipation of what he’ll come up with next.” 
- James Morrison

“While jazz is so strongly identified as swing, it is nice to see the next gen carving out their sound and ideas. Roberts, along with his well-equipped ensemble, is certainly up to the task - creating a jazz record that employs great playing and abundant ideas. Roberts, though young in age, certainly has an arsenal of abilities under his belt, and has the makings and foundation of a lasting great saxophonist. Versatile in style, with a strong grasp of yesterday and today, he is a force to be reckoned with no matter the setting. He is more than one to watch, he is one to follow closely.”
- JazzTimes Magazine

“…Substance and style will triumph over pretentiousness and ego every time. Roberts has a resume that will certainly make one sit up and take notice having shared the stage with such luminaries as Nicholas Payton, Orrin Evans and John Clayton. Nu-Jive 5 is Roberts fifth release as a leader and is brimming with vitality and that certain pop of originality that separates the "artist" from the "musician…" 
- Critical Jazz

** Now making music under the name Boy Runaway **
Journey folk from the Cloudlands

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