Welcoming Michael Bede Dunlop to the fold
Jazzmedia & More is delighted to welcome pianist, composer and bandleader Michael Bede Dunlop to its roster, ahead of the release of his new album titled “Bede” this spring. Marking the start of a new collaboration, today also sees the release of the first single from the project, “California Lullaby”, introducing audiences to Dunlop’s warm, narrative-driven sound and setting the stage for a busy period of live activity and new music.
“California Lullaby”, out today, offers a first glimpse into the sonic world of the forthcoming album. True to its title, the track unfolds with a relaxed, West Coast glow: spacious harmony, a gently propulsive groove and a strong melodic line that feels both immediate and quietly intricate. Rather than a vehicle for showy virtuosity, it presents the band as a cohesive unit, with Dunlop’s writing giving each voice room while keeping the focus firmly on mood and storytelling. It is an inviting entry point for listeners discovering his work for the first time.
The single leads into a carefully paced release schedule. “California Lullaby” is the opening statement, followed by a second single, “Bonny at Morn”, arriving on 13 March and revealing another side of Dunlop’s writing, before the full album drops on 27 March. Together, the two advance tracks are designed to show the breadth of the project: one leaning into a cinematic, contemporary jazz atmosphere, the other drawing on traditional influences and reimagining them in a modern context. By the time the album is released, audiences will already have a sense of the emotional range and musical DNA that run through the record.
To support the release, Dunlop will take the music on the road with a focused run of UK dates in March. On 14 March the quartet appears at The Bear Club in Luton, followed by a trio performance at the St Pancras Clock Tower in London on 20 March. The album itself is released on 27 March, the same day the quartet takes the stage at the Gala Theatre in Durham, before heading to the Pottery Gallery in Sunderland on 28 March. The run concludes on 31 March with a trio gig at the Black Swan (Jazz Café) in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, giving audiences across the country an early chance to hear the new material live.
For Jazzmedia & More, the partnership with Michael reflects our continued commitment to artists who bring a strong personal voice and a clear artistic vision to the contemporary jazz landscape. His blend of lyrical writing, rooted grooves and thoughtful reworking of influences fits naturally with the agency’s roster, and the upcoming campaign will encompass media outreach, tour promotion and strategic storytelling around the album and its themes.
With “California Lullaby” now available, the journey into Dunlop’s new project has officially begun. As “Bonny at Morn” and the full album follow in March, and the band takes to the stage, Jazzmedia & More is proud to be working alongside Michael at this pivotal moment – and looks forward to helping bring his music to a wider audience across stages, airwaves and platforms in the months ahead.
More information about Michael and the project can be found here.