Empirical

Empirical is a British jazz quartet from the United Kingdom, active from 2007. The group comprises Nathaniel Facey on alto saxophone, Lewis Wright on vibraphone, Tom Farmer on double bass and Shaney Forbes on drums and percussion. The band presents itself as a collective rather than a leader-led outfit, with each player contributing to the overall sound.

Style and repertoire

Empirical plays smart post-bop that also draws on classical, African and Cuban musical forms. Their work is described as original, structured and fresh-sounding jazz, with the group making a point of sharing the musical focus evenly across the quartet rather than centring it on a front line.

Recordings and recognition

The quartet's debut recording receives major recognition, being voted Jazzwise magazine's album of the year and Mojo magazine's jazz album of the year. Their later release also appears in Jazzwise's list of the 10 best albums of 2009 and reaches No. 3 in Mojo's jazz albums of 2009 list.

Awards and festivals

Empirical wins the inaugural EBU/European Jazz Competition at the North Sea Jazz Festival in July 2007, then receives the Peter Whittingham Jazz Award later the same year. In May 2008, the group takes the Ensemble of the Year prize at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards at the House of Commons, organised by the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group. The band is also nominated for Best Band and Best Album in the BBC Jazz Awards 2008.

Empirical performs at a number of major international jazz festivals, including North Sea Jazz, Newport Jazz Festival, New York Jazz Festival, and festivals in Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto and Montreal. They receive standing ovations at several of these appearances, including when they open for The Bad Plus in New York in 2008.