The Cinematic Orchestra

The Cinematic Orchestra

The Cinematic Orchestra is a London-based group active since 1997. It is led by Jason Swinscoe, a composer, programmer and multi-instrumentalist, and records on the Ninja Tune label. The group’s line-up includes Tom Chant, Phil France, Luke Flowers, Nick Ramm and Stuart McCallum, with Jamie Coleman, T. Daniel Howard, Alex James and Patrick “PC” Carpenter listed as former members.

The group works across jazz and electronic music, with styles including chillout, contemporary jazz, downtempo and nu jazz. Its recordings combine live improvisation with turntable work, samples and other electronic elements. In studio releases, Swinscoe often remixes material from live sessions into finished tracks, blending jazz performance and production so closely that the boundary between the two is not always clear. Traditional solo instruments such as piano and wind instruments often act as part of the ensemble texture, while drums and double bass frequently take a more prominent role.

The Cinematic Orchestra performs with a live band in both concert and studio settings, usually alongside a turntablist. The group has also produced film music, including a score for Dziga Vertov’s 1929 film Man with a Movie Camera. It also contributes music to Ils se marièrent et eurent beaucoup d’enfants and composes for the Disney Nature film The Crimson Wing.

Its album Ma Fleur features vocals from Patrick Watson, Fontella Bass and Lou Rhodes. The group also releases the compilation Late Night Tales and has its own label, Motion Audio Records, which issues work by Lou Rhodes and is set up to release further material, including recordings by Grey Reverend.