“Grapefruit” is the title track of Queenstown Collective’s debut EP, released on 25 February, and the song that gave the project its name. The six-piece grew out of jam sessions drummer James Morgan ran at The Ritzy in Brixton after lockdown. Those gatherings gradually brought together a core group of musicians who decided to move from open sessions into a fixed band.

The recording features Johnny Woodham on trumpet, James Akers on saxophone, Eddie Lee on keyboards, Tjoe Man Cheung on guitar, Luke Wynter on bass and Morgan on drums. Trumpet and sax introduce the main melodic line before the rhythm section settles into a groove built around bass and drums, with electric keys and guitar shaping the harmonic movement underneath.

That ensemble writing reflects the musical language the band developed during those Brixton sessions. Their sound places jazz improvisation alongside the groove-focused rhythm approach associated with London’s current jazz movement, drawing reference points from artists such as Kamasi Washington, Yussef Dayes, Hiatus Kaiyote and Jordan Rakei, and situating the track between nu-jazz, soul harmony and rhythm-driven ensemble playing.

The title connects the music to the band’s experience of the city itself. Like the fruit, it suggests a balance of sweetness and bitterness, a shorthand the group use to describe the contrast between the creative excitement of London’s music community and the pressures of everyday life in the capital.

Individually, the musicians are active across the UK jazz circuit, holding credits alongside Joe Armon-Jones, Theon Cross, Nubiyan Twist, Cherise and Elmiene. Trumpeter Johnny Woodham, who also records under the name JSPHYNX, has appeared with artists including Tom Misch, Loyle Carner and Jordan Rakei.

Before “Grapefruit”, three singles — “The Temple”, “Unit 99” featuring Poppy Daniels and “City Lights” featuring Plumm — received airplay on Jazz FM, BBC Radio 3 and Soho Radio, alongside sold-out shows at PizzaExpress Live and appearances at Love Supreme Festival and Ronnie Scott’s.

Listen to and get your copy of the Grapefruit EP via THIS LINK