Richard Spaven has supplied the drums for many artists on stage and in the studio. José James, Flying Lotus, The Cinematic Orchestra, Guru’s Jazzmatazz, Gregory Porter to name but a few.
Working closely with such a diverse range of artists must bare influence upon Spaven’s own compositions, in which some how the drums bridge the gap between the worlds of jazz and electronic music. Spaven’s debut release ‘5ive’s EP’ (Jazz Refreshed) in 2010 quietly turned heads. Most recently it featured on best selling video game ‘Grand Theft Auto V’. With a guest appearance by José James on the hypnotic ‘Maz’, the record was seen by some as a jazz record but was also played out loud by many club DJ’s. ‘Whole Other*’ continues the journey. The music is rich and genre defying. Blue Note Trumpeter Takuya Kuroda appears on the record, playing soulfully amongst ragga tinged drums. GTA V collaborators ‘The Hics’ join Spaven on the albums title track ‘Whole Other*’. UK sounds to the fore James Blake-esque moody vocals meeting Spaven’s edgy broken drums head on. Guitarist Stuart McCallum’s (The Cinematic Orchestra) signature sound is prominent. Spaven has been working with him since their meeting on stage with Cinematic a few years ago and he features throughout the record.Richard’s CV is impressive. Since holding down the drummer’s seat at Mark de Clive-Lowe’s seminal Freesoul Sessions residency at The Jazz Cafe in the mid 00's, he has gone on to become a core member of both José James’ band and co-founder of Robert Mitchell’s 3iO, as well as featuring on 4hero’s highly recommended ‘Play With the Changes’ and ‘Extensions’ albums.
When he’s not laying down tracks in the studio, he tours endlessly, clocking up air miles with some of the biggest names in the business. In the past he has toured and performed live with (the late) GURU of Gangstarr, Flying Lotus, The Cinematic Orchestra, TY, Kaidi Tatham and LA jazz sensation Nailah Porter to name but a few.