London Jazz Award nominee Empirical - the name came to us as a metaphor for some of the guiding principles of Jazz music

Empirical already suggests a high-level of cerebral input into your work.. how did the name come to you, and how does your ethos of observation steer your music?

Empirical: ‘To gather information through observation and experiment'

The name came to us as a metaphor for some of the guiding principles of Jazz music, but has become a central ethos behind our album 'Elements of Truth'. The ethos inspires us to open our minds and to be multifariously influenced, by music traditions and beyond. Some of the music is in response to proverbs, some pieces explain a mantra and one is inspired by boxing. The experimental aspect comes when the music develops on the bandstand - trying new things without knowing the success of the outcome. Listen to us perform the same piece now and in a year’s time, it will have developed in a way we can’t predict until we get there!

Can you describe your ideal jazz gig.

Practicalities aside, what makes any gig excellent is a listening audience. Music is nothing without an audience. The success of a performance is whether we have invoked a reaction in the listener, be it cerebral, emotional, physical or anything else! If we can garner a response, make people think or feel or move in any way, then the gig is ideal.

What are your ambitions for Empirical, in the UK and elsewhere?

To continue our journey! We want to make records, perform music, and develop as musicians. Each time we make music it feels as if we are starting out. The key to Empirical’s future is our commitment to each other over the next 10 years! We have ambitions to travel in Europe in the short term, and further afield in the long term, Japan and America, we hope!

You all contribute in both musical direction and composition, how do you feel this influences the end result?

The sum is greater than the parts. This has particular relevance applied to a band, and to improvisers. We believe the end is unique.