Alex Paxton's fifth studio album, Candyfolk Space Drum is released on 3 April 2026 on Jonah Records. As exuberant as ever, Paxton's music on the album features jazz musicians, school children, players from the London Sinfonietta and Riot Ensemble, as well as soloists including Paxton himself on trombone, Jennifer Walshe (voice) and Zubin Kanga (piano).
Candyfolk Space Drum asserts that art should be essential and embedded within society and that a composer can write on an international level while remaining part of the local community in which they live. Alongside virtuosic ensemble writing, the album foregrounds music with school children and jazz musicians who each bring layers of magic from their own performance practice.
A formative image comes from Paxton’s past life as a primary school classroom music teacher in London, teaching children in groups of 30+, mainly singing in a joyful, ragged unison — full of character, with no attempt to smooth eccentricity into choral cohesion. That spirit runs throughout the album: individuality is preserved, collective energy is amplified and music becomes social and alive.
As a taster of this approach, the track Shake Up & Smell the Rain has been released featuring an animation by Oz Animation (see video) with performers including the Children’s Chorus of Belham Primary school conducted by Aga Serugo-Lugo, musicians from the London Sinfonietta and Paxton on trombone.
Further information about the album from BandCamp.
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