Album title: She Looks Up At The Trees

Release Date: 24 November 2025

London-based contemporary jazz string trio J.A.M. String Collective announce their debut album She Looks Up At The Trees, set for release on 24 November. The trio comprises Annalise Lam (violin), Julia Dos Reis(viola) and Miranda Lewis-Brown (cello). Dos Reis and Lewis-Brown met through Tomorrow’s Warriors, prompting an extensive tour with celebrated saxophonist Steve Williamson before the release of their highly acclaimed EP JΔM. With strings taking a leading improvisational role, it showcased their exciting mix of jazz, improv and contemporary sound worlds, all with a solid dose of groove. The EP went on to be remixed by Leafcutter John, Wonky Logic, and Nomieye (aka Rosie Turton, Jazz FM’s 2020 Breakthrough Act of the Year nominee), positioning the Collective as an innovative and boundary-pushing ensemble while signalling their arrival as a distinctive force in the improvisational string world.

She Looks Up at the Trees is an honest take on our relationship with Planet Earth, whether that be the human response to the insentient forces of nature, the damaged bond as witnessed in the spiralling Climate Crisis, or pure celebration of Earth’s beauty, perceived through the innocent eyes of a child (and a bird!). Nomieye, (aka Rosie Turton) returns as guest on modular synths alongside a guest appearance from grime MC Kayes Mensah. The album also features a new suite composed specifically for the trio by Oleta Haffner.

The album opens with Sungold I. we start in space and alludes to the image of the earth from outer space. Nomieye’s modular synth reinforces the sense of ‘space’ and sets the scene for the rest of the album. Sungold II features just the acoustic string trio, starting with solo violin over a bassline, joined by the viola, the two gradually becoming intertwined reflecting vapor trails across a pristine sky. Sungold III meanwhile, goes for a funkier vibe reflecting a beautiful evening sunset. it comes in waves, written by Lewis -Brown, explores the fluctuating emotion we experience during loss and grief. With two contrasting sections – a fierce bassline with tritone strings and heavy distortion followed by a dreamlike, bowed melody on the cello – the track also features a spoken poem written and performed by Lewis-Brown which was the inspiration for the track. While not specifically inspired by Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, a fistful of soil was written – along with pagan rituals and our intrinsic and symbiotic connection to the earth – with that sense very much in mind. Milo’s Flight Home(also the first single) was inspired by Lewis-Brown’s pet parrotlet, Milo. The solo violin, tapping on the cello and repetitive bassline were all informed by Milo’s quirks and you can hear his cameo appearance at the end of the track!

The Elemental Suite is a newly composed suite written by Oleta Haffner for J.A.M. String Collective and was funded by the Peter Whittingham developmental award. Based on the four elements, the suite depicts the devastation of the Climate Crisis in dramatic and virtuosic melodic statements and expansive cinematic group improvisations, punctuated by a rich percussive palette in looped beats. The fourth track in the suite, AQUA, features grime MC Kayes Mensah (Dos Reis plays in his Rooftop Assembly group).

She Look Up At The Trees demonstrates that J.A.M String Collective is a trio of adventurous improvisors prepared to go beyond the confines of genre and expectation. Willing to take risks, their music is that perfect balance of classical string composition and jazz improvisation that sets them aside from their contempories.