Album Title: Statue

Release Date: 26 June 2026

Label: Banger Factory Records

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“One of the great trumpet players from London… so much love for Dylan” (BBC R3 Round Midnight)

“An astonishing record… just amazing! (Soul&Jazz.com: The Cutting Edge with Mike Chadwick)

“Such a majestic, lovely vibe…. I love this track” (Jazz FM: Nikki Yeoh)

“one of the UK’s most exciting trumpet players” (One Jazz: Kasia Constance)

Trumpeter and composer Dylan Jones has established himself as a commanding and enigmatic force on the London jazz scene earning recognition as an original member of Ezra Collective and through his association with Tomorrow’s Warriors. Renowned for the distinctive clarity, power and lyricism of his trumpet sound, he has become one of the capital’s most distinctive musical voices.

Statue is Jones’ debut album as a leader, released 26 June on fellow trumpeter Mark Kavuma’s acclaimed Banger Factory Records.

The album sees Jones step fully into the spotlight and in complete control of his artistic vision, delivering a bold and assured set of five expansive, original compositions that combine the melodic power of rock with the freedom of jazz improvisation and the cinematic sweep of soundtrack writing.

Ahead of the album’s release, Jones shares the third single, Plastic Petals, out on 12 June.

An evolving 7-minute-plus track Plastic Petals explores the tension between the intoxicating beauty of love and the deeper foundations it needs to endure.  Inspired by the image of an artificial flower, the piece reflects how something can appear vibrant, passionate and full of life, while lacking the authenticity needed to truly grow. The opening embraces the euphoria of romance yet hints at cracks beneath the surface – easy to miss through the lens of infatuation.  As the music unfolds, it descends into a darker, more atonal landscape, embodying jealousy, anger, obsession and disillusionment. Through its contrasting moods, Plastic Petals captures the beauty and fragility of connection, asking what remains when passion is stripped away and deeper truths emerge.

Statue sees Jones enlist some of London’s most fearlessly creative musicians; bassist Hamish Nockles-Moore and drummer Harry Ling deliver power, precision, and delicacy at will; Jay Verma adds widescreen textures and deep harmonic improvisations on piano; and guitarist Daniel Kemshall provides towering solos and folk-tinged acoustic colours. Dylan’s trumpet playing soars ecstatically or whispers intimately to convey a full range of honest emotional commentary.

Connected by a series of musical interludes, the album’s five tracks unfold as a sweeping narrative, shifting from hushed acoustic guitar, rippling keys and lush strings to powerhouse drum solos, cascading percussion, discordant textures and power-chording rock guitar. Anchored by Dylan’s most impassioned playing, Statue is a confident album of vision and storytelling. Yet it is the epic closing title track that delivers the album’s defining statement. From a delicate piano introduction through to a colossal guitar statement, it underscores the album’s emotional depth, dynamic range and cinematic sweep.

Dylan Jones’ debut release fulfils and exceeds expectations in its scale and scope. Drawing on influences from Hans Zimmer, Bernard Herrmann and Thomas Newman, alongside jazz innovators such as Christian Scott, Statue is an ambitious statement that embraces direct, melodic writing, a powerful set of emotionally charged performances elevated by Jones’ emotive trumpet voice.