
(Review by Thomas Harvey/Images © Robe Cope )
Richard Turner was shifting the community of the London jazz scene; showcasing international names in intimate spaces and bringing musicians of the capital together to drive the genre. When he died suddenly at age 27, it was a shock, not only to those around him but also to the scene of which he had become such a key member. ‘Richard Turner: A Life In Music’ comes at the hands of Rob Cope and crowd-funded by the London jazz community who premiered the film at Leeds College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music on the 11th April to a packed out room of family, friends, media and members of the music industry.
“I realised there was an opportunity to create a film about Richard’s life. It’s a remarkable and largely untold story” commented, filmmaker and saxophonist Rob Cope.

In addition to his early life, we were also shown the many steps he took educationally through various renowned musical establishments. With a decision to study a foundation course at the Leeds College of Music; so began Turner’s immersion in jazz and the network of musicians that he built himself around - he was truly in his element. With self-belief that he wouldn’t be picked for the only place available for trumpet at the Royal Academy of Music, he was of course shortly told that he was to be wrong. Jazz Educator and Trumpeter Gerard Presencer stated that without doubt, Taylor was the right choice that year, as people around him viewed him as a mature player for his age. Having this space for learning allowed Turner to become the renowned player he was for his generation and we were shown that this was only the beginning.

Thomas Harvey
‘Richard Turner: A Life In Music’ will be released worldwide in May and be sure to listen to the self-titled album by Round Trip.
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