Formed in 2018, Chris Batchelor’s Zoetic is a close-knit and sympathetic band of long term musical partners brought together to play Batchelor’s evocative compositions. The unusual combination of trumpet, viola, guitar, double bass and percussion, with this particular personnel, creates a distinctive and atmospheric group sound.

The collective sensibility shared by Zoetic’s stellar line up is the result of years of playing alongside in many different projects. Guitarist John Parricelli and bassist Steve Watts were fellow members of the legendary ’80’s big band Loose Tubes, for which Batchelor was a key composer. Paul Clarvis, here on tabla and hand percussion, has been a member of Batchelor’s eclectic quartet Pigfoot for over ten years, while violist Margrit Hasler is a more recent addition to the UK scene, having previously featured in Mark Lockheart’s ‘Ellington In Anticipation’, another post Loose Tubes connection.

“A highlight of the gig-going year. The music casts its net wide for idiom and influence. The approach of the ensemble, led by trumpeter Chris Batchelor forges a distinctive sound and mood; quietly spellbinding, unfailingly uplifting” Mike Collins jazzyblogman.wordpress.com

“As always with Batchelor, around half the pleasure comes from the compositions and the other half from the performances, which, as might be expected from a lineup of this calibre, are terrific”  Chris May Allaboutjazz.com

“A melting pot of an album full of grace and charm – what a welcome diversion from the norm” Stephen Graham marlbank.net

“Zoetic’s sound is melodically catchy without a cliché in earshot, produced by creatively idiosyncratic individuals who simultaneously sense exactly when to make space for the interventions of partners on the fly.“ John Fordham londonjazznews.com