Isle of Wight drummer Rufus Reader has released his debut EP, Stepping Out, while studying jazz at university in Birmingham.
The new release is available to stream now and features a collection of original compositions written by Rufus since beginning his studies at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2024.
Reflecting his experiences since moving away from the Isle of Wight, the EP explores themes including joy, love, energy, politics and peace.
Speaking about the release, Rufus said:
“I’m immensely grateful to everyone I had alongside me on this recording for trusting my ideas and for being so open to playing my music! I’m excited to have some of my music out in the world, and I’m looking forward to writing more!”
Joining Rufus on the recording are Dave Sear on trombone, RJ Gilbert on alto saxophone, Jude Bloor on piano and Casper Hamilton on double bass.
Stepping Out was recorded in February and engineered and produced by Matthew O’Malley.
Before pursuing jazz, Rufus was known to Island music fans as the drummer for Isle of Wight punk duo The Pill, who recently announced they would no longer be continuing as an active band.
Since relocating to Birmingham, Rufus has performed with the Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra and also co-runs Upstairs at Cherry Red’s Jazz Night in Birmingham city centre.
Rufus is next due to perform on the Isle of Wight at Monkton Arts in Ryde on Wednesday 1st April.
He will be joined by Birmingham trombonist George Farrell, alongside Island musicians Jon Thorne on bass and Tom Hendy on piano.
