“Departure”

RELEASE DATE: June 12, 2026

Vulnerable and deeply personal, “Departure” marks a new chapter for Jonathan Bauer. A story told in three parts, this EP is Bauer cracking their chest open in an effort to bare their heart to the listener. Equipped with a sound that pours from the trumpet like a dark fog and thoughtful compositions that guide the listener through an emotional landscape shaped by movement and change, Bauer continues to position themself as a compelling voice in today’s jazz landscape.

“Sunset on Louisiana” chronicles Bauer’s conflicting feelings about leaving their home of New Orleans to move to London. It evokes the fading glow of a southern sunset. Rich with  longing and nostalgia, you can almost see the warm purples, pinks and oranges painting the entire sky.

The title track, “Departure,” has a joyful yet nervous energy. With a pulse that keeps  everything leaning forward, this song captures the excitement of embarking on a new adventure. 

“We Need to Do Better” delivers the EP’s most sobering moment. With a haunting melancholy, Bauer turns outward, asking listeners to confront the social, political, and environmental realities shaping the world. It is both a lament and a quiet call for collective accountability.

Along with a grounded rhythm section in Liam Dunachie on Piano, Joshua Walker-Martin on drums and Huw V. Williams on upright bass, this band delivers an EP that feels fearless and profoundly human.

Recorded @ Dalston Lane Studios | March 16, 2025

Mixed & Mastered by Chris Butcher @ Butcher Studios

Featuring:

Jonathan Bauer - Trumpet

Liam Dunachie - Piano

Huw V. Williams - Upright Bass

Joshua Walker-Martin - Drums