Saxophonist Tim Whitehead launches a major new project in September based on the works of the great British artist J.M.W Turner. Whitehead, who has a lifelong interest in painting and the visual arts, was appointed artist in residence at Tate Britain in 2009 where he was able to explore and investigate what he sees as a strong relationship between Turner’s art and music.

The saxophonist was particularly drawn to Turner’s atmospheric watercolour sketches and improvised a series of pieces with his quartet to overhead projections of the artist’s work at last November’s Late at the Tate series. The performance, which featured pianist Liam Noble, bassist Oli Hayhurst and drummer Milo Fell, was recorded and Whitehead later transcribed the spontaneous compositions and recorded them with his Personal Standards Quartet for his new album, Colour Beginnings, scheduled for release on 22 September on Homemade records.

The album features both studio and live recordings and will be supported by tour dates with the Personal Standards Quartet, including Noble and bassist Pat Bettison, with performances accompanied by projections of Turner’s watercolour work. Dates are: The Queen's Theatre, Barnstaple (22 Sept); Scarborough Jazz Festival (25 Sept); Bristol Cabot’s Circus Hotel (26 Sept); Riverside Arts Centre, Walton (3 Oct); Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond (10 Oct); The Forge, Camden (21 Oct) with further appearances announced shortly.

– Jon Newey