YOU CRAFTY THING: MAKING MUSIC WITH MARK KAVUMA

To celebrate the launch of our newest scent, we invited musician Mark Kavuma and his band to create original tracks inspired by The Dandy, a fragrance of cedarwood and mischief.

Mark Kavuma for The Dandy

Penhaligon’s may be purveyors of fine perfumes, but we’re more than prepared to dip our toes into other promising pursuits. So, when we were concocting our latest fragrance, The Dandy – inspired by endless nights at the speakeasy – we couldn’t help but ask musician Mark Kavuma to step into The Dandy with us and compose original jazz music one could dance all night to in haze of glitter and mischief. The result? A temptingly toe-tapping quartet of terrific tracks!

DANCE WITH ME

Mark Kavuma, Musician Marvel

Composer. Bandleader. Trumpeter. These are just a few words to describe music extraordinaire Mark Kavuma, leader of The Banger Factory, a collective known for their soulful sound and distinctive enthusiasm. Mark, born in Uganda, discovered music at the age of 13 when he started to play the trumpet. His early influences included South African Jazz and Gospel, and Kavuma integrated himself into the nu-jazz music scene and produced his first tracks in his early twenties. Now, Mark leads an ensemble band with monthly residencies in London and has released six albums with The Banger Factory.

In The Studio

Penhaligon’s asked Kavuma and his band to create some original music inspired by The Dandy fragrance, a woody amber scent with notes of whisky, raspberry and cedarwood. The results? Four soulful songs sprinkled with jazzy solos, all invoking what it would feel like to spend a night at The Dandy (if The Dandy were a real place. Which, to Penhaligon’s, it is). 

We sat down with Mark to discuss his passion for music, as well as the inspiration behind the jazz tracks for The Dandy – which you can watch for yourself here:

 

 

Ears burning? You can listen to The Dandy EP on Spotify or Apple Music. Now, time to get those toes tap-tapping to the rhythm of Jazz. Pour another, won't you?

The Dandy Jazz Soundtrack
THE DANDY

Further Reading

Ah, Halfeti – the jewel in Turkey’s crown. With its wonderful mix of Byzantine, Armenian, Egyptian and Ottoman heritage. And a town well-versed in trading with the world, too. Spices and so...

Read this article

It goes without saying that we are partial to a good cup of tea here at Penhaligon’s. But where did the British obsession with tea begin? We invited the founder of the Rare Tea Company, Henrietta Love...

Read this article

Just as wild animals mark their territory, a person’s fragrance extends the personal space they inhabit. Indeed, perfumes smell different depending on the wearer, so one must choose a fragrance tha...

Read this article

It’s been a few years since the esteemed Portraits family took permanent residence in Penhaligon’s stores around the world. The ever-growing Portraits fragrance collection continues to offer something...

Read this article

Have you ever paused to take in the scent of a fresh rose and felt instantly uplifted? This is no mere coincidence. Floral scents are scientifically proven to make one feel happier. A fragrance ca...

Read this article

An intoxicating smell as one enters. Unrivalled care and attention from fragrance experts. Every one of our boutiques has its hallmarks, but there is nothing more distinctly Penhaligon’s than our icon...

Read this article

Back in William’s day, any self-respecting London dandy could be found bouncing around between Jermyn Street and St. James's Street. Here, a gentleman’s every tailoring and grooming need could be tend...

Read this article

London’s Most Romantic Spots: Approved by Penhaligon’s Faint heart never won fair lady (or fair gentleman). This Valentine’s Day, it’s time to buck up your ideas and take your sweetheart on an outi...

Read this article

What a crying shame it would be to omit the telling of a tale such as this. A tale of the Prince of Perfumery. Call him William Penhaligon. He embarked on aplethora ofperegrinations. Some involved the...

Read this article

Penhaligon's is proud to introduce THE FAVOURITE The stage is set, the setting is Blenheim. The story concerns the mother of this majestic Palace. Her scent fills the Royal Quarters as gol...

Read this article