About us
From the mind of bassist and songwriter Mark McQuillan, Testaments are a London-based contemporary jazz ensemble whose innovative songs are brought to life by some of the best young improvisors in the UK. Featuring Rebecka Edlund (Vocals), Cameron Scott (Euphonium), Dom Howard (Guitar) and Sam Nicholls (Drums), each musician brings a unique voice and approach to the material which allows for further exploration in every performance. Edlund's unmistakable vocals give voice to McQuillan's words through a playful yet deeply emotive approach, while Scott's improvisational virtuosity is channelled into sublime musical peaks. Testaments create a sweeping and dynamic sound and guide audiences through a world of both ethereal beauty and intense drama.
With a pious dedication to thematic clarity, McQuillan brings a considered and personal perspective both to his abstract subject matter and to a song's every stylistic detail. In grappling with lyrical subject matter and finding new poetic means of exploration, Testaments strive to invoke deep and lasting emotions in an audience both while listening and in subsequent moments of reflection. In grasping the power of this romantic and timeless lyrical approach, mindful listeners can experience moments of both heartbreaking intimacy and reverent purity. While spontaneity is at the core of each of Testaments' performances, this improvisational approach never ceases to be integrated around its leader's melodies, lyrics and sacred vision.
Mark McQuillan is a lyricist, songwriter and bass player living in London. Mark fuses a romantic and timeless lyrical approach with a compositional style that allows him and his fellow improvisors to create a sweeping, ethereal experience for the audience.
As a bass player, Mark has performed at venue such as the Vortex Jazz Club, Jazz in the Round and St-Martin in the Fields as well as the London and Edinburgh Jazz Festivals. Mark's versatility has led him to play with groups such as Loz Speyer’s Time Zone, Cameron Scott’s Dectet and Asha Parkinson’s Kalpadruma. Recent performance highlights include playing bass for the award nominated musical 'A Song of Songs’, a performance celebrating the music of John Coltrane at Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club and a special concert at Worcester College, Oxford with legendary composer Bob Chilcott
Cameron is a London-based jazz trombonist, euphoniumist, composer and arranger. In January 2024 he won the Trinity Laban Gold Medal showcase at King’s Place performing with his jazz orchestra and has since taken the group to a sold-out Vortex in a performance featuring jazz legend Steve Williamson. His other recent work recently has included playing with Laura Jurd’s Stepping Back, Jumping In project, Tom Challenger’s Brass Mask ensemble alongside Theon Cross, and Luke Purbrick’s quartet. He has curated various projects alongside his jazz orchestra over the last couple years, including his group dedicated to the music of Bheki Mseleku which featured Gareth Lockrane at World Heartbeat in 2023 and his dectet which recently performed at Map Studio Cafe.
Rebecka Edlund is a Swedish singer, lyricist and composer with a soft spot for the ocean, anecdotes and rusty orange. Her music is a concoction of jazz and Scandinavian folk music, herding calls, bird whistles and other peculiar sounds, exploring freely improvised storytelling and contemporary songwriting. Rebecka’s debut album ’Något om en björk’ (2022) was nominated by Lira Music Magazine as one of the best folk jazz albums of the year. Rebecka is a curator of The Downstairs Living Room at Vortex Jazz Club and recent collaborations include Laura Jurd, Elliot Galvin, Corrie Dick, Rob Luft and Huw Warren
Dom Howard is a guitarist and composer from Cambridge, based in London. He is currently in his final year at the Royal Academy of Music on the jazz course. He has played in venues in London and across the UK, in his own groups and a variety of others.
Dom’s playing and compositions draws on jazz and improvised music, post Rock/prog Metal, classical music and a variety of folk song. Dom uses techniques and pedals extensively to create textures and soundscapes, framing melodies and songs in new and exciting ways. His latest single, ‘Tidal Dance’, captures some of these sounds, with new releases inbound later this year.
Sam Nicholls
A man of few words who lets his playing speak for itself, Sam is one of the most exciting, versatile and creative young drummers in the UK. Sam has performed with leading jazz musicians like Cameron Scott, Kielan Sheard and Hans Koller as well as experimental rock outfit everett.
