Get the Blessing

Get the Blessing emerged from Bristol in 2000, founded by Jim Barr and Clive Deamer, the rhythm section of the seminal trip-hop act Portishead. This pedigree is central to their identity, as they apply the heavy, locked-in grooves of trip-hop and rock to a jazz quartet format.

Alongside Jake McMurchie and Pete Judge, the band developed a sound rooted in an appreciation for Ornette Coleman's harmolodics but executed with the sonic weight of post-punk. Their debut, 'All Is Yes' (2008), established them as leaders in a UK jazz revival that prioritized accessibility and rhythmic drive over academic complexity. Critically, they are noted for their uniform visual aesthetic - often involving paper bags or cellophane - and a droll, minimalist performance style. Their influence bridges the gap between the Bristol Sound and the contemporary London jazz scene, sharing DNA with acts like Sons of Kemet through their emphasis on the power of the horn-and-drum relationship. They remain a vital example of jazz-rock that maintains the 'rock' half of the equation without sacrificing improvisational depth.