Session Bassist Antonio Val Launches Jazz Project 12 O’Clock Club
New Music, Studio Sessions, and a Festival-Ready Live Setup Announced for 2026
London, UK — 12 O’Clock Club, the contemporary jazz project from London based session bassist Antonio Val (noted for his live work with The Streets and Lily Allen), is set to make waves in the jazz scene with a new phase of live recordings, upcoming releases, and plans for festival appearances in the 2026 season.
Originally conceived as a remote collaboration during a creatively reawakened period, 12 O’Clock Club has seen Val connect with a cast of outstanding session musicians. Among them is celebrated multi-instrumentalist Lewis Taylor, who contributed guitar parts to new single "This is Not a Tango" slated for release in June-July 2025.
The turning point came with encouragement from Val’s former bass mentor Max Luthert (Nubya Garcia, Moses Boyd), inspiring him to transition from remote production to in-studio collaboration. “It was time,” says Val. “After three remotely recorded singles, I knew I needed to bring this music to life with real players in a room. I wanted to capture something honest—not just for a press pack, but to reconnect with performance and share something meaningful.”
Snippet from rehearsing “The Document” @ Lightship95
Val, who took a decade-long hiatus from the music industry to focus on family life and adrenaline pursuits like skydiving and motor racing, speaks openly about the emotional foundation of his work. “There was a thirst—something unresolved from the past—and I finally had something to say,” he reflects. “These compositions are rooted in real life: joy, contradictions, grief, even parking tickets. It’s all in there.”
With a growing catalogue and a compelling story, 12 O’Clock Club is now actively preparing for festival slots and live gigs in the coming year. Val is inviting listeners, promoters, and critics alike to engage with the music—and respond with honesty.