Dave Stapleton is a visionary force in contemporary music, as a composer, producer, photographer, and founder of Edition Records, one of Europe’s leading jazz and alternative music labels. His creative evolution, from early quintet releases through to Slowly Rolling Camera, mirrors the growth of Edition itself: a label that has gone from independent beginnings to a global platform for groundbreaking artists.

His roots lie in composition. While studying classical piano at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Dave was introduced to jazz and improvisation through the late Keith Tippett. That spark of creative freedom led to a prolific run of albums with the Dave Stapleton Quintet—When Life Was In Black and White (2005), The House Always Wins (2007), and Between the Lines (2010)—which established him as a distinctive voice in the UK jazz scene. In 2012, he released Flight, a richly layered album featuring Marius Neset and the Brodowski String Quartet, showcasing his growing ambition as a composer writing for both jazz ensemble and strings.

In 2008, driven by a clear artistic vision, he launched Edition Records. What began as an outlet for his own music has become a trusted home for international names like Chris Potter, Dave Holland, John Patitucci, and Gretchen Parlato, alongside a new generation of artists including Fergus McCreadie, Joe Webb, and Sultan Stevenson. With over 25 million streams for Slowly Rolling Camera alone, and multiple Mercury Prize and Grammy nominations across the label, Dave’s production values and long-term thinking have shaped careers and built deep connections with audiences worldwide.

His project Slowly Rolling Camera—formed in 2013—allowed him to explore more cinematic, emotionally expansive sound worlds, combining jazz, electronics, and widescreen production. The band has released multiple albums to critical acclaim, contributing to his identity as a forward-thinking producer working across genre and form.

Beyond music, Dave has quietly become a respected visual artist, shooting photography for many Edition artists and crafting artwork for dozens of releases. His ability to see and shape the complete creative process, from composition and production to visual identity and label strategy, defines his approach today.

Now leading both Edition Records and its sub-label E2 Music, Dave Stapleton continues to build a future-focused, artist-first model—supporting creativity across borders, platforms, and generations.