Be Quick, Quigley at Sage Gateshead!

(Preview by Russell).

Quick, book now for the Hebrides Ensemble this Thursday. Ostensibly a classical event, there is much to attract the jazz fan.  Based in Scotland, the virtuosi take an innovative approach to classical composition, performing commissioned work (an impressive list of ‘names’ have been keen to work with them – Sally Beamish and James MacMillan amongst them) and like to ‘put on a show.’

On Thursday six pieces will be performed in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall at Sage Gateshead. The American literary and musical landscape will loom large and, astonishingly, Elvis will be in the building! Darius Milhaud’s Suite op 1576 begins the programme (Dave Brubeck was a star student of the composer), soprano Claron McFadden takes to the stage to sing three pieces; Thomas Adès’ Life Story (text by Tennessee Williams), Stephen Montague’s Wild Nights (poet Emily Dickinson the inspiration) and Leonard Bernstein’s musical adaptation of JM Barrie’s Peter Pan.

The centrepiece of the evening – Dead Elvis – pays homage to the Vegas jumpsuit period of Elvis Presley’s career. Composed by Michael Daugherty, bassoonist Peter Whelan, wearing a kitsch white jumpsuit, will be living proof that Elvis will, indeed, be ‘in the building’! From Milhaud’s jazz inflections to Dead Elvis to a stellar figure in contemporary jazz – Wynton Marsalis. A Fiddler’s Tale Suite, Marsalis’ trumpet dedication to Igor Stravinsky’s love of American jazz will close the evening with the trumpet feature being taken on by the brilliant Ryan Quigley. The Scot is no stranger to Tyneside audiences having played small group gigs in Newcastle and Hall One at Sage Gateshead in the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. Book now – 0191 443 4661.           

Russell.