Ushaw Ensemble: Paul Edis (MD/piano); Graham Hardy (trumpet/flugel); Graeme Wilson (tenor/bass clarinet/flute); John Garner (violin); Andy May (Northumbrian pipes); Rob Walker (drums/percussion); Paul Susans (bass).
(Review by Lance).
The St. Cuthbert's Suite, composed by Paul Edis and commissioned by Ushaw College, paints a musical soundscape of the life and death of Cuthbert (633-687AD). It's a fascinating story that is beyond the remit of BSH but can be found on Wikipedia.
Musically, the various segments are portrayed by all the players with improvisations that are sometimes soft and mellow and sometimes wildly atmospheric. The writing for the ensemble, at times, verges on the near classical sometimes with Ellington overtones.
Although it has been performed at several venues in the area, because of the strength of the writing and the power of the soloists, it loses nothing by repetition and it is to be hoped that Edis, who is achieving national notice because of his piano brilliance, will be given as much, or even more, recognition as a composer and arranger.
A cultural highlight of the festival.
Lance.
PS: John Garner, depping for violinist Emma Fisk, slotted in seamlessly - bravo.
PPS: Link to World Premiere (see comment).
PPS: Link to World Premiere (see comment).
1 comment :
I draw the honourable member's attention to the review of the World Premier of this piece. (https://lance-bebopspokenhere.blogspot.com/2016/03/ushaw-ensemble-st-cuthberts-suite-ushaw.html ).
Thanks for all your Middlesborough Jazz Weekender reviews, Lance. I would have liked to be there - especially for The Ushaw Ensemble and Printmakers - but was otherwise engaged.
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