(Press release)Sunday Jazz is returning to Middlesbrough Town Hall for its final instalment of critically acclaimed live music which, since launching in September, has brought some of the UK’s leading jazz musicians to Teesside.
Closing
the popular 6-month programme is award winning pianist and band leader
Nikki Iles, who will be performing alongside her recently formed 18-piece
jazz orchestra on Sunday 29th March for
one of the first times in the UK.
Described
by The Guardian as “formidably creative”, Nikki Iles has established herself as
a leading voice in the national jazz scene, earning numerous nominations for
the Parliamentary Jazz Awards and winning Best Pianist in the 2017
British Jazz Awards.
For
her latest project, Iles brings together some of the UK’s finest musicians to
produce a concert that ties together her long and distinguished career, drawing
on her vast back catalogue of compositions along with a number of new works.
“The
music ranges from gentle swing pieces - very much influenced by the big bands I
listened to in my youth, through to exciting funk grooves inspired by more
contemporary music.
“First
and foremost, my band want to create a friendly, relaxed and approachable
concert, so it really is for everyone; of any age, background or experience of
concert going.
“It
is unusual to see so many jazz musicians together, so if you are unsure, give
it a go. It is exhilarating hearing the contrast between the beautiful sound of
the muted brass and woodwind against the electrifying sound of the band in full
flow!”
This
is not the first time Iles has performed on Teesside. Speaking of her last
concert in Middlesbrough as part of the Town Hall’s Jazz Weekender Festival in
2018, Iles commented:
“The
Jazz Weekender was a wonderful event and Middlesbrough Town Hall is such a
great venue. It’s the perfect place for a Sunday afternoon of live music to
bring the family together”
Support
comes from Manchester-based rising star Nishla Smith whose
live sets are noted for their incredible variety, including breath-taking
originals, dark jazz standards and dreamy ballads.
This
special performance will also involve Teesside’s young musicians,
giving members of Tees Valley Youth Jazz Ensemble the opportunity to take part
in a workshop led by Nikki Iles and the Head of Jazz at The Royal
Academy of Music, Nick Smart.
The
concert will see the youth ensemble perform alongside Iles’ professional orchestra,
playing a piece of music rehearsed during the workshop.
Iles
commented: “Nick
Smart and I are sending some new charts up to the Tees Valley Youth Ensemble
and we will be working with them on improvisation and ensemble playing.
“Some
of the guys and girls from my Orchestra will be joining them for a performance
to kick off the event - we can’t wait to hear how it sounds!”
The
youth band is led by music educator Justin Down for Tees Valley Music Service
and formed as a result of the Town Hall’s 2018 Jazz Weekender Festival, where
the young musicians performed alongside the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.
Lead
programmer of the Sunday Jazz concert series, Ros Rigby commented:
“The
March 29th Sunday Jazz will give the audience a chance to see some of the
finest players in UK jazz today.
“Amongst
the star-studded line-up are guitarist Mike Walker, saxophonists Julian Siegel,
Tori Freestone and Karen Sharp, trumpeters Henry Lowther and Nick Smart,
trombonists Richard Henry and Ollie Martin, and of course the wonderful Nikki
Iles herself on piano.
“When
they are joined by the Tees Valley Youth Jazz Collective the numbers on stage
will swell to nearly 40 which will be quite a sight to behold in the intimate
surroundings of the Crypt.
“This
concert is particularly special as it is the last in this series of Sunday
Jazz, so we want to go out on a high!”
Sunday
Jazz ft. Nikki Iles Jazz Orchestra and Nishla Smith will take place at
Middlesbrough Town Hall on the 29th March 2020.
Tickets
can be purchased for £12 (+bf) via the Town Hall website or by calling the box
office on 01642 729 729.
For
tickets and more information about Sunday Jazz visit:
No comments :
Post a comment