Tomos Williams (trwmped/trumpet); Eadyth
Crawford (llais/voice); Rachel Musson (tenor
sax); Huw Warren (piano); Paula Gardiner (bas/bass);
Mark O’Connor (drymiau/drums)
Welsh jazz trumpeter Tomos Williams, is on a tour of
Wales once again with his new project re-imagining music from the Welsh folk
tradition. 'Blodeugerdd /the Great Welsh Songbook' comprises a stellar line-up
of Welsh jazz musicians
'Blodeugerdd' means 'anthology' in Welsh, while the 'Great Welsh Songbook' monicor is a play on the 'Great American Songbook' title which provides hundreds of jazz 'standards' and is the foundation of many modern jazz compositions.
Tomos has partnered with Aberystwyth Arts Centre for this
new musical venture. The band rehearsed in Aberystwyth for a day, before the
first concert of their short tour of Wales was held on Thursday October 2 at
7.30pm at the Great Hall, Aberystwyth Arts Centre.
The tour continued with this performance at Caffi Isa',
Mynydd Isa on October 3 and continues at Canolfan Ucheldre, Holyhead on
Saturday October 4 and finishes at the Dora Stoutzker Hall, RWCMD, Cardiff on
Friday October 10.
Tomos received funding from Tŷ Cerdd to compose these new
arrangements of Welsh folk tunes, and Canolfan Ucheldre, Holyhead have also
commissioned him to write a new piece of music inspired by the landscape of Ynys
Môn - so this is why he arranged Cob
Malltraeth (see set list below).
Tomos said “It's great to be touring Wales once again
with such a great band. I'm so grateful for the continued support of the team
at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre, and to Tŷ Cerdd for funding these new
compositions.
My intention is to place a Welsh voice at the forefront
of these arrangements which draws inspiration from the classic ECM sound.
European jazz from countries such as Poland and Finland is recognised
world-wide, so I'm bringing a Welsh perspective to the European jazz aesthetic
with Blodeugerdd.
You can expect Welsh folk tunes, mixed with high-end jazz
from a number of Wales' leading and most creative musicians.”
This
hugely talented band provided a wonderful concert. Other than Huw Warren who I
have seen play multiple times in North Wales it was my first time seeing the
other artists. Young vocalist Eadyth Crawford excelled with spectacular vocals
– one to watch. All the other musicians are in high demand and are high class
musicians. They blended well with each other.
The
band led a workshop with young musicians earlier in the day who were given the
opportunity of playing some tunes before the main band played.
This
concert had been billed to take place in the Studio a new space in Theatr Clwyd
which has had a multi million redevelopment but the Studio was not ready for
this concert but Caffi Isa provided an appropriate intimate space for such a
concert. It was great hearing new fresh music. Whilst I live in Wales I am not
a Welsh speaker so thanks to Tomos for providing details of the setlist after
the concert. I believe a recording is being made of the last concert in Cardiff
so look out for a new album from this band in new course. Richard Morris
Set List: Lloer Dirion - Tender Moon; Ffarwel (Farewell) which comprised of two Welsh folk tunes: Ffarwel i Aberystwyth and Ffarwel i Langyfelach; Y Gwydd - The Loom or the Weaver; Mae'r Ddaear yn Glasu - The Earth is Greening; Hiraeth - Longing - comprised of two Welsh folk songs - Hiraeth and Hiraeth am Feirion. (Longing and Longing for Meirion); Cob Malltraeth - Malltraeth Dyke or Embankment (Malltraeth is a place in Anglesey)
Caffi Isa, Mynydd Isa Library Community Centre, Mercia Drive, Mynydd Isa, Mold CH7 6UH Open: Mon – Fri 9.15 -5.30pm, Sat 9.15 - 1pm closed Sunday Website caffi-isa.co.uk launching soon
Theatr
Clwyd, Raikes Lane, Mold CH7 Wales
biggest performing arts theatre based in Flintshire. website: https://www.theatrclwyd.com
including restaurant, cinema and various performance spaces
1 comment :
What a wonderful concert this sounds - fascinating to read the write up as well, thank you, Richard!
Post a Comment