Music Articles
Slowly, but Surely…
Claire Martin, ‘UK’s best jazz vocalist’, made her debut at The Oak Room of the legendary Algonquin Hotel on New York’s West Forty Forth Street this summer, coinciding with the release of her twelfth album, He Never Mentioned Love - a tribute to the late, great Shirley Horn. Helen Pearse talked to Claire on her return to the UK about The Algonquin, her musical friends, and returning home again to the sea. (Read more...)
Bringing Back the Jazz...
Soweto Kinch’s new album, A Life in the Day of B19: Tales of the Tower Block, is both a love letter and a wake up call to his homeland, Birmingham B19 – a place which fires his imagination and breaks his heart at the same time. Helen Pearse meets up with Soweto on the platform of Victoria Station, and finds the young star of the British jazz scene in fiery form. (Read more...)
The Alan Barnes Interview
Life on the Open Road
Described by his peers as ‘one of the brightest talents on the current jazz scene’, Helen Pearse catches up the Alan Barnes, all round jazz superstar, over a nice cup of tea… (Read more...)
Acker's Back
Rumours of Acker Bilk’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. He’s
very much alive and well and living in the rural idyll that is Somerset.
Helen Pearse takes a trip out West to meet him.(Read more...)
A Coming of Age
In a remarkable interview Michael Collins reveals what he really thinks about the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition, pushy parents and the significance of turning forty. (Read more...)
About A Boy…
It’s not everyday that an international solo artist comes off stage at the Barbican theatre and asks his mum for an ice cream. ..Welcome to the world of Julian Bliss, child prodigy and, well, just a down-to-earth kind of a boy, actually. Helen Pearse reports. (Read more...)
Aurora Orchestra Concert Review
The Aurora Orchestra present ‘Raising the Curtain’ conducted by Nicholas Collon and featuring clarinettist, Timothy Orpen.
Duke’s Hall, Royal Academy of Music, Friday 9th March, 2007 (Read more...)
Pushing The Boundaries
Cristo Barrios Clarinet
Clinton Cormany Piano
Wigmore Hall Debut, Sunday 19th November 2006
On the afternoon of his Wigmore Hall debut Helen Pearse caught up with the Spanish clarinettist, Cristos Barrios, and discovered a musician poised on the brink of international acclaim, with a distinctive take on the clarinet repertoire. (Read more...)
Songs of Experience
Gervase de Peyer 80th and Friends
An 80th Birthday Celebration
The Wigmore Hall, London, Tuesday 4th April 2006
A spry Gervase de Peyer stides onstage at the Wigmore Hall and seats himself face to face with his former pupil, Vincenzo Perrone, whilst pianist Carlo Balzaretti sits poised at the piano. The semi-circular stage is bathed in a golden glow that reflects upwards towards an ornately decorated cupola, complete with celestial cloud burst and winged pre Raphaelite angels, kneeling in adoration at the feet of a man representing the soul of music. (Read more...)
World Premiere of James Long’s Kaleidochimera Concerto
World Premiere of James Long’s Kaleidochimera Concerto with The Lydian Orchestra, conducted by Brynley Clarke.
The Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks, Kent, Sunday 4th July 2004
Soloist: Michael Grant. Winner of Sevenoaks Young Musician of the Year, 2004.
Michael Grant holds a spellbound audience in the palm of his hands at the premiere of James Long’s Kaleidochimera, a concerto for saxophone and orchestra. By Helen Pearse (Read more...)
The Works get down to business
The 606 Club. Wednesday 7th September 2005
Lotts Road, Chelsea. London UK
It’s an evening full of promise - a dimly lit, subterranean jazz club in Chelsea, a buzz in the audience and The Works here to entertain us with tracks from their debut album, ‘Beware of the Dog’. Helen Pearse reports. (Read more...)
Paul Harvey’s Big Day Out
On a beautifully sunny Saturday afternoon, June 11th 2005, Paul Harvey pulled out all the stops for a 70th Birthday Concert like no other. Helen Pearse was there to join in the fun. (Read more...)
This Musician’s Life…
In a week that saw the ENO’s Valkyrie’s take Glastonbury by a storm Helen Pearse caught up with their Co-Principal clarinettist, Tony Lamb, to talk about his life in music. (Read more...)
Whaddya Want From Me?
Works for clarinet and saxophone, including world premiere performances of compositions by Paul Harvey and Richard Rodney Bennett. Nigel Hinson, Paul Harvey, Ian Haysted and Nick Oliver on piano. (Read more...)
Green from the grassroots up….
A Concert in aid of the Dorothy Grinstead Trust, performed by young musicians at the St Andrews C of E School, Croydon, featuring ‘Take 4 Clarinets’ and ‘The Flute Ensemble’. (Read more...)
An Evening of Romantic Trios at The Cello Factory, Waterloo
Escaping off the streets on a cold, wet Waterloo evening into the warm embrace of The Cello Factory is the perfect antidote to the winter blues. The packed audience take their seats surrounded by perfect, whitewashed walls hung on all sides with vibrant abstract canvasses of magenta, orange and deepest scarlet. (Read more...)