Dub Me Tender!

On Wednesday 3rd October 2012 I attended the Dub Colossus Dub Band gig at Norwich Arts Centre. This was an exciting night to be at the St. Benedict's Street venue as the Dub Colossus Dub Band who are an fusion band with an inventive blend of Ethiopian jazz and traditional styles, dub reggae and atmospheric instrumentals put on a show to get us all dancing.

Dub Me Tender is the name of their latest album which they brought  to life on the Norwich Arts Centre stage. A full live dub band, this time based around the UK musicians involved in the project, has been put together. This latest version of the Dub Colossus live experience is designed to move the dancefloor in an uncompromising fashion, though still keeping that unmistakeable Ethiopian flavour. This event was part of Norfolk Black History Month 2012.

Play Without Words at Norwich Theatre Royal

On Saturday 11th August 2012 I attended the matinee performance of Matthew Bourne's Play Without Words at Norwich Theatre Royal. This sultry dance drama is set in Chelsea in 1965, it shows how the lives of a man of the house and his wife are turned upside down by the arrival of a new manservant.

Terry Davies's Jazz score created just the right atmosphere as were were taken back to the swinging sixties and was played brilliantly by a quintet led by Michael Haslam. This is an adaption of Joseph Losey's 1963 film The Servant.

Anthony, Glenda, and Prentice, the man servant are each played by three people, often simultaneously. Sheila by two people. This made for an very interesting and visual show. This was London in the sixties and the spectacular dancing was a treat to watch. I had yet another amazing experience at Norwich Theatre Royal as Matthew Bourne and his dance company put on a very inspiring performance.

I Got Rhythm brings glitz to Norwich Theatre Royal

On Wednesday 30th May 2012 I was at Norwich Theatre Royal for the Northern Ballet's performance of David Nixon's I Got Rhythm. This was an evening of music, song and dance celebrating the wonderful music of George and Ira Gershwin.

The programme consisted of An American in Paris, The Man I Love, Three Preludes, I Got Rhythm, Embraceable You, Cuban Overture, Rhapsody in Blue, Summertime, My Man's Gone Now, I Got Plenty O'Nuttin, Bess You is My Woman and Girl Crazy.

With the Northern Ballet Sinfonia Orchestra on stage with the dancers this was truly a night of glitz and glamour at Norwich Theatre Royal as the Northern Ballet gave us a performance that was full of energy as Ballet met Jazz with brilliant results. I loved it that the Orchestra was on stage in big band style, which made for a spectacular experience. This was a fun production which was greatly enjoyed by the audience as we were treated to the sounds of the roaring twenties along with splendid dancing. I Got Rhythm, I Got Music. Who could ask for anything more.

Nigel Kennedy thrills Norwich Theatre Royal

I was at Norwich Theatre Royal on the evening of Tuesday 22nd May 2012 for the Nigel Kennedy Quintet concert at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival. The venue was sold out as Nigel Kennedy and his acclaimed jazz quintet complete in Aston Villa shirts entertained us with an eclectic mix of Kennedy originals along with a selection of standards and covers.

The programme for the evening was Bach E Major, Fallen Forest, Bach A Minor 3rd and 4th, Father and Son, Where Paths Meet, Transfiguration or Saturn and Taste of Honey. With an encore including Danny Boy, Nigel Kennedy gave the Norfolk and Norwich Festival a night to remember.

This was a wonderful evening at Norwich Theatre Royal as Nigel Kennedy showed us all why he is regarded as one of the most gifted musicians this country has ever produced. Nigel Kennedy received three standing ovations at the end of the concert as the large audience shown their appreciation for the violinist.

UEA Symphony Orchestra and all that Jazz!

On Friday 11th November 2011 I attended the UEA Symphony Orchestra's From The New World To Jazz David Potter Memorial Concert at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich which also featured the UEA Duke Ellington Orchestra.

The programme for the evening was La Revue de Cuisine - Martinu, Piano Concerto in F - Gershwin, The Early Years - Duke Ellington and Symphony No.9 in E minor, Op 95, From the New World - Dvorak. Conductor for the evening was Sharon Andrea Choa while Alison Lincoln was soloist on Gershwin's Piano Concerto.

David Potter was an artist who loved to paint pictures of the Orchestra who passed away earlier this year. The programme was chosen from music that he enjoyed. The Save UEA Music campaign were handing out leaflets and asking the audience to sign their petition.

The concert opened with the fun of Martinu's La Revue de Cuisine complete with chef and saucepan headwear. The Kitchen Revue is strongly influenced by Jazz and is based on a tale of love and jealousy among a group of kitchen utensils.

George Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F was a triumph for the Orchestra and Alison Lincoln on piano as we were given a taste of the Twenties full of Broadway influences. The sound of New York that will remain timeless forever.

After the interval Vic Hobson led the UEA Duke Ellington Orchestra in a wonderful set of early works from Duke Ellington. We were treated to Black and Tan Fantasy, Rockin' in Rhythm and Mood Indigo that are all transcriptions of Ellington recordings made for the Lincoln Center by David Berger.

The evening ended on a high with Dvorak's Symphony No.9, Op 95 New World. The music reflects his experiences of America and was first performed in 1893. A mix of sounds that always thrills from the Czech composer.  The night was a great example of the UEA School of Music providing music for the community in Norwich.

Strictly Gershwin full of Ballet and Jazz!

Strictly Gershwin bringing glamour to the
Royal Albert Hall

On Saturday afternoon I attended the English National Ballet performance of Strictly Gershwin at the Royal Albert Hall. It may have been a day of sunshine and showers in London but inside this magical iconic building we were taken on a journey to the world of glamour created by George and Ira Gershwin.

Derek Deane's Strictly Gershwin mixes ballet, jazz, modern and tap dancing to provide us with a very spectacular show that enchanted us all. My highlight was Rhapsody in Blue which combined this musical kaleidoscope of America with classical ballet that summed up the whole spirit of the show.

This was bringing ballet to the masses with happiness and celebration.  Act I was Gershwin on Broadway with Overture, I've Got A Crush On You, The Man I Love, Fascinatin' Rhythm, Shall We Dance, Someone To Watch Over Me, 'S Wonderful, Gershwin-terlude and An American in Paris.

Act II was just as delightful bringing us Gershwin in Hollywood with Rhapsody In Blue, Embraceable You, Lady Be Good, Summertime, But Not For Me, Who Cares?, Strike Up The Band, It Ain't Necessarily So, A Foggy Day and I Got Rhythm. This was all performed on the large Royal Albert Hall stage that had us all applauding in great appreciation.

I had a wonderful experience at the Royal Albert Hall and very much enjoyed the show. I was tap dancing in the rain all the way back to South Kensington Underground Station.