The other prize for newsletter readers this week (email me)is a pair of tickets to a special gig at the Forge Venue in Camden Town.Composer/ pianist/ trumpeter John Cervantes (above, photo: Victor Guneng) won a Development Award from the Musicians Charity MBF to compose an extended piece for twelve-piece ensemble (jazz septet plus string quartet and harp). The work receives its premiere on this Saturday in a performance by the Cervantes Ensemble featuring Stan Sulzmann.
The Cervantes players are all top young players: Tom Walsh (trumpet); Joe Wright (saxophone); Kieran Mcleod (trombone); Alex Munk (guitar); John Cervantes (piano); Tom West (bass); Dave Hamblett (drums); Gemma Sharples (violin); Zanete Uskane (violin); Jenny Wilkinson (viola); Alice Murray (cello); Elen Hydref (harp).
I've heard some clips..people are making comparisons with Brad Mehldau's with strings projects... But I just can't help wondering if there isn't a famous ancestor with a gift for story-telling lurking in the background.
There are clips of previous compositions on the John Cervantes website.
Supported by a Musicians Benevolent Fund Development Award
