by Trevor Bannister
August 21, 2019
Guest contributor Trevor Bannister previews a performance of saxophonist and composer Mark Lockheart's "Days On Earth" suite at the Wilde Theatre, South Hill Arts Centre, Bracknell on 27/09/2019.
Trevor Bannister writes;
On 27th September Jazz in Reading and Bracknell Jazz are jointly promoting a performance of Mark Lockheart’s Days On Earth at the Wilde Theatre, South Hill Arts Centre, Bracknell. It’s the opening concert in Mark’s UK tour and though scaled down from the massive ensemble that premiered the work in January and recorded the album, the Bracknell concert will be the only one to use a four-piece string section, making it an even more special occasion.
PRESS RELEASE:
Mark Lockheart’s ‘Days on Earth’
Wilde Theatre, South Hill Arts Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire.
Friday 27 September 2019
Mark Lockheart, virtuoso saxophonist and composer, is thrilled to be bringing his music to the Wilde Theatre, Bracknell on Friday 27 September and the chance to present his full 15-piece ensemble on the first date of his forthcoming UK tour.
‘Bracknell,’ he says, ‘has a special place in the British jazz psyche. I have special memories of playing at the wonderful Bracknell Jazz Festival with the fantastic band Loose Tubes on a bill topped by the great American guitarist Pat Metheny . The Festival brought cutting edge music to the town in a pleasant family atmosphere. I hope to bring some of that magic back to Bracknell with my jazz/orchestral tour de force ‘Days on Earth’.
‘My amazing small ensemble, featuring rising-stars Laura Jurd on trumpet, Alice Leggett saxophone and Sam Rapley clarinets, plus Liam Noble piano, Mike Outram guitars, Tom Herbert bass and Seb Rochford drums, will play the first half. They’ll be joined by special guests Rowland Sutherland flute, a string section and Jim Rattigan and Lawrence Clark on french horns for ‘Days on Earth’ in the second -it’s very first performance out of London since its première in January of this year.’
‘Days on Earth’, and the album released to coincide with the concert, received massive critical acclaim and moved John Fordham of the Guardian to write in his 4-star review, ‘This is the brightest recording of a glittering career.’
How best to describe ‘Days on Earth’?
‘It’s the culmination,’ Mark explains, ‘ of the 2 billion seconds that I’ve been eating, sleeping, playing and composing music; an eclectic mix of the influences and genres that have shaped my ideas - expansive jazz improvisation, the lush soundscapes of playing with the band Polar Bear, to 70’s funk, African kora type harp melodies and soaring strings. It’s a defining work for me – intrinsically linked to life, love and joy.’
‘Days on Earth’, an ambitious venture jointly promoted by Bracknell Jazz, Jazz in Reading and South Hill Park, has a universal appeal to all lovers of live contemporary music and should not be missed!
Further details and ticket information can be found on:
http://www.jazzinreading.com
https://www.southhillpark.org.uk/events/mark-lockhearts-orchestral-jazz-suite/
The ‘Days on Earth’ tour will continue with the 8-piece ensemble: Sept 30th , Jazz In The Round- London; Oct 4th, Turner Sims, Southampton; Oct 10th, RWCMD, Cardiff; Oct 30th, Symphony Hall, Birmingham.