CIVIL SERVICE CHOIR - CELEBRATING WILL TODD CHORAL JAZZ

Sunday November 19

CIVIL SERVICE CHOIR
- CELEBRATING WILL TODD CHORAL JAZZ

At St John's Smith Square, Westminster, London, SW1P 3HA

Civil Service Choir_Will Todd_Mass in Blue_St Johns Smith Square_JBGB Events_Jazz in London

In its 20th anniversary year, Will Todd’s Mass in Blue is celebrated for bringing jazz to choirs. Performing this ground-breaking upbeat jazz setting of the Latin Mass, plus his shorter Jazz Missa Brevis - embracing a variety of jazz styles - the outstanding Civil Service Choir is joined by stellar jazz musicians soprano Francesca Confortini, Rob Barron on piano, Tommy Andrews on saxophone and the Tom Green Jazz Orchestra; and the composer talking about his music. The concert also features Songs of Love and Amazing Grace.

The Civil Service Choir first performed at St John’s Smith Square ten years ago and has delighted audiences ever since including in the London Jazz Festival as a supporting act for the Swingles.

Composer and pianist Will Todd is known for his beautiful and exciting music. His work encompasses choral works, opera, musical theatre and orchestral pieces, as well as jazz and chamber works.

An insight into what you can expect from this combination of jazz and choral music  are these  two extracts from the concert, highlighting what audiences can expect
 
First the opening "The Kiss" , one of the Songs of Love from the first half.
 

"Kyrie" from the concert's second half Mass in Blue

Just wonderful evocative sounds for people who just like listening to great music.

Featured Artists

Francesca Confortini – Soprano

Born in Milan, Italy, Francesca Confortini has been living and performing in London for several years.

After graduating with a diploma in musical theatre in Milan, she achieved a bachelor's degree in music performance at ICMP and completed a jazz masters at London’s Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

She has performed in major European venues, including London‘s 100 and 606 clubs, Wembley stadium and Ronnie Scotts; the Blue Note in Milan and the Hotel de Paris in Monaco.

She is currently not only performing regularly with her own band, writing and arranging songs, but also teaching performance and vocals at The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance.

Tom Green – Leader of the Tom Green Jazz Orchestra

Tom Green, an alumnus of the Royal Academy of Music, is a leading trombonist on the London jazz scene, a writer of original arrangements for his Septet and also the musical director of his jazz orchestra. 

Following the successful launch of their first album “Skyline” in 2016, the Tom Green Septet enhanced their standing as a new youthful force in the jazz world with a much talked about concert at London’s Wigmore Hall.

The original writing and compelling ensemble arrangements confirmed them as a unique group of talented musicians which led to their widely acclaimed sell out concert, in the EFG London Jazz Festival.

Tom’s orchestration skills were shown to the fore as band manager of the Royal Academy of Music Alumni All Stars 22- piece orchestra playing the original Gil Evans arrangements of George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bass in the EFG London Jazz Festival at St Johns Smith Square.

Rob Barron – Piano

Rob Barron has played with a who’s who of American jazz musicians such as Al Jarreau, Patti Austin, Marlena Shaw, Phil Woods, Benny Golson, Grant Stewart, and John Marshall and leading UK musicians Dave O’Higgins, Claire Martin, Anita Wardell, Mark Crooks, Colin Oxley and Nat Steele. As a session musician he has played on many film soundtracks and has worked with the BBC Big Band, The Philharmonia Orchestra and The Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra.

His latest album ‘From This Moment On’, received numerous five-star reviews and accolades from both the UK and international press. 

"This is classic piano trio jazz at its best” - Barry Withderden - BBC Music Magazine

He is currently on a U.K. wide tour supporting Claire Martin in her Remembering Richard concerts -playing the music of Richard Rodney Bennett

Tommy Andrews – Saxophones

Tommy Andrews is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, composer and educator. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with a First-Class degree in jazz saxophone, he is already a recognised band leader and appears as a sideman with the BBC Big Band and many of our greatest jazz ensembles and musicians, including the Tom Green Septet. Tommy has performed at some of the U.K.’s most prestigious venues, including Ronnie Scott’s, the Purcell Room, London Palladium, Royal Festival Hall, Vortex and Cadogan Hall.

The Civil Service Choir performs under the leadership of its Musical Director Stephen Hall who also conducts the whole concert performance.

The full Band (which is full of huge Jazz stars in their own right)  is:

Piano: Rob Barron 
Bass: Alec Dankworth 
Drums: Matt Skelton 
Percussion: Dickie Horne 
Soprano & Alto Saxophones: Tommy Andrews 
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone & Flute: Rob Cope 
Bass Clarinet & Baritone Saxophone: Tom Smith 
Trumpet 1: James Davison 
Trumpet 2: Alex Ridout 
Trombone 1: Tom Green 
Trombone 2: Vij Prakash 
Bass Trombone: Yusuf Narçin 

Concert at 7pm

Tickets £30, £23, £15