The first event we’re excited about takes place on Thursday, 9 February. It’s at First Baptist Church from 7.30pm and is billed as Bold As… which, unsurprisingly, features brass musicians. These however are very special musicians – the quintet are all virtuosos in their own right.
“Canadian Brass is well-known for its varied and vibrant programming,” says Chuck Daellenbach, tuba player extraordinaire.
“Listeners will of course hear Bach, but they will also get to sample new Brahms Waltzes from the Brass’ Brahms On Brass CD and many titles from their new best-selling Canadian Brass Takes Flight CD on the Steinway label. The title tune, Flight of the Bumblebee, defies logic in its speed and virtuosity.
“And as a special gift to the Cayman audience who can’t simply run down to Lincoln Center to see a ballet, we will be performing, and dancing, our Tribute to the Ballet.”
The original five brass were all in Toronto 40 years ago dreaming about playing concerts as a brass quintet, says Chuck. From those humble beginnings the ensemble slowly and carefully set the standard for brass the world over. At this point in time the ensemble has become an institution unto itself and has attracted the most talented young superstars to join founder Chuck Daellenbach in launching the group into its next 40 years.
“The defining moments for Canadian Brass have to be performing the main stage of Carnegie Hall in 1980, being the first ensemble to perform in China at the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1977 and performing on Hunan TV last year for over half a billion viewers.”
And whilst the outfit tours worldwide regularly, rather than seeing differences in audiences Chuck says that they are struck with how similar the reaction and response is.
“There is a universality apparent in people enjoying our performances. The range of emotion is also very striking in that we see strong response to rousing tango or early jazz as well as dramatic response to our Brahms Chorale No. 10 with heart-rending performance by our new trombonist Achilles.”
The outfit is looking forward to its stay in Cayman, of course.
“Needless to say, five visitors and their wives coming out of the cold, cold north are already dreaming about relaxing in the sun thinking about their friends back home shovelling snow! The first thing we have all agreed to do is take a long run along the shore.
“We are delighted that there are educational opportunities to meet with young players while we are there. The Cayman Arts Festival has organised two events for us to work with teachers and students before our concert Thursday night. Our trip to the Caymans wraps up an incredible six weeks for us that will have included an appearance at the new Upper West Side Apple store in New York city, several appearances at the NAMM convention in Los Angeles and a concert at the storied La Poisson Rouge club in New York City to introduce our new Takes Flight CD.”
Weekender’s good buddy Glen Inanga, festival director, is also looking forward to the brass outfit’s appearance.
“They are simply legendary – over 2 million albums since their inception 20 years ago says it all, particularly in the world of classical music. A truly first class act,” he tells us.
The event is sponsored by Appleby and Coutts. Tickets are CI$30/US$37.50 at caymanboxoffice.com or CI$35 at the door.
Classic-al pop
Another concert we’re very much looking forward to is the free community event at Camana Bay, Breaking the Barrier – From Bach to Billie Jean. This brings together violin genius Charles Yang and pianist Peter Dugan, who together are charged with the mighty task of fusing the worlds of classical and pop.
Expect works by Ravel, Sarasate, Queen, Paganini, Rachmaninov and Yang himself. These two classically trained musicians will embrace the diverse power of all music forms in an unforgettable music listening experience.
Sponsored by Island Heritage and Camana Bay, this is going to be spectacular.
“This will certainly inspire many young people about what can happen when one thinks outside the box (genre wise) without compromising on musical and artistic substance – all in the hands of a virtuoso rising star violinist,” explains Glen.
Got Blues?
Guess what Blues in the Church is all about and where it’s taking place? Yep, First Baptist hosts the Juilliard Jazz Ensemble on Saturday, 11 February, at 7.30pm and it’s a true showcase of gospel, jazz, hymns and Mississippi Delta history.
From suffering and struggle to triumph and rejoicing, this music will take you on a journey that demonstrates the power of blues and its connection to religion. Special guests will be the University College of Cayman Islands Choir.
Rodney Jones leads the Ensemble for this performance. Jones has been hailed by guitar master George Benson as “a legend among musicians,” and has worked with many of the world’s Pop, R and B, Blues and Jazz legends, including Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Kahn, James Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, and The Manhattan Transfer. He is on faculty at The Juilliard School teaching jazz guitar.
On saxophone, Jordan Pettay, has won five Downbeat Student Music Awards since 2007, has shared the stage with Terence Blanchard and Benny Golson and has performed at prestigious jazz venues, such as the Blue Note in New York.
The winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition in 2011, pianist Kris Bowers has performed for notables including Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and President Barack Obama, and has recorded and performed alongside an extensive list of pre-eminent artists.
Bassist David Baron has also performed or recorded with numerous jazz greats, was a semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Bass Competition, and has toured Russia with vocalist Carla Cook and saxophonist Bill Evans. He has studied with many great jazz artists, and with renowned classical bassist James VanDemark.
Currently a drum student of Carl Allen at the Juilliard School, James Macbride is the recipient of a long list of prestigious awards and scholarships, and has featured in a numerous jazz festivals across North America. He will shortly appear alongside Wynton Marsalis at the Monterey Jazz Festival.
“This is highly relevant to the religious context in Cayman,” says Glen Inanga, ”with an extra dose of artistic sophistication. UCCI Choir will collaborate with the Juilliard Jazz Ensemble (back by popular demand) and I will not be surprised if the choir members are transformed by this experience.
This event is proudly sponsored by the Caymanian Compass. Tickets are CI$30/US$37.50 at caymanboxoffice.com or CI$35 at the door.
A season ticket for Bold As, Blues in the Church, Seoul Sisters and A Big Song and Dance is available for adults online only for CI$100/US$125 at caymanboxoffice.com
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