Ribble Valley International Piano Week

The world of jazz piano is well represented at Ribble Valley International Piano Week in July with a rare solo appearance by Gwilym Simcock.

The festival runs from 15th until the 18th July and takes place at The Croston Theatre in Westholme School, Blackburn. Gwilym Simcock will perform on July 16th at 7.45pm, with a pre-concert talk with Gwilym and Steve Berry at 6.30pm.

Gwilym Simcock is one of the UK’s most gifted pianists and composers, able to move effortlessly between jazz and classical styles and also to inhabit both at once. His skill in dovetailing different musical traditions, and his dazzling keyboard skills will, we’re sure, result in one of the most exciting performances we’ve ever heard at the Piano Week. It is a little different for us, undoubtedly – but we think you’ll be enthralled by his astonishing talent. You may hear glimpses of Ravel or of Stravinsky as he takes us on an original journey through jazz standards and his own compositions.

Visit the Ribble Valley Piano Week website for more details.

Band on the Wall presents: Creative Orchestra, October 12th

Sunday October 12th
Band on the Wall, Manchester
Doors at 7pm
FREE

A new large ensemble led by renowned bassist Steve Berry and featuring 16 of the UK's finest young musicians will premiere a whole performance of new work at Band on the Wall this Sunday.

Three weeks of composition and 3 days of rehearsal at Band on the Wall will culminate in this performance which is part of Walls of Sound, a partnership between Band on the Wall and Brighter Sound and funded by the Arts Council.

Creative Orchestra combines the rich acoustic sound of the classical chamber orchestra with the expressive freedom that comes with improvised and collaborative music making. A combination of musicians from classical, jazz and popular music backgrounds create a fresh, new and exciting take on the orchestra...

For more information and to find out who the musicians are, visit the Band on the Wall website.