Music in the moonlight (especially in January) would normally be a very cold experience, but in the shadow of Luke Jerram's 'Museum of the Moon' sculpture, saxophonist Tim Boniface presented a wholly enchanting evening called 'Jazz in the Moonlight' at St Albans Cathedral.
The huge nave of this incredible cathedral resonated in a way probably never imagined through the centuries, thanks to St Alban's inventive Adult Learning programme. Using the immense structure suspended above players and audience as inspiration, Tim and his quartet raised a hat to some classic jazz standards such as: East of the Sun (and West of the Moon), Polka Dots and Moonbeams and What a Little Moonlight Can Do.
The acoustics of a cathedral that was never intended as a live music venue - let alone a home for jazz - coped brilliantly, largely thanks to the virtuosity of the players, as well as the deft acoustic arrangements of the sound team.
The huge nave of this incredible cathedral resonated in a way probably never imagined through the centuries, thanks to St Alban's inventive Adult Learning programme. Using the immense structure suspended above players and audience as inspiration, Tim and his quartet raised a hat to some classic jazz standards such as: East of the Sun (and West of the Moon), Polka Dots and Moonbeams and What a Little Moonlight Can Do.
The acoustics of a cathedral that was never intended as a live music venue - let alone a home for jazz - coped brilliantly, largely thanks to the virtuosity of the players, as well as the deft acoustic arrangements of the sound team.
Tim's tenor and alto saxes were joined by James Pearson (piano), Jon Ormston (drums) and Malcolm Creese (bass). Together, this quartet laid claim to the moon - whether paper, over Bourbon Street, in Vermont or blue. The audience packed out the cathedral's nave and the musical delights seemed both calming and exciting.
It was a real delight that Tim included two movements of his Psalter suite which has finally been recorded and will be released on album later in the year. For those who missed the January 2024 live premiere of the suite (also in St Alban's Cathedral), that album will be worth pre-ordering.
Comments
Post a Comment