Gilad Atzmon’s acclaimed Orient House Ensemble and the Sigamos String Quartet on the road with their new project. This features interpretations of Charlie Parker’s legendary strings recording, as well as new works by Gilad. The combination of Atzmon’s unparalleled bebop virtuosity with stunning strings arrangements promises to create a special performance.
The project is a product of a growing collaboration between Gilad Atzmon and Ros Stephen. Back in 2006 Gilad joined Ros’ Tango Siempre for two tours and an album project. They then decided to join forces and to bring 'Bird with Strings' to live.
Gilad with Strings is touring the UK at the moment. In February-March the ensemble will be touring Europe.
Ros studied for a degree and PhD at Bristol University which she completed in 1998. In addition to her work with Tango Siempre, Ros has performed with groups such as the Rosetta Ensemble (string quartet), the Stephen-Tempest duo (violin/cello), Ixion Ensemble (contemporary classical), Enrosque (violin/accordion), the Bath Pump Room Trio, the Emerald Ensemble, the London Mozart Players, Bristol Old Vic, Shivanova, Theatre Alibi and Homespun.
Giald With Strings -2009 Fall Tour
26 Aug - Snape Maltings 1728 687 110
10 Sep - Stables, Wavendon 01908 280800
12 Sep - Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea 01792 602060
18 Sep - Wakefield Jazz 01977 680542
29 Sep - Bedales Jazz, Petersfield 01730 711511
21 Oct - Wiltshire Music Centre 01225 860100
29 Oct - RNCM Manchester 0161 907 5555
30 Oct- Belfast International Queens Jazz Festival
31 Oct Sage Gateshead 0191 443 4661
6 Nov - Cadogan Hall, London 020 7730 4500
8 Nov - Colchester Arts Centre 01206 500900
21 Nov - The Shed, North Yorkshire 01653 668494
28 Nov - Norwich Playhouse 01603 598598
15 Jan - Junction, Cambridge 0 1223 511 511
16 Jan - Lincoln Drill Hall 01522 873894
22 Jan - Birmingham Jazz 0121 224 7380
"Atzmon's fluid lyricism is in full flow on songbook classics and worldly originals. But as sweet romance morphs to modernist uncertainty, the bittersweet balance and rich emotional palette equally impress." Financial Times ***** March 2009
"Gilad Atzmon, the expat Israeli saxophonist/clarinetist, combines thrilling jazz musicianship with a maverick political intelligence" Guardian ****
"Like the best of albums" Jazzwise **** March 2009
"Atzmon always manages to tell a story" Uncut **** March 2009
"One of the finest alto players around, Gilad pays his respects to Bird i...It's striking how similar Gilad's sweet, open-throated sound is to Parker's, but as you'd expect from the fiery philosopher-turned-Blockhead, this is no tribute album." BBC Music Magazine March 2009
"Maybe because he's such a wild card himself, saxophonist Atzmon plays Charlie Parker with a perfect mix of bluster and vulnerability." The Independent March 2009
"Atzmon is surely the hardest-gigging man in British jazz...the music here is subtle, ambiguous, often beautiful - and features a saxophonist playing deep from the heart." The Times **** March 2009
"An avid Charlie Parker disciple..." Evening Standard March 2009
"This is an outstanding album." Allaboutjazz March 2009
"is almost like a suite, with one track leading into the next" Scotland on Sunday**** March 2009
"A genuine expression of love" Scotsman**** March 2009
"The fiery Atzmon took his show from a demure chamber-music lilt to a Coltrane-inspired roar and back, and the crowd was right there through it all." Guardian Live Review ****
"A delightful evening of artfully crafted music that was rich with emotional complexity." Financial Times March 2009
"Musical genius and comic" Leicester Mercury March 2009
"Work of beauty, power and intense sonic vision" Morning Star April 2009
"Atzmon is a loose cannon: a larger than life figure with an almost overpowering musical personality... it's as perfect a jazz marriage as you could wish for"
Phil Johnson, independent on Sunday Jazz Critic
"Atzmon is a hell of a talent...essential listen for all contemporary music fans. Atzmon has done what all the best jazzers do and put his own stamp on his chosen material. This may be loving tribute to a mythic past but it is one with an unmistakably contemporary edge" The Jazz Man ****
"this is far from a retro exercise in simply re-creating the past" Socialist Review
