NIGEL KENNEDY – ELLINGTON / BACH TOUR

Bad Worishofen, Germany – September 2010

I was delighted to be asked back to perform with Nigel and the band, for the final concert of the Ellington / Bach tour in Bad Worishofen, Germany. Another phenomenal, challenging and creative week!

It was amazing again to see the constant drive and energy of Nigel, to motivate every individual and constantly pushing the music. It was incredible also to see the live, dynamic energy as he was accompanied by Cora Lunny for the Bach double, as they dipped and dived through the music, viscously spurring each other on.

Such an honour to play with Nigel and each of the individual musicians and to have the opportunity to take part in such an inspiring, progressive collaboration.

NIGEL KENNEDY – ELLINGTON / BACH TOUR

Plovdiv, Bulgaria - September 2010

Playing with Nigel Kennedy and his killer band including: Orphy Robinson (vibes), Doug Boyle (guitar), Tomasz Grzegorski (sax), Krzysztof Dziedzic (drums), Adam Kowalewski (bass).

This was an experience I will never forget playing with Nigel Kennedy, one of my childhood heros, who I’ve looked up to since a young age for his passion and unwavering dedication to the music, regardless of any conventional dictations of style; breaking boundaries to communicate music to all types of people, and has been a huge inspiration to me.

Performing in the most stunning amphitheatre with the Philharmonic Orchestra; during sound check with music fluttering over the stage (as sudden huge gusts of wind conveniently arrived just as the orchestra did!) it was a real privilege to be part of such a creative concert.

An intense week of rehearsals in the charming, cobbled streets of Plovdiv, culminated in a rollercoaster of a concert, breathing new life into music from one of the jazz legends Duke Ellington.