Cork Midsummer Festival gets Big Bold and Brassy for summer solstice

BOLD as BRASS
Elizabeth Fort, Barrack Street
June 21, performance times: 4.30pm, 6.pm and 8.00pm

FEATURING SOLOISTS: JASON YARDE - CAROLYN GOODWIN (SAXOPHONES) - MICHAEL MULLINS (TRUMPET) - RODDY O’ KEEFFE (TROMBONE) - ROBERT O’ BRIEN (TUBA) - ALEX PETCU (PERCUSSION)
Music Generation Cork City presents the Irish Premier of BOLD as BRASS, a large scale, hair-raising musical event in partnership with the Arts Council, Cork Midsummer Festival, Cork City Council and CIT Cork School of Music, funded under the Music Generation/Arts Council Partnership Programme.

To be performed in Cork’s historic Elizabeth Fort for the summer solstice, 100 musicians of all ages and playing ability will take to the stage bringing to the city the powerful sounds of brass, saxophone and percussion in what promises to be one of the most exciting highlights of this year's Cork Midsummer Festival.

Composed by UK saxophonist Jason Yarde as the largest of 21 commissions by Serious for its 21st EFG London Jazz Festival in November 2013, BOLD as BRASS will receive its Irish premiere as part of the closing events of the 2015 Cork Midsummer Festival.

Joining Jason Yarde and completing this large scale and dynamic ensemble, soloists Carolyn Goodwin (saxophone), Alex Petcu (percussion), Michael Mullins (trumpet), Robert O’ Brien (tuba) and Roddy O’ Keeffe (trombone) will lead the performance taking the audience on a wild journey through jazz styles and brass band traditions bringing Elizabeth Fort to life!

According to Margaret O’Sullivan, Music Generation Cork City Coordinator, “This is a first for Cork City, facilitating different generations of brass players together, including professional and amateur, and beginners alongside advanced players, in a new piece that draws on world brass traditions from military to folk to carnival. Having seen Jason Yarde in action at the EFG London Jazz Festival, we knew his combination of brilliant musicianship, courage and sense of fun would provide a fantastic experience for musicians in Ireland. We are delighted that the Arts Council/Music Generation partnership, Cork Midsummer Festival, Cork City Council and CIT Cork School of Music have all supported it, and we look forward to working with our partners on this exciting project.”

Speaking about the event, Kath Gorman, Curator of the Cork Midsummer Festival said, “The summer solstice will be a very special event in Cork this year, with 100 musicians set to mark the longest day of the year with a unique outdoor concert in the historical Elizabeth Fort. The event will be one of the many highlights of this year’s reimagined Cork Midsummer Festival, and is a first for the city of Cork. We would encourage people to book early to avoid missing out!”

For more information visit :

http://www.corkmidsummer.com/
www.facebook.com/boldasbrasscork

Editors Notes:
BOLD as BRASS Cork is funded under the Music Generation/Arts Council Partnership Programme and presented by Music Generation Cork City in partnership with the Arts Council and Cork Midsummer Festival. Supported by Cork City Council and CIT Cork School of Music.

BOLD as BRASS was originally commissioned by Serious for the EFG London Jazz Festival, receiving its premiere performance at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, led by composer Jason Yarde (saxophone, composer) in November 2013, one of 21 commissions for the festival’s 21st birthday. Serious is a UK based music production and resource organisation which specializes in large scale events, touring and new commissions.www.serious.org.uk

Music Generation Cork City is part of Music Generation, Ireland’s national music education programme, initiated by Music Network, co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds and The Department of Education and Skills, in partnership with Cork City Council, Cork ETB, The HSE, CIT, UCC and Cork City Partnership.

Composer, arranger, producer, musical director and saxophonist Jason Yarde writes music that has been described as powerful, spiritual, evocative, rhapsodic, hair-raising and formidable. Jason began playing alto and soprano saxophones with Jazz Warriors while still a teenager and then went on to MD this landmark orchestra, becoming one of its principal writers. He has a BA (Hons) in Performance Arts from Middlesex University - a degree that incorporated a year at William Paterson Collage in New Jersey where he studied orchestration, studio engineering, jazz performance and saxophone.

As well as composing for his own performance projects, Jason has written for dance, music theatre, opera and TV. He is also a brilliant musical director, and his highly distinctive arranging style reflects the numerous artists and ensembles he has worked with. In addition to composing, arranging and performing, Jason Yarde has enjoyed much success as a record producer. He has recently completed the debut CD by rising star UK jazz pianist Gwilym Simcock and he is one of the foremost producers at UK independent Jazz label Dune Records.
Further information about Jason Yarde is available on his website:http://www.joyandears.com/BIOG(1004350).htm

ENDS