WALLEN is an experience — it is a show that combines thrilling and charismatic music. The inspiration behind this show is the telling of a remarkable and unique story of two of the UK’s brightest musical talents, brother and sister Byron and Errollyn Wallen.
Saturday 23 May 2009 at 7.30pm
www.richmix.org.uk/aandc_wallen.htm
Tickets £15 / £12 concs.
A musical journey by Errollyn and Byron Wallen
For their first duet together, Byron and Errollyn bring together audiences from classical, jazz, world and popular musics.
Saturday 23 May 2009 at 7.30pm
www.richmix.org.uk/aandc_wallen.htm
Tickets £15, £12 concs
On sale now at Rich Mix Box Office: 020 7613 7498
Online booking at www.viewtickets.co.uk
WALLEN is an experience — it is a show that combines thrilling and charismatic music. The inspiration behind this show is the telling of a remarkable and unique story of two of the UK’s brightest musical talents, brother and sister Byron and Errollyn Wallen.
A story that has never before been told. The show will involve an endless stream of music against a backdrop of images taking the audience on a journey to Belize (their country of origin), to London, to New York; crucial marking places in the Wallens’ personal and professional lives.
Their unconventional upbringing forced them to re-define and challenge notions of belonging, distance, and boundaries. These have also been important driving forces in their music-making.
WALLEN will be the first time that Byron and Errollyn have collaborated together as a duet. In this unforgettable show, Errollyn (piano/voice) and Byron (trumpet/flute) will bring together audiences from classical, jazz, world and popular musics.
BYRON WALLEN →
‘One of the most innovative, exciting and original trumpet players alive’ (Jazzwise).
Byron is widely recognised as a seminal figure in world jazz constantly travelling the world recording, teaching and performing. He was nominated for the MOBO awards under the category best jazz musician for his album “Earth Roots”. He co-wrote and toured with the band Red Snapper on the album ‘Making Bones” and toured with them as special guests of The Prodigy. He also collaborated with Talvin Singh on his MOBO award-winning album ‘OK’.
Byron was awarded the BBC innovation in Jazz award in 2003 for his ‘Indigo’ album and his South Bank Centre commission for the Langston Hughes Centenary celebration at the Poetry International Festival. He has performed with rap outfits such as The Roots, Digable Planets and Us3. His trumpet has appeared alongside African pioneers such as Hugh Masekela, Manu Dibango and Ammampondo. He has also worked with Lonnie Liston Smith, Ronnie Laws and Chaka Khan.
Byron appeared in the paramount picture ‘The talented Mr Ripley” where he played a jazz trumpeter and also appeared in ‘House Of Elliott’. He wrote music for the Warner Brothers ‘Troy’ as well as other independent films such as “Pen Pals” for ‘Over the Moon’ productions. His recordings span from Craig David, to George Benson and he has performed alongside Wynton Marsalis and Freddie Hubbard.
The past few years have seen Byron tour and record with immense Jazz legends: Sam Rivers 2006, Andrew Hill tours 2006 – 2007, Jack Dejohnette 2007, McCoy Tyner 2007. He has also been working with Gregory Isaacs, Ken Boothe and Mikey Spice pioneers of the reggae world. In 2007 Byron released another solo album ‘Meeting Ground’ album that was nominated for MOBO and 2 BBC jazz awards. His current work includes a commission from the British Science Museum for an installation called ‘The Question Room’.
See:
ERROLLYN WALLEN →
‘The renaissance woman of contemporary British music’ (The Observer).
Awarded an MBE in 2007 for services to music, Errollyn is a composer, classical pianist and singer..
Recent works include: All the People of the World (text by Jackie Kay) for chorus, soloists and orchestra, performed by the Hallé Orchestra, Bridgewater Hall, 2008; the oratorio Carbon 12 – A Choral Symphony commissioned by Welsh National Opera, premiered at Cardiff’s Millennium Centre, 2008 and touring in 2009; English Folk Songs: From Eleanor to Sweet William (text by Wesley Stace) for Birmingham Contemporary Music Group; original music and sound design for Hampstead Theatre’s production of Private Lives (directed by Lucy Bailey) ;Cello Concerto and Concerto Grosso commissioned by Orchestra of the Swan, 2008, with whom Errollyn is Composer in Association; The Silent Twins (librettist April de Angelis) for Almeida Opera, premiered in 2007; Mighty River premiered by the Philharmonia Orchestra, 2007; Spirit Symphony commissioned by the BBC (winner of the BBC Radio 3 Listeners/ British Composer Award, 2005); Another America: Earth commissioned by The Royal Opera House (broadcast on BBC television). Her music also featured in the opening festival for the new London venue Kings Place in autumn 2008 Her recordings feature her solo performance as well as with artists ranging from Courtney Pine to the Brodsky Quartet.
Posts include Composer-in-Residence at Dartington International Music Festival, Huddersfield Festival and Trinity College of Music. Errollyn is currently Visiting Composer-in-Residence at Birmingham Conservatoire and Research Associate at Middlesex University’s ResCen, contributing to the book Navigating the Unknown: The creative process in contemporary performing arts.
See: www.errollynwallen.com
Press Contact: Claire Nouvel on 020 7613 7496 or claire.nouvel@richmix.org.uk
Rich Mix | 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, LONDON E1 6LA | www.richmix.org.uk
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