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Foden's conjure up Spirit of Mingus

The great jazz icon Charles Mingus has inspired composer Andy Scott and Fodens.

Fodens
 

The latest collaboration between Foden’s Band and Composer in Residence Andy Scott will be heard at the RNCM Festival of Brass this weekend.

World premiere

‘Spirit of Mingus’, commissioned in 2011 by Foden’s as part of the ongoing relationship with the composer, will receive its world premiere under the baton of principal conductor Mike Fowles in a performance entitled ‘Band Classics...and all that Jazz’.

Insight

In addition there will an opportunity to gain insight into the new composition in a pre-concert event at 6.30pm, where Festival Artistic Director Paul Hindmarsh will be joined in conversation with Andy and the other composers whose work is being premièred during the festival.

The Foden’s Band concert programme will also include works by Wilfred Heaton, Philip Sparke, John Ireland and Jim Stephenson, conducted by Howard Snell, with guest artist, Rex Richardson.

The Foden’s musicians responded extremely positively to the composition from the very first rehearsal, and I’ve had lots of positive feedback sinceComposer, Andy Scott

Repeat

‘Spirit of Mingus’ will receive a repeat performance the following week in Northern Ireland where Andy Scott will join Foden’s Band on stage for a tenor saxophone improvisation as part of the performance of his new work.

Positive feedback

Andy told 4BR: "I’m delighted with the band’s reaction to the new piece. The Foden’s musicians responded extremely positively to the composition from the very first rehearsal, and I’ve had lots of positive feedback since."

He added: "I’m really looking forward to hearing the world premiere performance at the RNCM Festival of Brass, and to sharing the stage with Foden’s Band in a second performance in Northern Ireland the following week."

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