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Hammonds celebrate unique partnership

The recent BBC Music Day shone a spotlight on the unique musical partnership between Hammonds Saltaire Band and renowned Indian musician Shri Sriram.

Shri Sriram
 

The BBC Music Day recently took place across the UK, with both the Bradford Junior Band and Hammonds Saltaire Band taking part in high profile events in Bradford in west Yorkshire.

Held at Centenary Square, it featured a host of ensembles and bands of all ages, including more than 700 school children from 51 schools providing a great musical atmosphere.

Playing their part

Playing their part were Bradford Junior Band and Hammonds Saltaire under Morgan Griffiths, who works as a peripatetic tutor in the area for the Bradford Music Service.

Throughout the day BBC Radio Leeds broadcasted highlights of the event, which included an interview with Morgan talking about the two bands and how they provided a vital opportunity for youngsters to experience brass band music making.

Cross culture collaboration

Meanwhile, BBC Radio 3 also featured a special broadcast of 'In Tune' live from the city's Kala Sangam Arts Centre, which premiered the unique cross-culture collaboration that is taking place between Hammonds Saltaire and Indian musician Shri Sriram (above).

Shri is a renowned professional composer, musician and producer who wrote the music for the Indian release of the film, 'Life of Pi' and who has remixed work for Dela Soul, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Kronos Quartet and Asha Bhosle.

Shri is a renowned professional composer, musician and producer who wrote the music for the Indian release of the film, 'Life of Pi' and who has remixed work for Dela Soul, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Kronos Quartet and Asha Bhosle4BR

Premiere

The amazing musical link will be premiered with their first public performance together at the Durham International Festival on 19th July.

As Shri plays intricate Indian melodies on his handcrafted bass, he'll be joined by the band under Morgan Griffiths alongside saxophone and bass clarinet legend Ben Castle.

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