Guildhall Jazz Festival: Zara McFarlane

Nikki Yeoh’s seminal multimedia work ‘Speechmik X-Ploration’ promotes a message of unity and plurality, which remains poignant today. Over a quarter of a century after it was first commissioned by BBC Radio 3 and Bath Festival in 1997, a new reorchestration of the piece will see Yeoh joined on stage by an 18-piece ensemble from the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO).

Inspired by the music of Hermeto Pascoal and his experiments with speech, Yeoh uses an original poem as the central motif. Through the piece the poem is repeated 6 times, in 6 different languages, each masterfully accompanied by Yeoh on piano. The cadence, melodies and rhythms of each interpretation compose a rich tapestry of language and sound on which the ensemble builds, to create an ever-expanding sonic narrative.

Complementing this re-interpretation of ‘Speechmik’ is a brand-new companion piece, ‘Nucleus’, especially commissioned by NYJO and dedicated to legendary UK trumpet player and educator, Ian Carr, who was a major influence in Yeoh's musical upbringing, as well as a driving force in progressive UK jazz, fronting the jazz-rock band of the same name.

The expanded line-up for this performance, including strings and woodwind, shows Yeoh and NYJO re-examining the textural and stylistic boundaries of large ensemble jazz in contemporary UK society.

"I am delighted to be commissioned by NYJO to compose a new work, Nucleus, which is dedicated to the Trumpeter, Composer, Writer and Educator Ian Carr (21 April 1933- 25 February 2009) with whom I studied. Writing for such a powerful ensemble as NYJO is a phenomenal experience, and a rare opportunity for me to do what I love. This piece is also dedicated to all of the Jazz Educators far and wide who give up their weekends to the service of selfless dedication to the next generation of young musicians." - Nikki Yeoh

Nikki Yeoh is a creative free spirit who, although deeply rooted in the language of improvisation, is open to a range of music that leans as much to populism as it does high art. Since her emergence on the British jazz scene in the mid-90s, Nikki has proved to be an improviser, composer and all-round adventurer who has continually sought to broaden her musical horizons.
Those who have seen Yeoh will testify to her virtuosity on the keyboard. Drawing on pioneers from the worlds of jazz, classical music and soul, above all the likes of Herbie Hancock, Alexander Scriabin and Stevie Wonder, Yeoh has developed a style that can move from explosive rhythmic energy to understated lyricism at a moment’s notice. Her ability to conjure up the most vividly evocative of moods by way of subtle, probing harmony has been proven time and again.

Also known as the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, NYJO is a registered charity dedicated to making jazz and creative music-making more accessible to early-career musicians, young people, and audiences across the UK. Throughout its activity, NYJO seeks to create a meeting-ground between the established and the experimental – the past, present, and future – to build bespoke artistic programmes, catering to lifelong and new jazz fans.

This brand-new ensemble led by jazz drummer/composer Finn Genockey will feature some of the most exciting up-and-coming jazz musicians currently studying at or recent graduates of London’s conservatoires: Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Royal Academy of Music and Trinity Laban. This concert will feature some of the students’ compositions for jazz orchestra as well as Bob Brookmeyer’s “Get Well Soon” suite alongside guest appearances from key faculty members across the colleges.

Finn Genockey Director

Aitzi Cofre-Real Vocals

Charis Lai Cor Anglais

Mike Anning [AS / SS / Cl] Reed 1

Tom Jarvis [AS / SS / Cl] Reed 2

Mark Lockheart [TS / SS / Cl] Reed 3

Matt Redmond [TS / SS] Reed 4

George Shrapnell [BS / BCl] Reed 5

Nick Smart Guest Trumpet

Brinley Heywood-Snell Trumpet 1

Josh Short Trumpet 2

Ewan Parkin Trumpet 3

Jack Ross Trumpet 4

Ed Hogben Trumpet 5

James Wade-Sired Trombone 1:

Joe Evans Trombone 2

Matt Seddon Trombone 3

Olivia Hughes Trombone 4 [Bass]

Joe Garland Guitar

Scottie Thompson Synth

Nikki Iles Piano

Matt Hollick Bass

Matt Skelton Drums

Josephine Davies conductor, composer

Mike Chillingworth alto/soprano saxophone
Rachel Cohen alto saxophone
Helena Kay tenor saxophone
Adam Bishop tenor saxophone/flute/clarinet
Tamar Osborn baritone saxophone/bass clarinet
Noel Langley trumpet/flugelhorn
Rueben Fowler trumpet/flugelhorn
Nick Smart trumpet/flugelhorn
Robbie Robson trumpet/flugelhorn
Anna Drysdale horn
Olli Martin trombone
Maddie Dowdeswell trombone
Eddie Curtis bass trombone
Alcyona Mick piano
Dave Whitford double bass
Shane Forbes drums

The Ensō circle is a Zen Buddhist symbol, traditionally drawn in a single brushstroke as a meditative practice celebrating the beauty of incompletion and imperfection, and the polarity of movement and stillness. It is an inspirational tool for award-winning saxophonist and composer Josephine Davies as she plays with the balance of written music and space for improvisation. Deeply inspired by a range of composers, from Vince Mendoza to Stravinsky to Maria Schneider, Josephine’s writing focuses on flowing melodies, rich harmonies and creative use of instrumental textures. This performance will feature her recent work ‘The Celtic Wheel of the Year Suite’, a series of eight pieces that celebrates the natural cycles of the Earth.

Multi-award-winning singer-songwriter Zara McFarlane is known for her unique sound melding influences from Jazz, Reggae, Folk and Nu-Soul.

The twice Jazz FM vocalist of the year winner has led her band in festivals from British Summer Time (Hyde Park), Field Day and BoomTown Festivals to prestigious international Jazz festivals and venues such as Ronnie Scotts, The Jazz Cafe, The Royal Albert Hall, Love Supreme (UK), Rochester Jazz (US), Cully Jazz (CH), St Lucia Jazz Festivals and SXSW (US).

With a voice that has been described as ‘a caressing voice of sparkling clarity,’ Zara is an in-demand vocalist internationally and has performed with acclaimed musicians including Hugh Masekela, Gregory Porter, Gary Bartz, Ernest Ranglin, Shabaka Hutchings, Moses Boyd and Ezra Collective and collaborated with esteemed producers Lil’ Louie Vega, Swindle, Floating Points, Osunlade and Dennis Bovell. Zara has also worked in the theatre with Royal Shakespeare Company and Glyndebourne Opera and worked as a music educator at conservatories including Guildhall School of Music & Drama and BIMM.