Manchester Jazz Festival - Ben Cottrell: New Seeing (world Première) at RNCM, Theatre

The sound of a string ensemble is something that we all recognise, but New Seeing takes a completely different approach to writing for strings within a jazz(ish) setting. Jazz(ish) because Ben Cottrell’s writing for the Beats & Pieces Big Band in particular has always combined traditional jazz elements with inspirations taken from a multitude of musical styles.

The instrumentation for Ben’s mjf-commissioned work premiered tonight is inspired by the forces used by arranger Eddie Sauter on the classic Stan Getz album Focus (itself inspired by Bartók). But do not expect a similar soundworld – here the ensemble has been approached from a very different perspective. Propelled by the energy of doubled-up bass and drums and with subtle live electronics lending the sound a 21st century nuance, New Seeing will be familiar yet at the same time completely unexpected....

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The sound of a string ensemble is something that we all recognise, but New Seeing takes a completely different approach to writing for strings within a jazz(ish) setting. Jazz(ish) because Ben Cottrell’s writing for the Beats & Pieces Big Band in particular has always combined traditional jazz elements with inspirations taken from a multitude of musical styles.

The instrumentation for Ben’s mjf-commissioned work premiered tonight is inspired by the forces used by arranger Eddie Sauter on the classic Stan Getz album Focus (itself inspired by Bartók). But do not expect a similar soundworld – here the ensemble has been approached from a very different perspective. Propelled by the energy of doubled-up bass and drums and with subtle live electronics lending the sound a 21st century nuance, New Seeing will be familiar yet at the same time completely unexpected.

Ben’s orchestral arrangements have adorned the work of Laura Mvula, Everything Everything and Goldie; Beats & Pieces, since their début at mjf 2008, have received awards at home and abroad alongside consistent critical and audience acclaim.

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