Ascension Jazzmass

Ascension Jazzmass by Rod Paton

Tickets available now online via https://www.breconchoirfestival.co.uk/

Brecon Choir Festival 2023

Brecon Music and Jazz fans – don’t miss this!

The Ascension Jazzmass is a unique work in the jazz/contemporary music repertoire. Scored for soloist, 4-part choir, organ, jazz ensemble, and 21 xylophones it provides an opportunity to bring together a wide range of the community in a piece which is uplifting, moving and celebratory. “A moving testament to the human spirit at its open-hearted best” (Jazz Journal International)

The absolute cream of jazz students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama will be performing as part of Rod Paton’s Ascension Jazzmass, the opener for the Brecon Choir Festival in Brecon Cathedral on Thursday July 20^th

Originally a commission to celebrate 150 years of Bishop Otter College this explicitly celebratory work is now being performed as Brecon Cathedral celebrates its own 100 year history!

Coren Sithers (soprano sax), Dan Vause (alto sax), Paul Mason (tenor sax/flute), Matthew Smith (French horn), Tom Williams (congas) will be joined by celebrated RWCMD piano professor Huw Warren, one of the UK’s finest jazz pianists, Paula Gardiner (head of jazz) and drummer Liz Exell to form a crack ensemble.

The music of Ascension draws upon the whole gamut of jazz history – swing, latin, bebop, funk, blues and ballads and combines with contemporary classical styles to create a “kaleidoscope of sound and colour!”

With this outstanding band in full swing plus the divine vocals of Vivien Ellis, Stephen Power on the organ and the choir as well as the “xylophonics” creating a backdrop of gamelan style texture the performance is promising to be a very special event indeed.

Tickets available now online via https://www.breconchoirfestival.co.uk/

or in person from Found Gallery, The Bulwark, Brecon. Also on the night.