Guildhall Big Band proves themselves in a bright, dynamic, and energetic concert with acclaimed pianist and composer Helen Sung.
In recent years, there has been an increased collective interest in jazz and swing music, with voices like Raye and Samara Joy arriving in the public eye. Sunday’s Guildhall Big Band concert at Milton Court, directed by Matt Skelton, was further proof of the widespread belief that jazz is more alive than ever.
NYC-based pianist and composer Helen Sung featured in the concert on the 9th of March, bringing her own perspective to approaching jazz in a big-band setting. Originally from Houston, Texas, Sung was a classically trained pianist before venturing into jazz. Through experience learning and working with acclaimed jazz musicians such as Clark Terry, Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Regina Carter, and Cécile McLorin Salvant, the Steinway Artist (inducted 2020) has gone on to establish an impressive career for herself, performing at iconic festivals and venues like Carnegie Hall, Monterey and Newport, as well as collaborating with artists and institutions including the Mingus Big Band, Columbia University and the Julliard School, among others.
The concert featured orchestrations in a variety of jazz styles, from an energetic and exceptionally executed opening with Filthy McNasty by Horace Silver to a delightful end of the first act with Joe Henderson’s The Kicker – all of the evening’s pieces tastefully arranged by Sung.
The second act showcased Sung’s Portraits in Jazz Suite, paying homage to inspirational figures from the jazz world that significantly influenced Sung in her formative training years. This selection provided a medium for Sung to express her compositional creativity in addition to her arranging prowess. Hallmarked by tight-knit formal structures, intriguing harmonic twists, and a fascinating blend of traditional and new textures and timbres, this suite left the listener with the indelible impression that they were witnessing a truly original voice in big-band jazz.
In addition to the sonic achievement of the night, the visual staging with its remarkable lighting design was also worth mentioning. Each piece of music was complimented with a distinctive look that underscored the music in a playful and inventive way. In the mid-century style venue, the combination of a warm, glowing haze underlined by striking lighting projections resulted in a simple yet effective backdrop for a jazz ensemble.
A common thread ran through the performance, and the focus of the evening was to showcase the talent and ability of the Big Band – the outstanding students of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama Jazz department. An impressive and engaging set was achieved with dynamic pieces that highlighted each musician’s unique strengths. From the bold and punchy brass and electrifying reeds to the tight-knit rhythm section, the band formed a homogenous sound under Skelton’s lively yet unintrusive direction—a memorable evening showcasing the promising future of jazz performance in Britain.
For more jazz at Milton Court, come along on the 13th of March to catch the Guildhall Jazz Orchestra on Dankworth Seven.