June Earworms

We're looking forward to the next Earworms on June 12th. We will be joined by the Divertimento String Quartet with an exciting programme of string quartet music. Here is what they say about their programme -

Join Divertimento Quartet on their whistle stop tour of the world! Hear the stories that they tell in the very varied music that they play from around the world.

The journey begins in the UK with its folk music tradition….in Europe hear about the connection between Beethoven and the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte….next the Northern land of trolls and the music of Grieg….In mid Europe a famous gypsy dance which Lady Gaga used in one of her albums….in Russia a dance by Shostakovich….South America brings Latin dances…. travel as far as China for some folk music from different parts of the country…..then back to England for a rousing finale by William Walton

April Earworms

This month's Earworms on April 17th, 2pm features top british (devon in fact) folk duo, Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman. Kathryn and Sean performed for us back in our early days and we are really looking forward to welcoming them back. With over 20 years of performing with many top folk artists, they are sure to be as brilliant and popular as they were when they performed for us in 2013.
Tickets (£6,£4,£18 family) are available from Exeter Phoenix box office https://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/bookings/?webid=5153
We hope to see you there!

Earworms' jingle performed by La Vie en Rose

Here is the brilliant performance of our jingle by La Vie en Rose from the February 2016 concert:

Happy new year to all of you - we're looking forward to Earworms 2016!
Tickets are now on sale for our first event of the new season.  Sunday February 7th, 2pm,  features the wonderful 'La Vie en Rose' at Exeter Phoenix. 
Tickets are available now from the Phoenix box office in person or by using this link   https://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/bookings/?webid=6055

We hope to see you there!

LA VIE EN ROSE is a group of musicians with wide-ranging backgrounds in classical, traditional jazz, rock, Western swing, blues and roots but brought together by a shared love of gypsy jazz. The band features David Jones (guitar), Laurie Light (guitar), Rebecca Willson (violn), Nick White (clarinet) and Mitch Humphrys (double bass).

David Jones has been playing gypsy jazz from a young age, has performed alongside the likes of Lollo Meier and Bertrand Le Guillou and is an endorsee of JWC Guitars. Nick White is currently playing 1st saxophone with the Chris Barber Big Band but is an equally accomplished clarinet player. Rebecca Willson holds several music degrees in both violin and piano, has studied with Tim Kliphuis, and regularly performs solo and ensemble work from Django to Dvorak. The rhythm section of Laurie Light and Mitch Humphries have played roots, blues, ragtime, jazz and swing in bands and solo for too many years to count.

Formed as a band at the end of 2014, they have since played a wide variety of venues and events throughout the South West including Exeter's Vibraphonic Fesital, Acoustica Festival, Nourish Festival, Velo Vintage, The Picturehouse 'Sofa Sessions' and film previews, The Clifford Arms Jazz Club, Fanzone for the Rugby World Cup, as well as at extensive private functions. They currently have a monthly residency at Exeter's Cosy Club and amongst other things are just signed up for an 11-night functions' run in December, New Years' Eve at the huge Cosy Club in Bristol, and a short tour in London in February 2016, including the Verdi Italian Kitchen at The Royal Albert Hall on Valentine's Day.

Earworms new season!

Our apologies for the radio silence since our last event back in May.
We've been planning a future for Earworms but needed some financial stability with which to move forward.  We are delighted to announce that we have recently heard that the lovely Exeter Arts Council have awarded us some funding!  This will allow us to invite musicians to perform and we plan to launch our new season in early 2016.  We will be moving back to our original home at Exeter Phoenix, but this time in the main auditorium.
We will keep you posted as we have more plans finalised and look forward to seeing you all soon!

Earworms this Sunday

Sunday's performers have been giving workshops over the last few weeks.  here are some photos from workshops with Park School and Landscove Primary at KEVVICS.  The children had a great time learning some African songs and dance moves.  Come along on Sunday - we'll be in the auditorium at Exeter Phoenix at 4pm.  Tickets on 01392 493493 or on the door.
If you enjoy it - come back int eh evening at 8pm for a full length performance including music devised in Exeter Contemporary Sounds recent colloboration with Chartwell Dutiro and Denise Rowe.

Next concert 10th May - Marenje Ensemble

There are a couple of important changes for our next concert on 10th May: 

it will take place at the Phoenix 

and will start at 4:00 pm. 

Tickets are available from 

Exeter Northcott Box Office 01392 493493 

or 

Exeter Visitor Information, 

Dix's Field, Exeter. 

The concert will feature the Exeter Contemporary Sounds' string quartet of Andrew Gillett (viola), Julie Hill (violin), Jane Pirie (cello) and Emma Welton (violin).

The string quartet have been working on a research project with Bath Spa University's Amanda Bayley. They have been collaborating with Mbira player Chartwell Dutiro and dancer Denise Rowe, exploring music from their individual heritages and attempting to meet in the middle!

'Zimbabwean Mbira and European String Quartet, icons within their cultures, provoke and explore each other with dance delving deep into their rhythms, moods and creative drive.'

Here are some pictures from a recent rehearsal:

 

The Earworms' concert will consist of some of the pieces that have evolved from the project. There will be a full concert of all the pieces, including a new piece by Bristol based composer Daniel Linker, later in the evening (tickets available from the Phoenix).