Jazz Sebastian Bach, St John's Smith Square

Put together the words ‘jazz’ and ‘Bach,’ and visions emerge of an ungodly fusion, as self-important as it is kitschy. Add the name Gwilym Simcock to the mix, though, and you have a rather different proposition. Adept at moving between both genres, Simcock is one of Britain’s brightest pianists and finest young composers. In the setting of St. John’s Smith Square, one of London’s most exquisite baroque churches, the evening will undoubtedly be something special.
Born in the tiny Welsh city of Bangor, Simcock began making a mark when he scored the country’s highest marks for Grade 8 piano and French horn at the mere age of 11. Tutelage in Chetham’s School and the Royal Academy of Music followed, where he won numerous honours – including the Academy’s sainted Principal’s Prize. Choosing to focus his energies on jazz, he quickly shot to national acclaim. Third album Good Days at Schloss Elmau (2011), played on solo piano, attracted especial raving, although earlier records Perception (2007) and Blues Vignette (2009) were vaunted too. Equally at home excepting a commission from a large classical ensemble or improvising with jazz quartets, Simcock counts Bartok, Keith Jarrett, Pat Metheny and Ravel amongst his greatest influences. Wherever he goes next, he’s sure to continue blazing his incomparably individual path.
Johann Sebastian Bach, considered by many to be the great composer in the entire Western canon, needs no introduction. Simcock and his quartet will play four re-arranged pieces, followed by an improvisation on the composer’s themes. Beginning with the Harpischord Concerto in D Minor, the group will go on to play his Oboe Concerto in F Minor and the Air from 3^rd Suite. Then, they will tackle a set of his chorales – catchy melodies that form the basis for hymns – with the saxophone taking the vocal part. Whether you’re a fan of jazz, Bach or Simcock, this is an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.