Posted May 12, 2010 by Sid
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Phil Johnson from the Independent On Sunday gives a great review of our gig at Cheltenham Jazz festival.
“……the best new stuff I’ve heard in an age came from the Birmingham-based Irish composer Sid Peacock, whose young, 16-piece big band played inspiring, wildly creative music of avant-garde bite yet emotional weight. Premiering works written while Peacock was on a recent residency at the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris, the orchestra (two violins, marimba and congas added to reeds and minimal brass), handled the difficult idioms with great skill.
His witty titles – “Bronze Bling” (about the Olympics), “Pixel Rampage”, “Hallucinogenic Garden” – are pegs on which to hang intricately tesselated, complex cycles of competing motifs, as well as melodies that are both intellectually satisfying and funkily corporeal. You could mention Steve Reich, but this is actually enjoyable. Give Peacock an award, quick. The album is out this summer.”
Full article here.
Posted May 4, 2010 by Sid
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The premiere of the new Surge line up went down very well at Cheltenham on Monday. The band played amazingly and it was very well received by the audience. Thanks to all those who came to hear us. If you have time I’d be very pleased to hear from you and what you thought of the gig. Also, if you want to know when the CD of new material is ready send me your email on my contact page. (info&dates)
Hopefully, we will have the CD recorded by the end of the summer and also the opportunity of some further performances. Please help us by spreading the word and requesting us from your local venue/promoter.
Posted April 19, 2010 by Sid
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Posted March 17, 2010 by Sid
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During my stay as composer in residence at the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris I have been working on music for a big band gig at Cheltenham Jazz Festival. The band features some very talented performers and improvisors and I am very grateful to have them perform my music. Check back here soon as we will be rehearsing early April and a preview of tracks will appear on the jukebox shortly after.
The band.
- Aaron Diaz trumpet and fx
- Mike Adlington trumpet
- Rob Anstey trombone
- Lluis Mather soprano sax
- Huw Morgan alto sax
- Chris Morgan tenor sax
- Nick Rundle baritone sax
- Kiki Chen violin
- Ruth Angell violin and vocals
- Max Gittings flutes and whistles
- Steve Tromans piano
- Ryan Trebilcock bass
- Simon King guitar
- Steve Yimga african percussion
- Jason Huxtable marimba and percussion
- John Randall drums
The Gig.
Cheltenham Jazz Festival. The Playhouse Theatre, Bath Road, GL53 7HG.
4.30pm start. adm £8…..
Posted November 23, 2009 by Sid
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I am very pleased to announce that I have been accepted for representation by
Contemporary Music Centre of Ireland..
Check the link for further info.
Posted by Sid
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4th December 2009. Rush Hour Blues, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Free adm.
I am launching a new quintet at Birmingham Jazz’s Rush Hour Blues Session at Symphony Hall. It features Aaron Diaz – trumpets/electronics, Max Gittings – flutes/whistles, Rob Anstey – trombone/bass, Steve Tchoumba – percussion & myself on vocals. It’s gonna be fun, funky and as usual a bit weird.
Also being performed for the first time is a new Saxophone Quartet for Lluis Mather – soprano, Huw Morgan – alto, Chris Morgan – tenor & Colin Mills – baritone. We had a rehearsal on Sunday evening and I was moved by these guys interpretation of the piece. They are right on it and I am really looking forward to the first performance.
Posted by Sid
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Last year I was the education composer in residence at Cheltenham Jazz Festival’s Jazz It Up project. I must have done something right cause they have had me back again this year. Last year the theme was Cartoons this year it is Heaven and Hell. So there has been big band arrangements for Bat Out of Hell, Highway to hell, Knocking on Heaven’s Door and many more topical tunes. The standard of the Gloucester bands is great and the enthusiasm astounding. The welcome has also been very friendly and I am very grateful and honoured to have this position. More info will be available on the Jazz It Up Blog.
Posted by Sid
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I have been awared a residency at the Irish Cultural centre in Paris. I will be staying there Jan, Feb & Mar 2010. Obviously I am very excited and alongside drinking coffee and being arty I will be working on pieces for my big band gig at Cheltenham Jazz festival and performing Steve Troman’s Howl Project. See performance page for details.
Posted by Sid
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Hi, My website is back in action. Still lots to add and tidy up but keep an eye on here for gigs and info about new and exciting projects. Lots happening!
