Having burst into the jazz firmament in the 1980s, British saxophonist and composer, Steve Williamson has continued to shine as one of its brightest ever stars. The utterly distinctive and ever-questing Williamson is now ready to illuminate a brand-new path with his special light: The Steve Williamson Experience, a musical collaboration between The Steve Williamson Trio and StringTing, which tours the UK from 1st May 2019 with some of the most talented young jazz musicians of the day. The project features original new music by Williamson commissioned by Tomorrow’s Warriors with support from the PRS Foundation Open Fund.
The Steve Williamson Experience (c) Carl Hyde
The project is the brainchild of Williamson and one of the UK’s most revered jazz musicians and educators, bassist Gary Crosby OBE, co-founder with Janine Irons MBE of the ground-breaking jazz music education and artist development organisation, Tomorrow’s Warriors.
Formed organically during Williamson’s own extensive involvement with coaching the young musicians of Tomorrow’s Warriors, this exciting new project comprises a trio of Williamson on saxophones and electronics alongside young Portuguese drummer, Zoe Pascal and UK bassist, Hamish Moore together with all-women string ensemble, StringTing, led by violinist, Rhiannon Dimond, also all members of the extensive Tomorrow’s Warriors’ family. StringTing Trio will also provide the support set on the tour. London Jazz News recently wrote that StringTing is: “…one of the most exciting ensembles to have emerged recently from the stable of Tomorrow’s Warriors”.
The Steve Williamson Experience (c) Carl Hyde
The Steve Williamson Experience provides a unique journey around the sonic potential of music as a true art form. Through his lifelong study of nature, harmony and proportion, Williamson creates music that soothes and heals as well as entertains. His extensive use of primordial tones speaks directly to the essence of who we are and his unique blending of classical and jazz elements creates an entrancing, life-enhancing, soul advancing musical experience.
For the deep-thinking, versatile and collaborative Williamson, this touring project represents the perfect opportunity to help mentor the next generation of young artists, as he himself was so memorably and generously mentored by the inspirational Art Blakey. A profound understanding of his art and a deep belief in the power of the universal language of music to unite and connect people give a special quality and integrity to Williamson’s work and enable him to build a strong bond with audiences all over the world and across many diverse music genres.
Williamson comments: “This project is the perfect synthesis of many ideas I have had in my head for a while. I am a firm believer in passing on knowledge to the next generation, whether in performing or writing music and the chance to work closely with these talented, enthusiastic and above all, fearless young musicians has been both thrilling and humbling in equal measure. There is nothing they can’t achieve given the right conditions in which to thrive. This is where Tomorrow’s Warriors has played such a key role in nurturing and encouraging the talents and aspirations of young musicians today. I hope that audiences will enjoy the music and have fun watching the musical talent of tomorrow evolve in real time”.
Added Gary Crosby: “Steve and I have worked closely together over many years and we share a common vision in music. We both feel that the possibilities for this exciting collaboration are endless and we have a whole host of innovative ideas about where we want to take this, in every respect. It’s so enriching and life-affirming and this is just the beginning.”
You can check out The Steve Williamson Experience at Hull Jazz Festival this summer. They’re at Hull Truck Theatre on Saturday 20th July, with tickets from £6 – find out more and book tickets here.
Other dates in the tour include:
- Wed 1st May 2019, 7.45pm Purcell Room, South Bank Centre, London
- Fri 10th May 2019, 8pm, Turner Sims, Southampton
- Sat 18th May 2019, 8pm CBSO Centre, Birmingham
- Sun 19th May 2019, 7pm, Hallé St Michael’s, Manchester
- Thurs 23rd May 2019, 8pm St George’s, Bristol
- Fri 24th May 2019, 7.30pm Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury
http://www.stevewilliamsonnow.com
“[music bridges] this fine artist’s rich interior life to the expectant world outside”
The Guardian on Steve Williamson
“…true creation and artistry” The Morning Star on Steve Williamson
THE STEVE WILLIAMSON EXPERIENCE
featuring
Steve Williamson – saxophones, electronics;
Zoe Pascal – drums;
Hamish Moore – double bass;
and StringTing
with support from StringTing Trio
StringTing:
Rhiannon Dimond – violin
Abigail Davis – violin (Quartet)
Julia Vaughan – viola
Miranda Lewis – cello