My series of events is called: 'Relativity: a contemporary music experience'
Next event: 26th March at the Bristol Fringe!
I started promoting in October 2023 when drummer and composer Sean Noonan asked me to book a Bristol show for his newly formed trio. I found St Stephen’s Church available, and David Mowat offered support in promoting the event, as a night special of the Lunchtime Concerts he curates there. I expanded the lineup with Enrico Merlin (who was touring) and Fabio Ferri Quintet, blending genre-defying music with live abstract art. The event, a Headfirst Editor's Pick, exceeded expectations . Encouraged by the success and the venue’s support—mine are the only evening gigs there—I was inspired to continue promoting and my relationship with the venue.
The events that I organised have at their centre the concept of crossing the boundaries usually found between genres, composition and improvisation, different art forms and between performers and audience. So far they've only happened at St Stephen's Church, but there are some exciting news for the future! Most events have been Headfirst Editor's Picks, and in two cases we had a dedicated article from Bristol 24/7: for the second event, with Bristol based guitarist and composer Tiny Chapter (project of virtuoso Waldo’s Gift guitarist) alongside singer and playwright Amy Helen; and the fourth event, with live acts of Bristol based Fabio Ferri Quintet and 30 Circles and an art exhibition of the work that had been synesthetically produced during previous performances.
The third event presented newly formed label CUD, with performances by BIPED (who also runs the label), Kadooshkinn, t l k and London-based Rael (from established band Nukuluk).
The fifth event involved wold-class New York based touring jazz musicians Gabrielle Stravelli and Pat O'Leary.
The sixth (sold-out) event saw music performances by Bristol-based acts Limpet and and Dan Johnson, with the whole structure mapped by visual artist Pablo Cuevas for a unique and immersive light and laser installation that responded to the music in real time.
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"A truly astonishing performance! Like 'Finnegan's Wake' set to music! The best thing since Beefheart"
"Deeply powerful. Thought provoking performance"
"Spinetingling"
"Transcendental"
"Ethereal beauty"
"One of the most unique musical experiences I've ever been to"
"Music that spoke to me so profoundly, in these particular times, that I can’t really find the words to express my response"
“What’s exclusive about this series of events is that they don’t stick to any particular genre. Often people end up being divided into categories and tribes, and sometimes it looks like the music industry is encouraging such a phenomenon. These concerts aim to bring together fans of the modern jazz scene, as well as chamber music, free improvisation, traditional jazz, avant-garde, world music, and more. Bristol boasts a vibrant representation of these genres, but they rarely intersect. My hope is that people of different backgrounds, ages and musical tastes find their curiosity stimulated, discover something new, get emotionally moved and feel an active part of the event itself.” Fabio Ferri to Bristol 24/7.