Given that the current exhibition is “the Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great”, drawing from the personal collection of the legendary empress of all the Russias, it’s fitting that the series would start with an artist of Paul Grabowsky’s caliber.
In a programme that allowed her to showcase the potential of the New Palm Court Orchestra through an eclectic blend of styles, Gemma Turvey offered the audience a unique musical and emotional experience.
“There’s a lot of freedom working alone, and although the same can be said for working with others, the amount of freedom hinges on whether it’s improvised alone or with a group, or if the goal is for it to be through-composed or not, and if that composition is written by myself or collaboratively”
“The nonet is the ideal mix of the intimacy of small group jazz with the compositional scope afforded by a big band or larger ensemble. It’s hard swinging small group jazz with the force that you get from six horn players.”
