An Anglo-French project entitled Shakespeare Songs that combines the talents of three leading contemporary jazz voices, weaving their magic around a series of musical portraits of characters from Shakespeare’s plays and poems marking the 400th anniversary of the death of Shakespeare. The music draws inspiration from Renaissance composers Thomas Morley and William Byrd, giving great importance to colour, melody, dynamics and, most of all, to space and silence.
The project was developed and composed by the French pianist Guillaume de Chassy and drummer Christophe Marguet, the pair of French artists invited Andy Sheppard, whom they call ‘the great English poet of the saxophone’, to join them in their musical exploration of Shakespeare’s world.
The album of the same name released at the end of 2015 sees the trio joined by very special guest Kristin Scott Thomas reading the text.
Shakespeare Songs had a very unique UK premier, prior to the album release, at The Globe in the wonderful Sam Wanamaker Playhouse as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival. A candlelit sold out concert which was received with a standing ovation and with the following review in The Guardian “French pianist Guillaume de Chassy’s witty, dramatic and improv-inviting music steered a completely enticing jazz-meets-Shakespeare show amid the flickering candles at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, with saxophonist Andy Sheppard evoking caresses and murder, drummer Christophe Marguet mimicking the rustling advance of Birnam Wood, and Emma Pallant a stirring narrator.”
Listen to Andy Sheppard’s interview on Shakespeare Songs for RTE’s Culture File
*Click The Image* Interview with Guillaume De Chassy
The tour is comprised by dates in Ireland, in partnership with Music Network and a final concert on the 23rd of March in Nottingham UK.
13/03/2016 Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny
14/03/2016 Linenhall Arts Centre, St.Castlebar
15/03/2016 The Dock Arts Centre, Carrick on Shannon
16/03/2016 Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin
18/03/2016 Triskel Christchurch, Cork
19/03/2016 Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire
20/03/2016 Glór, Ennis
21/03/2016 Station House Theatre, Clifden
22/03/2016 Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo
23/03/2016 Lakeside Arts Centre, Nottingham
To buy tickets visit our Concerts page
WATCH VIDEO **Click the image**