Monday, 16 June 2014
Wainsgate Concert: A Midsummer Afternoon of Words and Music
with Rommi Smith, Jenni Molloy and Laura Cole
Sunday June 22nd at 3pm
Wainsgate Chapel
The 4th in the highly successful series of summer concerts at Wainsgate Chapel takes place on Sunday 22nd June and features the enticing combination of poetry and jazz. Wainsgate has been programming music events since 2006, and has more recently put on 3 well-received poetry gigs, but this is the first time the two have been fused together.
Providing the words for the event entitled A Midsummer Afternoon of Words and Music is Leeds-based performance poet Rommi Smith, who works to fuse spoken word and music together. She has been performing her work since the age of 14. A spellbinding, dynamic and powerful performer, Rommi works in collaboration with dancers, music producers and musicians (and with her own band), to create a synthesis of lyrical spoken and sung word.
Performing her work regularly, both nationally and internationally, at arts, music and literature festivals (including The Guinness Jazz Festival, Ilkley Literature Festival, Sight Sonic; Crossing Borders, Amsterdam; Nuyorican Poet's Café, New York, Prix Europa, Berlin and Vienna Literature Festival) Rommi has achieved a reputation for sharp, socially conscious poetic imagery, fused with astute harmonies, and jazz, funk and soul rhythms.
Rommi has recently been appointed Parliamentary Writer in Residence. Employed by the House of Commons, her work focuses on creatively exploring the Parliamentary exhibition: The British Slave Trade, Abolition, Parliament and People. This is the first time in history a Parliamentary Writer in Residence has been appointed.
Joining Rommi Smith at Wainsgate are double bass player Jenni Molloy and pianist Laura Cole. Jenni has performed all over the world, but has also developed a strong reputation more locally with Bach Re-Loaded, Tongue & Groove, Peadar Long's Celestial Echoes and many other projects. Laura Cole is also well known as a composer and arranger- notably with Metamorphic, the group she directs alongside singer and composer Kerry Andrew. Laura also co-leads a Leeds-based improvising big band, The Bennett Cole Orchestra, with bassist Seth Bennett, and she is also part of Martin Archer's group Engine Room Favourites, which has recently been chosen to take part in the Jazz North Scheme.
"This should turn out to be a memorable afternoon" commented concert organiser Dave Nelson. "In addition to some great poetry and sublime playing, we'll be serving tea and cakes to celebrate midsummer and there'll also be an opportunity for people to meet the artists afterwards."
A Midsummer Afternoon of Words and Musicstarts at 3pm on the 22nd and tickets, which can only be bought at the door are £10 and £5 (concessions). Wainsgate Chapel is on Wainsgate Lane, Old Town, Hebden Bridge HX7 8SU. Parking there is limited and reserved for disabled drivers. There are plenty of footpaths for those who'd like to walk from Hebden Bridge or there's an hourly bus service to Old Town Mill Lane (opposite Wainsgate Lane) where parking is also available. More details of all events can be found at www.wainsgate.co.uk.