Trumpeter Tomos Williams returns with his new project re-imagining music from the Welsh folk tradition. ‘Blodeugerdd / The Great Welsh Songbook’ comprises a stellar line-up of Welsh jazz musicians: Huw Warren (piano) Paula Gardiner (bass) and Mark O’Connor (drums), create an A-list Welshjazz rhythm section who’ll be joined by Rachel Musson (tenor sax), the brilliant young vocalist Eadyth Crawford and Tomos on trumpet.
‘Blodeugerdd’ means ‘Anthology’ in Welsh, while the ‘Great Welsh Songbook’ monicor is a play on the ‘Great American Songbook’ title which provides hundreds of jazz ‘standards’ and is the foundation of many modern jazz compositions. ‘Blodeugerdd’ will showcase new arrangements of Welsh folk melodies in the European jazz tradition – drawing inspiration from Poland to Italy, France to Finland. The band will also perform a new composition specially commissioned by Canolfan Ucheldre, drawing insipration from Anglesey. Think ECM – jazz with plenty of room for improvisation and deep grooves, then think again.
The new compositions and arrangements were made possible by funding from Canolfan Ucheldre, Tŷ Cerdd and support from Canolfan Celfyddydau Aberystwyth Arts Centre.
Tomos Williams – trumpet
Eadyth Crawford – vocals
Rachel Musson – tenor sax
Huw Warren – piano
Paula Gardiner – bass
Mark O’Connor – drums
Centre for the performing and visual arts in Anglesey, North Wales
