The Coronet Theatre Jazz Festival 2024
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Curated by Byron Wallen
“Byron Wallen blew my mind” (Jonny Greenwood)
BBC Jazz Innovation award-winner Byron Wallen returns to The Coronet Theatre to curate a sensational festival of international jazz.
The Coronet Theatre is the perfect festival venue; grab a drink in “the most atmospheric bar in the known universe” (The Telegraph), celebrate with friends or family, and enjoy incredible jazz performed live in one of the most beautiful venues in London.
After each show, there will be performances by some of the best young jazz musicians in the UK in our intimate candlelit bar.
Headline events
Thu 12 Dec – Max Roach Centenary with Rod Youngs
MOBO nominated musician Rod Youngs pays tribute to legendary American drummer and composer Max Roach in an exclusive set as part of The Coronet Theatre’s 2024 Jazz Festival. Youngs will also celebrate the life and work of pianist and composer Bud Powell and acclaimed drummer Roy Haynes.
Fri 13 Dec – Hurricane Bells
Living at the intersection between jazz, contemporary art and politics, Hurricane Bells is an extraordinary composition by Byron Wallen in response to Peter Shenai‘s work of the same name, performed by a five-piece band comprising some of the UK best jazz musicians.
Byron Wallen
Byron Wallen (b. 1969) was raised in a musical family and as a child studied classical piano, euphonium, trumpet, flute and drums. In the mid 1980’s the trumpet became Wallen’s primary instrument of choice. Wallen’s first major work, Tarot Suite, (1994) was inspired by a love of mythology and symbolism, which reflected the archetypal journey of human life through an interdisciplinary pan-continental approach. Wallen’s study of cognitive psychology has aided his transition towards conceptualising music as a medium for healing. Wallen raises awareness and invokes change by unlocking boundaries through the nature and science of sound. Widely recognised as a seminal figure in Jazz, Wallen is an acclaimed writer and producer whose original scores have been commissioned by The London Science Museum; PRS For Music, The BBC, Jerwood Foundation, Southbank Centre, National Theatre, Arts Council, FIFA and Sage Gateshead. He has also composed soundscapes for Universal Pictures, Warner Bros and Game of Thrones. Wallen’s current PRS commission ‘Anthem for Woolwich’ forges new links between schools, venues, musicians and residents to strengthen the resilience and promote the cohesion of the community. Wallen has received the BBC Jazz Innovation award (2003) and has been nominated several times for the MOBO award.