The Coronet Theatre Jazz Festival 2024: Hurricane Bells
(This is a past event and is no longer running)
Composed by Byron Wallen
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.
Contemporary artist Peter Shenai cast five bronze bells using analyses of the structure of Hurricane Katrina – the storm that devastated New Orleans in 2005. These cyclonic, irregularly shaped bells produce a tonally complex web of sounds reminiscent of Chinese bells and gongs and when struck in order, their descending tones indicate the growing power of the storm. Building on these unique sounds, Wallen’s work reflects on the tragedy, taking in the culture of New Orleans and the climate crisis that threatens ever larger storms.
“Gong instruments in general, have this amazing political and communicative power: they memorialize, they mark celebrations, they sound alarms, they call communities to gather around important issues. These bells based on the structure of Hurricane Katrina carry a powerful message and set of meanings with them. My piece is an exploration of the socio-political economic climate where their sound resonates.” – Byron Wallen
This original work was set to premiere in 2020 which was rescheduled at Rich Mix in Feb 2022. Here it is performed by a five-piece band comprising some of the UK best jazz musicians.
Byron Wallen
Trumpet
Mike De Souza
Guitar
Jonny Mansfield
Vibraphone
Menelick Claffey
Bass
Sam Nicholls
Drums
Klara Devlin
Join us in our candlelit bar afterwards for a short solo gig with Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2024 finalist Klara Devlin!
Klara Devlin is an awesome talent with a refreshing approach to the music and its legacy. It has been a joy to see her mercurial and meteoric progress since the first few lessons we had together. In the words of Tony Kofi: “Klara Devlin, remember her name, she is in my opinion one of the most amazing and unique new trumpet voices to emerge onto the UK jazz scene. To coin the famous quote ‘if ya ain’t got it in ya, ya can’t blow it out’. Klara Devlin definitely has it, and definitely blows it out of her horn! I’m about 2-3 jazz generations in front of her and I’ve never been this excited about a young musician.”
When the Levees Broke
Hurricane Bells will be preceded at 6:30pm by a screening of Spike Lee‘s 2006 documentary When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts. Lee’s HBO documentary event recounts the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina on the city of New Orleans in 2005 and the US government’s response. Find out more about the film here.
THe Coronet Theatre Jazz Festival 2024
BBC Jazz Innovation award-winner Byron Wallen returns to The Coronet Theatre to curate a sensational festival of 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.
Also in the festival: Max Roach Centenary with Rod Youngs
Book tickets to both Jazz Festival 2024 events and get 25% off!