Prom 61: 30.08.16 - Late Night with Kamasi Washington

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

22:15 Tuesday 30 Aug 2016
Royal Albert Hall

Kamasi Washington saxophone
City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (strings)
Jules Buckley conductor

Thrilling California-based saxophonist and composer Kamasi Washington has been described as the biggest thing to hit jazz for years. Having toured for over a decade with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Lauryn Hill and Snoop Dogg, he now brings his own band to the Proms, combining with the strings of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and choral backing, to perform tracks from his groundbreaking recent three-disc album The Epic.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07qbzbn

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I only cut and paste the concert description, but I'm wondering how there might be a "choral backing" from these performers.

[french frank]

I only cut and paste the concert description, but I'm wondering how there might be a "choral backing" from these performers.

It is only the strings of the CBSO, so …

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

It is only the strings of the CBSO, so …

Wouldn't that be a "cordal backing"?

[underthecountertenor]

I only cut and paste the concert description, but I'm wondering how there might be a "choral backing" from these performers.

Well, the Budapest Festival Orchestra proved themselves to be more than competent choral singers two years ago, so perhaps the CBSO strings will be taking a lead from them.

More likely, though, Washington will have his own backing singers (who may or may not be credited in the programme), or the backing will be pre-recorded. I'd put a small amount of money on the former.

[french frank]

Wouldn't that be a "cordal backing"?

I meant the wind players might have been a bit hampered …

[Serial_Apologist]

To claim Kamasi Washington as the biggest thing to have hit jazz for years is to challenge the Trades Description Act: there's many over here who can do an equally good imitation of John Coltrane, if not better... assuming that's what you want, plus a bit of... ... "Showmanship" .

As a jazz fan I shall be giving this A Big Miss.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Well, the Budapest Festival Orchestra proved themselves to be more than competent choral singers two years ago, so perhaps the CBSO strings will be taking a lead from them.

More likely, though, Washington will have his own backing singers (who may or may not be credited in the programme), or the backing will be pre-recorded. I'd put a small amount of money on the former.

Sometimes the Vienna Philharmonic are called upon to sing in New Year's Day concerts. The sound could change markedly, now that there are women players.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

To claim Kamasi Washington as the biggest thing to have hit jazz for years is to challenge the Trades Description Act:

Many of the R3 soundbites are guilty of this. I'm sure they must get Daily Express journalists to write this stuff.

[Serial_Apologist]

Many of the R3 soundbites are guilty of this. I'm sure they must get Daily Express journalists to write this stuff.

I'm sure you're right!