Blowing His Own Trumpet To Attract The Best

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday August 18, 2006

Clare Morgan

HE MIGHT have signed on with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, but jazz musician James Morrison is not cashing in his cool cards yet.

Morrison has been appointed artistic adviser for the orchestra's Kaleidoscope Series, formerly the Morgan Stanley Music Series, and plans to use his profile overseas to lure top-name international artists to Sydney.

The acclaimed trumpeter already has a working relationship with the orchestra through solo performances and its Jazz Meets the Symphony concerts with the jazz pianist Lalo Schifrin.

"When jazz people come along to a concert like that they get exposed to the sound of a live symphony orchestra, and for people who've never done that it's always stunning. You can see them light up. We want as many people as possible to have that experience."

The orchestra's managing director, Libby Christie, said the Morgan Stanley series, established in 2003 to present adventurous music programs, had been embraced by audiences, and ticket sales had risen 30 per cent in two years and subscriber numbers had risen.

Morrison's appointment signals a new era for the orchestra's programming for new audiences. "He's connected with some wonderful people internationally and it will be great to have him as an ambassador for this program," Ms Christie said. "James works so well with the orchestra, and they love performing with him."

Morrison will also help with repertoire and programming advice, and he has promised musically exciting programs, with plenty of original music.

"Because of my travels and the work that I do and the people I work with, and being part of live music festivals of all different types, I get exposed to all sorts of things so I guess I can come back with all sorts of ideas. Then once we've already got a program, I think I've got a role in explaining that to the public.

"I think what you'll end up with is people who are used to seeing the orchestra, and people who aren't used to seeing the orchestra, fighting for seats." Interaction with audiences will be encouraged, with the usual symphonic conventions relaxed.

"This is a performance where not only can you clap between movements, you can clap while the playing's going on," he said.

There will be four Kaleidoscope concerts next year, with Schifrin making a return, a concert with an Antarctic theme, an international jazz artist and a movie-music collaboration.

The orchestra's full 2007 program will be unveiled on August 29.

© 2006 Sydney Morning Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home