Christine Tobin - Returning Weather (UK premiere)

A singularly beautiful sound-world which draws in elements from traditional Irish music, jazz and contemporary classical in an entirely seamless way.

(Jazzwise)

7.30pm Ben Gunnery’s Celtic Fiddle Group

7.50pm Interval

8.15pm Christine Tobin

9.30pm Concert Ends

Christine Tobin’s newest project, Returning Weather, imaginatively weaves song, spoken word and a stellar group of musicians from diverse disciplines together, with the live shows expanding upon the material with additional spoken word passages and visual effects.

Returning Weather charts a journey which is part homecoming, part memoir, inspired by Christine’s return to Ireland after many years abroad and explores themes of finding home, dwelling and landscape, reconnecting with a cultural background, reshaping a sense of identity and belonging.

Tobin’s vocals, veering from acrobatic to sultry, are tailored perfectly for the material, her evocations of time and place precise. Classy and lovely.

(**** Observer)

Tobin was commissioned to write this evocative new song cycle by The Dock Arts Centre, with an Arts Council of Ireland, Music Commissions Award. All the words and compositions are by Christine, with the exception of ‘Still, Life’ which a poem by Eva Salzman set to music by Tobin.

Christine Tobin vocals/compositions
Aoife Ní Bhriain – violin/viola
David Power uilleann pipes/whistles
Phil Robson guitar/electronics
Steve Hamilton piano

Christine Tobin
The Dublin born and raised, multi-award winning vocalist and composer has been an integral part of both the New York City and London scenes for many years. She returned to Ireland in 2020 and is now based in Northwest Co. Roscommon. Within her kaleidoscopic musical palette that draws on the folk and European art song traditions, she can be junkyard blues philosopher, snappy beat seductress, a conduit for exquisite zen-like harmonies and reflective Americana.

Tobin’s expressive range acknowledges finely acquired folk, jazz and 20thcentury classical influences, which already sets her apart. And everything is shot through with an unmistakable refinement, free-spirited earthiness and giddy romanticism; this singer-songwriter is in a field of one.

Aoife Ní Bhriain – Violin

Born in Dublin, to a family of musicians, Aoife Ní Bhriain has established herself as one of the most versatile musicians of her generation. Thanks to her musical heritage combined with her classical studies she has collaborated and performed with musicians such as pianist Eliso Virsaladze, fiddle player Martin Hayes, Welsh harpist Catrin Finch, jazz guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel and Oscar winning actor Tim Robbins.She is a member of the avant garde string quintet Wooden Elephant as well as the Goodman Trio with whom she has explored the manuscripts of the music collected around Ireland in the1800’s by Canon James Goodman.Winner of the Bonn Óir Sean Uí Riada in 2010, Aoife has also won seven All Ireland titles as well as prizes in international violin and chamber music competitions. She has a particular interest in solo violin works and curated a performance on the solo violin works of J.S. Bach and the improvisations of acclaimed Dublin fiddle player and soloist Tommie Potts.She graduated with first class honours from the Hochschule fur Musik und Theater Leipzig in 2018 and plays on a violin by J.B. Vuillaume on generous loan as well as a Jurgen Manthey violin purchased through the Music Network Music Capital Scheme.

David Power – Uilleann pipes and Whistle

David Power is an uilleann pipes soloist, who also plays in duos with fiddlers Willie Kelly and Martin Hayes, with harpist Triona Marshall and in collaborations with many others including Edges of Light, Masters of Tradition, Pipers Union, baroque ensemble Camerata Kilkenny, the ConTempo Quartet and organist/harpsichordist Malcolm Proud. David recently performed the world-premieres of contemporary concerti ‘Gol na mBan san Ár’ (Kevin Volans), ‘Buile Shuibhne’ (Dana Lyn) and ‘Antarctica’ (Linda Buckley and David Power).

“David Power brings a breathtaking freshness to the set, his fluid, fluent playing as light as a feather” (Irish Times)

He has three solo uilleann piping recordings, the first two released by Claddagh Records, the third, self-published. ‘Apples in Winter’ a duet of fiddle and pipes with Willie Kelly of New York was released in 2016. In 2018 Lyric FM published ‘The Piper and the Fairy Queen` with baroque ensemble Camerata Kilkenny.

“The opening wail of uilleann pipes, played by David Power, which shifts into swirling music of military glory, beautifully establishes the central opposition of inner pain and public fantasy” (New York Times)

Phil Robson – Guitar and Electronics

Phil Robson is a multi-award-winning guitarist & composer who is currently based in Ireland. He has led bands featuring jazz legends such as David Liebman, Mark Turner, Billy Hart, James Genus, Marc Copland & many more as well as working as a sideman with Kenny Wheeler, Barbra Streisand, Steve Lacy, Charles Earland, Donny McCaslin, Django Bates, The BBC Big Band, Ingrid Jenson, Phil Woods, Mike Gibbs, Bob Brookmeyer, Steve Wilson and a diverse spectrum of internationally renowned artists.

“Robson performs impeccably throughout, whether he’s contributing chordal washes in support, or taking the spotlight for some intricate, fluid solos of his own.” (AllAboutJazz)

In Europe he is renowned as the co-leader of the cult UK band ‘Partisans’ with saxophonist Julian Siegel which ran for 23 years as well as for his work with his partner, the great singer/songwriter Christine Tobin. In New York he is best known for his collaboration with the master saxophonist/composer Jed Levy. He’s also a ‘Whirlwind Recordings’ and ‘Lyte Records’ artist, with highly acclaimed albums who performs at major venues and festivals around the world. www.philrobson.net

Steve Hamilton – piano

Originally from Aberdeen, Steve is one of Europe’s most creative and experienced contemporary pianists, performing a multitude of music from the improvised to pop to film and session work. Steve grew up in a musical family and won a full scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston. After he moved to London where he became one of the most in-demand pianists across the genres performing with legends such as Freddie Hubbard, Ray Charles, Joe Lovano, Martin Taylor, Gary Burton, Van Morrison, Pee Wee Ellis, Dennis Rollins and became a long standing member of legendary drummer Bill Bruford’s internationally acclaimed group Earthworks. He has played on over 40 CDs including Kurt Elling’s classic ‘Passion World’ album, and has been a regular member of the legendary drummer Billy Cobham’s band for many years and has recently been touring with Billy throughout Europe. He has performed with Tommy Smith’s Karma and frequently collaborates with American bassist Michael Janisch, and is an established member of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. He is currently based in Sofia, Bulgaria where he also an active part of the music scene. In 2020, Steve released his debut album “Between The Lines” which was created collaboratively during lockdown.

This show is part of the EFG London Jazz Festival