This is the third in the Jazz Repertory Company’s series of orchestral jazz concerts for the EFG London Jazz Festival at Cadogan Hall. In 2021 they presented Bossa Nova with Strings and they continue their Brazilian theme this year with a new selection of beautiful Antônio Carlos Jobim songs featuring guitarist and singer Gui Tavares from Rio de Janeiro. Gui will also be joined by singer Denny Ilett in a new selection of duets from the delightful Sinatra/Jobim albums of the 1960s.

Sammy Mayne is one of the world’s greatest exponents of Charlie Parker’s be-bop alto saxophone style and he returns with more selections from the wonderful albums Parker recorded with strings in the early 1950s.

Chet Baker was the great romantic figure of modern jazz with formidable trumpet chops, an alluring voice and movie-star looks. Ben Cummings perfectly captures the mystique of this idol of cool jazz on a selection of songs from the 1959 album Chet Baker With 50 Italian Strings.

The sumptuous musical setting for the featured soloists and singers is provided by the 40-piece orchestra conducted by the musical director of the Ronnie Scott’s Big Band Pete Long and led by Charles Mutter, leader of the BBC Concert Orchestra.

We are extremely grateful to trombonist Ian Bateman who has, once again, made his library of arrangements available for this concert.

Watch a video excerpt of 2021’s Bossa Nova with Strings with Gui Tavares