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Our second Kirker Jazz Festival will be held at Alex Polizzi’s stylish hotel in the picturesque and historic village of Alfriston, and stars the multi award-winning pianist and composer Gwilym Simcock. One of the finest and most respected jazz artists performing today, Gwilym was hailed by the late, great jazz pianist Chick Corea as a “creative genius”, and is currently pianist for the great US jazz guitarist Pat Metheny. Gwilym will be hosting our exclusive and intimate jazz festival with concerts in the beautiful Hope Chapel in Alfriston, in the company of three of modern jazz’s brightest stars: drummer Martin France, bassist Laurence Cottle and harmonica player Hermine Deurloo. Each contrasting set will offer something original and irresistible, beginning with a solo piano concert performed by our host, followed by jazz trio and, to finish, the beguiling combination of harmonica and piano.
Please make your own way to The Star, where you will be met by Oliver Condy and Gwilym Simcock, your hosts for the next three nights. Before each of our three concerts, we will enjoy delicious dinners in the hotel’s restaurant with Oliver and the musicians, and they will also join us for post-concert drinks in the stylish bar. During the day there will also be time to explore the stunning Sussex coastline and the South Downs, with maps for Alex Polizzi’s favourite walks available at the hotel. Duncan Grant’s murals at Berwick Church and the Towner Gallery at Eastbourne with its collection of works by Eric Ravilious are also within a short drive.
We stay at The Star (4*), located on Alfriston’s famously picturesque high street with its selection of galleries and shops. Olga and Alex Polizzi unveiled their latest venture to enormous critical acclaim in the summer of 2021. Dating back to 1345, this was a historic hostelry on the route between Battle Abbey and Chichester, and its 15th century façade remains unchanged, as does the extravagantly beamed bar. Behind this, a charming, leafy courtyard now leads to 30 comfortable and stylish bedrooms, each combining new and antique furniture alongside works by local artists. We will dine each evening in the hotel’s elegant restaurant. There is no lift at The Star but staff are available to help you with your luggage. There is a gated private car park right behind the hotel.
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Oliver has an MA in organ performance studies from Cardiff University where he studied under the renowned Bach scholar Peter Williams. He also has a Premier Prix from the Conservatoire at Rueil Malmaison, Paris. Following his MA, Oliver worked at Classic FM Magazine for five years, before leaving in 2004 to become the editor of BBC Music Magazine.
He has broadcast on BBC Radios 3, 4 and the World Service, recently reporting from Siberia for From Our Own Correspondent, and has appeared twice on BBC One’s The One Show playing the organ and exploring the history of famous pieces of music. Oliver has given recitals around the UK as well as in France and Denmark, has played at the City of London Festival and appeared three times at the North Norfolk Music Festival. Oliver has toured the UK with the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestras as the soloist in Saint-Saëns’s ‘Organ’ Symphony.
The Kirker Jazz Festival kicks off with a special solo set by Gwilym, combining sophisticated performances of jazz standards with his own inspiring material. Expect heart-melting harmonies and dazzling rhythmic interplay, along with hints of Gwilym’s great influences, legendary pianists Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea.
For the second concert, Gwilym will be joined by two giants of the jazz world: electric bassist Laurence Cottle and drummer Martin France. Laurence, the former Itchy Fingers bassist and the leader of his own Laurence Cottle Big Band, is one of today’s great exponents of fusion jazz. Martin, meanwhile, brings a wealth of experience anchoring some of the world’s greatest big bands including the 1980s cult jazz orchestra Loose Tubes and the incomparable NDR Big Band, based in Hamburg. High energy and spectacular musical interplay are all but guaranteed.
Finally, we bring our festival to a close with a magical evening starring jazz harmonica virtuoso Hermine Deurloo. Hailing from the Netherlands, Hermine is a player of incredible lyricism, virtuosity and sheer richness of tone, and has played and recorded with the likes of Steve Gadd, Tony Scherr, the Willem Breuker Kollektief, Candy Dulfer, Al Jarreau, and the Metropole Orchestra. Together with Gwilym, Hermine will explore the music of Brazil while showcasing her own mesmerising compositions. It promises to be both an atmospheric and utterly thrilling finale to our festival.
Tour Leader
Oliver has an MA in organ performance studies from Cardiff University where he studied under the renowned Bach scholar Peter Williams. He also has a Premier Prix from the Conservatoire at Rueil Malmaison, Paris. Following his MA, Oliver worked at Classic FM Magazine for five years, before leaving in 2004 to become the editor of BBC Music Magazine.
He has broadcast on BBC Radios 3, 4 and the World Service, recently reporting from Siberia for From Our Own Correspondent, and has appeared twice on BBC One’s The One Show playing the organ and exploring the history of famous pieces of music. Oliver has given recitals around the UK as well as in France and Denmark, has played at the City of London Festival and appeared three times at the North Norfolk Music Festival. Oliver has toured the UK with the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestras as the soloist in Saint-Saëns’s ‘Organ’ Symphony.
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