25th AMERSHAM FESTIVAL CELEBRATION

Join us to celebrate the first twenty five years of the Amersham Festival of Music at what will be both a social occasion and a superb concert of music from classic French cinema, performed by the

DOMINIC ALLDIS ENSEMBLE

Iain Ballamy  (saxophone)    Martin France  (percussion)

Alec Dankworth  (bass)    Dominic Alldis  (piano and vocal)

The Pavao String Quartet

Alldis is unique, a polished and delicate jazz pianist who also sings in what could be termed the high cabaret style (The Observer)

The Dominic Alldis Ensemble was formed in 2003 for a national tour sponsored by the Arts Council of England. Their programme features Dominic’s contemporary arrangements of themes from classic French cinema - lyrical, quintessentially French melodies with their lilting rhythm, humour and nostalgic sentiment - along with arrangements of the wonderful songs of Michel Legrand such as ’Windmills of my mind’ (from the “Thomas Crown Affair”) and ’I will wait for you’ (from “les Parapluies de Cherbourg”).   These popular songs mostly from the 1940’s and 50’s are enriched by Dominic’s subtle and brilliant jazz arrangements, by his extraordinary dexterity as a pianist and his immaculate and charming singing in both French and English.

The combination of top-class jazz musicians with one of this country’s finest young string quartets (the Pavao Quartet) is a feast for the ears.

Festival regulars will remember Dominic Alldis’s fine concert of songs by Cole Porter, Noel Coward etc in 2004. We look forward greatly to welcoming him back to the Festival.

This concert will take place in the superb new St James Centre at St James Church, Gerrards Cross - a beautiful and spacious venue. The audience will be seated at tables so as to enjoy some wine and a fine selection of French cheeses to accompany music from the world of the French cinema.

Tickets: £20

Sponsored by Sheila and Richard Cousens