Holy Trinity Privett Saturday 16th June 2024
In what was a different and somewhat brave choice of programme for the choir, the roof was well and truly lifted off at Holy Trinity on Saturday night. A truly memorable performance of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert with some breathtaking moments that had the audience on their feet long before the standing ovation.
The evening began with the superb Brass Breakout Jazz Orchestra leading the way with some well-known Ellington pieces including Cottontail, Blue Ramble and Harlem Airshaft among others, under the brilliant direction of Jan Zawada. Every section of the orchestra blended effortlessly together, from the accomplished brass section to the drums and bass. Interspersed with this the choir sang George Shearing’s Songs and Sonnets, accompanied by Nick Blunn on keyboard and George Tate on bass. From the upbeat Live With Me and Be My Love to the hauntingly beautiful Who is Silvia, the choir were well balanced and even a little restrained before the main excitement yet to come.
Ellington called his Sacred Concert ‘the most important thing I have ever done’ and his spirit was surely present as the glorious opening chorus ‘Praise God and Dance’ filled the church. The energy given off by choir and band alike was infectious, with magnificent vocals from Gloria Miller soaring above it all during the sublime Heaven and T.G.T.T. The joyous Freedom suite, with the refrain shouted at one point in twelve languages and including the funky Sweet, Fat and That, gave way to the more reflective The Majesty of God and Come Sunday before tap dancer Leslie Garcia took to the stage during David Danced Before The Lord. His performance almost quite literally brought the house down, with many audience members standing up to get a better view. ‘He left me breathless with all his energy and amazed at all the different steps’ was one comment amongst many. Credit too must be given to conductor Michael Servant who kept everyone under control and delivered a concert that will stay in the memory for a long time to come. The energetic and uplifting finale ended in huge applause for what was the most outstanding and thrilling occasion.
