 This is Tubagility!
Fantastic new Tubagility solo album available this Autumn
Nick has just finished his latest album project. This fantastic new collection has been recorded over the last year and is entitled THIS IS TUBAGILITY.
The album is both original and challenging, featuring wonderful new compositions from young British composers. You will also hear some freshly interpreted works of Prog Rock, Funk and Jazz that feature breathtaking performances by Nick’s ensemble BASSCRAFT and The Band from U.N.C.L.E.
THIS IS TUBAGILITY has new works from award winning Scottish composer Tom Harrold. BEASTIE is for tuned percussion, Drums and Tuba and a new funk work TUBAMS includes Drums and Hammond Organ. Tom’s works really let the Tuba groove with the engine room of the band.
A highlight of the album is the astonishing Concerto for Tuba, Marimba and Rock Band WHAT THE HECK performed by BASSCRAFT. This substantial four movement work by John Paul Gandy is a virtuoso showcase for both soloist and ensemble and is part homage to Frank Zappa which romps through a host of styles, textures, both comic and serious.
BASSCRAFT also opens the album with a fiery performance of the King Crimson’s classic 21ST CENTURY SCHIZOID MAN.
The Band from U.N.C.L.E. returns with another set of crazy and much loved tunes which include ENTER THE DRAGON and THE NEW AVENGERS. The electro pop classic POPCORN is even reworked for 4 Tubas, kit and Stylophone!!
THIS IS TUBAGILITY is scheduled for release in October 2009.
New Projects for 2009/10
Prog Plus
Prog Plus is Nick’s next album project and will be a collection of the uniquely British musical genre Progressive Rock. Nick has always had a passion for Prog rock and this album will feature reinvented classics as well as new progressive works by enthusiastic young composers who are embracing the genre.
The concept for Tubagility began when working with fellow musicians, arrangers and composers, to create new works with tuba and ensemble for us to perform that were musically interesting, satisfying to play, and practical to perform for all levels of performer from school concert to professional recital.
The tuba and low brass repertoire is littered with music that overwhelms the listener with a daunting array of super abundant technique but sadly this can often under whelm in a musical content.
Many of the soloistic pieces of music I have learnt over the years as a performer have left me cold, frustrated, and unsatisfied, but more fundamentally I believe that some of this music often holds little or no interest to the more general listening public, so I set about finding music that I wanted to perform and I believed friends would like to listen to and enjoy. My album ‘One Clear Call’ is the first result from this project. |
One Clear Call
One Clear Call is my new album which includes over an hour of new music featuring performances from over 40 of London’s finest young professional musicians.
With colourful new works, skilful and sympathetic arrangements, from Shostakovich to Jaco Pastorius, and fantastic new compositions from talented British composers, Dave Powell and Ben Ellin (both tuba players), I believe there is something here for everyone.
New Projects and Music for 2008
Now that One Clear Call has been released I am ready to record my latest collection of commissions. This new selection will also be fabulous to listen to and wonderful to perform, I am looking forward to the challenge of recording them. As we record them I shall put them up on this site to listen to.
New recording projects for 2008 include-
The Return of the Band from Uncle.
More fun and funky tracks for TV Big Band arranged by John O Neill.
Recorded January 08 and available soon, including-
The New Avengers
Are You Being Served
Popcorn
Enter the Dragon
What the Heck!
By J.P.Gandy .A 16 Minute Concerto for Tuba, Marimba and Jazz/Rock Ensemble scores for solo tuba and Marimba ,Drums, Percussion, String bass, Alto sax/ Bass clarinet, Trombone, and Trumpet!
This virtuosic four movement work includes four movements which end in an insane Jazz Calypso! This is going to be amazing!!
Justinian I
Composed by BBC Prom’s award winning young composer Joel Rust. This work was inspired by the ancient mosaic ceilings of Ravenna, and the Byzantine Emperor Justinian.
A three movement work scored for flute, Clarinet, Bassoon/Contrabassoon, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Tuba. Duration 8 minutes.
Beastie
This unusual work is by BBC Prom’s award winning composer Tom Harrold. This composition features two marimbas, Xylophone, Drum Kit and tuba. It’s minimal, funky and hypnotic. Duration 9 Minutes
The Three sisters
Inspired by the hills of the West Kerry Coast ,Irish/ French composer Sebastien Petiet as written a beautiful, atmospheric work for Irish Tin Whistles, Fiddle, Clarinet, Guitar, Banjo, 3 Flugal Horns and multiple Tubas. Duration 7 minutes.
Chamber Symphony
A colourful new work from well known composer, conductor and trombonist Simon Wills. This chamber Symphony is for Viola, Cello, String Bass, Bassoons, Clarinets, Oboes, Horns and Tuba. It is a wonderfully dark and reflective work. Duration 15 minutes.
Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto 1st Movement
This work was the first Concerto for the Tuba written back in 1954 and premiered by my first Tuba teacher Phil Catelinet.
I recorded this performance of the first movement in March this year with my old friend and Composer John Paul Gandy at the piano.
We will be collaborating again later this year to record his Concerto for Tuba, Marimba and group. |
