For Tim Garland‘s gig at World HeartBeat on 6 September, his Lighthouse Trio – with Gwilym Simcock and Asaf Sirkis – will be joined by Yazz Ahmed. There is also going to be a pre-concert session beforehand in which Yazz and Esra Kizir Gokcen will discuss cultural boundary-crossing and the therapeutic power of art. Music, literally then, set in the bigger picture, with artworks from Esra’s workshops working with migrant communities… (See also Tim Garland’s note below about free Artist Tickets!)
Tim Garland writes: “From my very first album Points On The Curve ( 1988 ) – surely impossible to find now – I have been driven to make music from the power of an adjacent art form, in that early case, it was poetry. Many years later life is just as exciting, taking in the influence of visual art as many musicians do, and its natural facility to express cross-culturalism.
Working alongside Turkish artist Esra Kizir Gokcen I’ve been able to witness the power of art during her workshop sessions for migrant communities. The Lighthouse Trio plays live this year with Esra’s own dynamic art projected behind us, with increasingly, additional artwork from these workshop participants. It is wonderful for me as a band-leader to even now, ESPECIALLY now, be so energised and challenged by what Gwilym Simcock and Asaf Sirkis can create out of the framework of my compositions. How much more rewarding is it to see all this framed within a bigger picture, what larger narrative emerges!
We are delighted to welcome as guest Yazz Ahmed on flugelhorn and electronics. A musician aware of her own inner and outer journeys, she’ll be sharing some words, as well as her great sound, at Ambleside on 30th August, and at World HeartBeat on 6th September when artist Gokcen also joins us in person.
We have set aside a few free tickets for the 6th, to encourage those who may have attended these workshops to come along. We have 15 freebies going! An agreement to create “Artist Tickets” with the venue website has meant we can encourage people who may not ordinarily be able to come, or perhaps you’d like to gift a ticket to someone who has never gone to a concert like this. If you CAN afford a ticket at normal price please do so to support this venue and their outreach work. To get free tickets click first on Artist tickets on the World Heart Beat site, Near the end at checkout there is a box to put the code lighthouse
I am looking forward to sharing not just the joyful musical exploration, but the sense of sharing that this broad project has nurtured.”
Esra Kizir Gokcen writes : “Being an artist from Istanbul, where Europe and Asia meet has had an abiding influence on my artistic style. I found remarkable similarities in the synthesis of musical styles in The Lighthouse Trio. Moment Of Departure has created an inspirational platform where I could share the same source of inspiration as Tim. Just like his natural balance of improvised elements with disciplined notation for the orchestra on this album, I used spontaneous splashes of colour to coexist with layers of disciplined small details in my artworks. I’m looking forward to sharing this collaboration, especially with those who we’ve shared our stories and creativity in the art workshops”.
NOTE: Esra Kizir Gokcen’s art derives inspiration from the wisdom of self-inquiry and its relationship with nature. Spontaneity is her way of emphasising the “uncontrollable” in life. Esra compliments this seeming randomness with multiple layers of subtle detail creating a vibrant narrative. Such detail finds its root in eastern miniature art and calligraphy. Her latest works are mostly related to migration, contemplation and spirituality.
Yazz Ahmed writes:
“I’m really looking forward to the gigs I’ll playing with Tim – my improvisation tutor at the Guildhall long ago – and the Lighthouse Trio. I first knew Gwilym as a French horn player in NYJO believe it or not and Asaf has played in my quartet and we’ve also shared the stage recently with the wonderful Natacha Atlas.
On Moment of Departure I play on the track SubVita. Tim asked me to make underwater sounds on my flugelhorn, and I feel a strong connection with water. The name of my childhood home, Bahrain, refers to the sweet water springs found on the island which is surrounded by the salty sea. Many of my recent compositions are inspired by the songs of sirens, mermaids and the water spirits who feature in Bahraini folklore.
On my album La Saboteuse, the personification of my imposter syndrome was depicted by the wonderful artist Sophie Bass as an evil underwater mermaid preying on her victims. This led me to compose, A Shoal of Souls, dedicated to those who have lost their lives in the Mediterranean, and closer to home, in recent years, simply seeking a better future. My relationship with Sophie and her art is ongoing, we seem to inspire each other.
My own musical palette draws from my mixed heritage, Middle Eastern scales and rhythms blended with improvisation and harmony from jazz. These elements are filtered through my fascination with electronic sound design, formal compositional structures and a love of wildness and the unexpected.”
Yazz Ahmed will also be on two other Lighthouse Tour concerts:
* 30 Aug Ambleside Days on 30th Aug (see feature)
* 19 Nov EFG LJF ( also with Thomas Gould and the Britten Sinfonia ) .
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