26 Jun 2018
Marvellous local supporters John and Glynis Billett are organising a Christmas Community Event in support of St Andrew’s Club. For all ages, interests and beliefs starting at 7pm on Thursday December 13 at St Stephen’s Church, Rochester Row, London SW1, supported by Knight Frank, the world’s largest privately owned global property consultancy.
An evening of entertainment and fellowship - featuring both readings and Christmas hymns, carols and songs of diverse natures, followed by a food and drinks reception in the Westminster College, around the corner in Vincent Square.
Performances by Etcetera, the Civil Service Choir; Westminster Children’s Choir; trumpets and piano from the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music & Drama and Royal College of Music; outstanding UK jazz singer Joanna Eden, with readings by Chelsea Pensioners, a Buddhist follower and our supporters Knight Frank, among many others, not forgetting audience participation. Continue reading below for further details of some of the wonderful performers.
Etcetera
Etcetera have performed over 30 public concerts and 50+ other events, including Poulenc’s Stabat Mater, Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor, Beethoven’s Mass in C and other large scale choral works at the prestigious St John’s Smith Square; and other concerts at the Guards’ Chapel, Wellington Barracks; in the Brandenburg London Choral Festival; in Belgium; here at St Stephen’s and in a number of Government buildings. Watch and hear Etcetera in action here.
Joanna Eden
A leading and in demand U.K. jazz singer /pianist, with her 4th album of original compositions “Truth Tree” released in October, Joanna has enjoyed considerable success as the vocalist in the group “Jazz At The Movies”. She has developed her own following with London concerts at Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express and The Other Palace Studio performing “Embraceable Ella”; “The Music of Joni Mitchell” and her “Latin Experience “ in this year’s London Jazz Festival. She has enjoyed particular attention in recent years as Sam Smith’s singing teacher. Watch and hear Joanna in action here.
Alexandra Ridout
Alexandra has been playing the trumpet since she was nine. At 17, she was the winner of the BBC Young Musician Jazz Award 2016. Later that year she was a runner up in the British Jazz Awards ‘Rising Star’ category and again in 2017. Then in Autumn 2018, Alexandra was awarded the gold medal in this category! Alexandra began studying at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music September ’17 on a scholarship. She performs around the country in Festivals, Arts Centres, Music Societies and all major Jazz clubs with ‘The Alexandra Ridout Quintet’ ; NYJO (National Youth Jazz Orchestra); Clark Tracey’s Tribute to Stan Tracey’s Hexad; The Barford/Stoneman Organ Quintet and ‘The Ridouts’ a family band. Watch and hear Alexandra in action here.
Gareth Lockrane
Gareth, a leading flute and piccolo musician, is Head of Junior Jazz and Jazz Studies at the Royal Academy of Music and composer of feature film, documentary and animation cinema. Among many bands and orchestras under his direction, the award winning Gareth Lockrane Big Band, playing Gareth’s original compositions and arrangements, is nominated in the 2018 British Jazz Awards. The band performed brilliantly at Pizza Express Dean Street and at The Other Palace Studio in the London Jazz Festival and enjoys international recognition as the first U.K. band to attain world class status. Watch and hear Gareth in action here.
Noel McCalla
Noel’s long association with the brilliant Morrisey Mullen Band earned him acclaim as “one of Britain’s best Soul Singers” (Blues and Soul Magazine) and, for more than 19 years, Noel's searing, soulful vocals were featured with the iconic Manfred Mann's "Earth Band". He is currently enjoying considerable success across the U.K. with his Noel McCalla Quartet and also the “Some Kinda’ Wonderful” show performing the music of Stevie Wonder supported by the hard driving saxophone ofDerek Nash with his band. Watch and hear Noel in action here.
John Billett
In this recent Telegraph article, John tells how after a successful business career in advertising he reinvented himself as a jazz promoter.
DOORS OPEN AT 6.30PM.
Buy tickets through Eventbrite below, or contact Lucy at lucy@standrewsclub.com to buy tickets to collect from St Andrew's Club, or, if available, you may be able to buy them on the night - £10 for the concert and £40 for the concert and subsequent reception.