Enveloped in Red with Jules Gray and Rich Batsford
Birmingham Buddhist Centre, 11 Park Road, Moseley, B13 8AB
Sat April 14th 7.30pm £5/£3 on the door
Hi Folks
Just wanted to let you know about a special performance from two lyrical and intense acoustic performers in the beautiful (and red) setting of the main shrine room at the Buddhist Centre.
Jules Gray is a Celtic mongrel singer/songwriter who grew up playing the dancehalls and clubs of Yorkshire and Birmingham. He has sung and written for a number of successful bands including Onionhead, Tenderloin and most recently, Parachute.
In 2004 he recorded his first solo album inviting favourable comparisons to Neil Young, Bob Dylan, The Waterboys, REM and Roy Harper.
The quality of Rich Batsford’s solo piano music is marking him as one of the most exciting new contemporary composer/performers in the UK. The unique body of music which is to comprise the album Valentine Court has been compared to pianist/composers such as Ludovico Einaudi, Michael Nyman, Steve Reich, Keith Jarret, Debussy and Satie.
His music is accessible yet involving, structured and minimalist, melodic and harmonic, contemporary yet timeless. It successfully maintains an overall meditative and almost spiritual tone, but within that framework offers a range of powerful moods and emotions, with moments of stillness and exciting builds towards powerful crescendos.
Rich will also include some of his personal songs of reflection and both performers will unite for a brief closing set featuring songs from one of the musicians they both admire greatly, Brian Wilson.
Both musicians are experienced performers who separately found their creative pursuits to be an element of a spiritual drive which brought them together in regular visits to the Buddhist Centre. A portion of the profits from the event will go to the upkeep of the Centre.
Samples from Jules Gray’s debut solo album
www.jules.rusties.netFull length tracks from Rich Batsford
www.myspace.com/richbatsford Itd be lovely to see you there
Rich
Xx