Rating: 3.9/5 (8 ratings)
In 2008 the Funky Bishops emerged as a true Big Band, having existed as a mixed jazz ensemble beforehand. With Alison Timms on board as Musical Director, there is now a regular 22 piece line-up featuring a frontline of saxes, 8 brass and 2 vocalists, with piano, bass, drums and guitar bringing up the rear. At first the Band began to cover some popular jazz repertoire, inspiring pupils to create some great arrangements. The repertoire has expanded from the original jive and big band swing standards to encompass a wide range of musical styles. A normal set includes these, plus soul, funk, blues and latin numbers.
More recently, having introduced the idea of a vocalist, our regular singer is Nathan Gayle. Trumpeter Penny Hodges also sometimes ‘singsteps’ up to the mic for a few numbers too.
Summer 2010 sees the Funky Bishops on a tour to Lyon and Vienne France. They are thrilled to have been accepted into Jazz à Vienne on Wednesday 7th July 2010 and will also enjoy two outdoor concerts in the centre of Lyon on the 6th and 8th July.
Concert no 1:
Place Docteur Gailleton, 6 July 2010 5pm – Free Entry
Music: Traditional jazz plus soul, funk, blues and latin numbers
Concert no 2:
Place de la Croix Rousse, 8 July 2010 5pm – Free Entry
Music: Traditional jazz plus soul, funk, blues and latin numbers
For several years the band has headlined at school events, playing concerts locally, and some members visiting Germany to share their music with other school children. Last year the Band went out into the local community, playing at Primary schools and a Special school. These workshops were both to educate and to entertain, and especially when the brass section got their hosepipes out!
The Funky Bishops also performed as part of the "Night of the Proms" in celebration of a busy season and alongside other musical styles. In the summer the Band featured as part of an outdoor charity fund-raising event, entertaining many who stood in the pouring rain to enjoy the music. Last Christmas the Funky Bishops played to a record audience of around 500 people. They are very keen to take their music abroad, and plan to cut their first disc this year.
Reviews:
Just to say a big thank-you. The performance was fantastic! It seems the Bishop Vesey students really did wow the audience. Please feel free to contact me again to arrange any future events.
Headteacher, Whitehouse Common School
Phew! I was absolutely gob-smacked by the quality of the concert last night. It was quite magnificent and the range of performance outstanding.
Clive Richards, MBE
….It really was an exciting and inspiring performance, and there is certainly some real musical talent in the school….
Richard Harwood, Harwoods Accountants
The concert was a wonderful occasion and the quality of the young musicians, without exception, was quite remarkable.
Sutton Coldfield Municipal Charities