CULTURE CLUB
GREAT GIGS
GOOD LOVELIES 17 JANUARY, CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION
HOMECOMING HOMEGROWN TALENT Ahead of his performance at West Road
Concert Hall, Lisa Clatworthy speaks with BBC Young Musician of the Year, Jordan Ashman When the BBC Young Musician of the Year (YMOTY) Jordan Ashman played at Hills Road Sixth Form last summer, someone in the audience asked where he came from. His mum answered ‘from me and him’ pointing at herself and his dad. She’ll get the chance to do so again when Jordan plays with the City of Cambridge Symphony Orchestra (CCSO) at West Road Concert Hall on 3 February. The young musician, currently studying at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, has his roots firmly in Cambridge. Growing up in Milton, he went to Impington Village College then Hills Road Sixth Form. Histon and Impington Feast, Strawberry Fair and Mill Road’s Relevant Records number among his first performances. When he returns home in February, it will be to play Concerto No.1 for Marimba by Ney Rosauro. Recalling CCSO’s invitation, he explains “They asked if I could play the Jennifer Higdon concerto, which is what I played for the final of the YMOTY. Unfortunately, it’s hard to put together in terms of instruments. So, I suggested this concerto I already knew. It’s very tuneful and has a lot going on. It’s quite jazzy.” The concerto is the perfect opportunity to not only hear one of the country’s best young performers, but also to watch the visual spectacular. After all, at about 2.6 metres long the marimba is a big presence on stage. “The physicality of playing it is something you have to consider. You can’t sit down in one place, you’ve got to move around a lot. It can be interesting for an audience to watch.” If anyone doubts that statement, check out the YMOTY final on BBC iPlayer. You’ll spot Jordan run across the stage at one point. While Jordan won’t be running at West Road, he’s certainly already putting in the training for this concert. When asked about practice, he admits “Last year, I wasn’t amazing at knowing how long I would need. Now, I’ve taken a different mindset so I started in autumn. I’m just keeping it ticking over an hour or so a day. This way, the music is always in my head and I get a good understanding of the piece.” Another difference Jordan would like to see is the next generation getting involved in music. With less emphasis on school music now, he’s aware “any youngster who could possibly be the best musician in the world might not get the opportunity to find out.” He hopes that concerts like the one at Hills Road and this one with CCSO “will make more people want to make more music”. See Jordan Ashman with the CCSO at West Road Concert Hall on Saturday 3 February at 7.30pm. Tickets: £20, £10 for students, £6 for under 14s. adcticketing.com
HUGH CORNWELL WITH THE PRIMITIVES
17 JANUARY, APEX, BURY ST EDMUNDS
JESCA HOOP 23 JANUARY, THE PORTLAND
THE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW 27 JANUARY, CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE
SUPERSTAR SHOOTOUT Chaka Khan (above) will join Jessie Ware (right on 9 June, echoing Lionel Ritchie’s (bottom) performance last year
CVC 31 JANUARY, MASH
10 JANUARY 2024 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
Powered by FlippingBook