Wizard of Oz to headline BiC Fest

James Morrison will headline the 40th Brass in Concert Festival

The Organisers of the Brass in Concert Festival have announced that James Morrison - the 'Wizard of Oz' - will perform as guest soloist with Black Dyke, conducted by Nicholas Childs, in the World of Brass Gala Concert, the 'curtain-raiser' for the 40th annual Brass in Concert Championship at Sage Gateshead in November.

Announcing the news on behalf of the Brass in Concert management team,John Woods told BBW: “The appearance of the virtuosi multi-instrumentalist James Morrison along with the current European Champion band promises the finest World of Brass in Concert ever and we expect demand for tickets to be extremely high.”

He continued: “Having last seen James Morrison at British Bandsman’s 125th Anniversary Concert at Symphony Hall, Birmingham in 2012, we know this will be a concert not to be missed, as the combination of Black Dyke Band and James Morrison really does take brass entertainment and virtuosity to its limits!”

Black Dyke’s Musical Director, Nicholas Childs, added: “Black Dyke has a very special relationship with James Morrison and it will be a great pleasure for the band to perform with him at the Sage Gateshead. We have given some very special concerts together in the past and we can assure the World of Brass in Concert audience that this concert will be no exception. Those who have witnessed him playing will know what a special performer he is, but anyone hearing him for the first time can look forward to a remarkable experience. It really does have to be seen and heard to be believed!”

In a recent interview James Morrison told BBW: "In the jazz world playing with the likes of Black Dyke is the equivalent of playing with Count Basie or Duke Ellington! In fact one of the things in music that moves me the most is the sound of a brass band playing a hymn. It's very special and I love it.”  

John Woods also told BBW that the Brass in Concert Festival is being further expanded this year, with performances planned for the Saturday, in addition to the popular youth band concerts, Workshops and Taster Sessions. More details will be announced over the coming weeks, together with band and adjudicator line-ups for the Championship.

Tickets for World of Brass in Concert, featuring James Morrison and Black Dyke Band on Saturday 19 November (7.00 pm), priced £24.00, £18.00 and£10.00, and the Brass in Concert Championships on Sunday 20 November, priced £30.00, £22.00 and £12.00, are available from the Sage Gateshead Box Office on 0191 443 4661 or online here.

Read more from BBW's James Morrison Interview here.

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Photo: Multi-instrumentalist James Morrison courtesy Schagerl