Posts

Iconoclassics at The Jazz Room

7 Star Arts announces the launch of a new series of concerts in the iconic Jazz Room at the Bull’s Head

Iconoclassics features leading, critically-acclaimed classical musicians, more at home in the world’s great concert halls than in a jazz club but all happy to break free from the conventional classical music scene. The small size of the Jazz Room creates a special connection between musicians and audience, and allows the musicians to present music in a more accessible and relaxed way.

In keeping with the main focus of The Jazz Room, programmes in the Iconoclassics series will explore links between classical music and jazz, and will include works by Ravel and Gershwin, two composers whose music crossed genres and pushed the boundaries of what we define as “classical music”.

Iconoclassics launches on 14 February 2018 with Classic Valentine – a special concert for Valentine’s Day featuring David Le Page (violin) and Viv McLean (piano). This will be followed on 11 March by a solo concert by internationally-acclaimed pianist Anthony Hewitt, who has been praised for his “fine, poetic and communicative musicianship” (BBC Music Magazine).

This promises to be an exciting and intriguing new series in an intimate and friendly venue.

 

Purists may balk at hearing classical music in a venue normally reserved for jazz, but the small size of the jazz room lends itself to the right kind of concentrated listening and intimacy of expression which this music demands and offers. And David Le Page and Viv McLean create a very special intimacy of their own – these musicians work together regularly and their empathy and mutual understanding is palpable in every note they play.

  • Frances Wilson/The Cross-Eyed Pianist

 

Events

ICONOCLASSICS with Anthony Hewitt, piano, at Café Yukari

After a sell out concerts last year, “remarkably gifted” concert pianist Anthony Hewitt returns to the friendly and convivial Cafe Yukari in Kew, to once again wow our audience with his vibrant and expressive playing in an imaginative and varied programme.

Tickets £30

Doors open 7pm to 7.30pm start

BOOK TICKETS

PROGRAMME TBA

ICONOCLASSICS features leading, critically-acclaimed classical musicians, more at home in the world’s great concert halls than in a café but all happy to break free from the conventional classical music scene. The small size of the venue creates a special connection between musicians and audience, and allows the musicians to present music in a more accessible and relaxed way. Concert-goers can mingle with other music lovers and meet the artists after the performance.

Praise for 7 Star Arts at Cafe Yukari:
“a truly uplifting evening of beautiful music!”
“better than Wigmore Hall!”
“such a friendly atmosphere…”
“Inspiring, inspired”
“What a charming experience …to listen to first-class music and eat delicious food while outside, beyond the fairy lights, commuters pour out of Kew Gardens Station”
Please note: there is no refund for tickets unless we have to cancel the event

ICONOCLASSICS: Minimalist Stories with Waka Hasegawa, piano, at Café Yukari

Pianist Waka Hasegawa makes her ICONOCLASSICS debut at Cafe Yukari with a programme exploring minimalist music by Steve Reich and Joe Hisaishi

Tickets £30

Doors open 7pm to 7.30pm start

BOOK TICKETS

PROGRAMME TBA

ICONOCLASSICS features leading, critically-acclaimed classical musicians, more at home in the world’s great concert halls than in a café but all happy to break free from the conventional classical music scene. The small size of the venue creates a special connection between musicians and audience, and allows the musicians to present music in a more accessible and relaxed way. Concert-goers can mingle with other music lovers and meet the artists after the performance.

Praise for 7 Star Arts at Cafe Yukari:
“a truly uplifting evening of beautiful music!”
“better than Wigmore Hall!”
“such a friendly atmosphere…”
“Inspiring, inspired”
“What a charming experience …to listen to first-class music and eat delicious food while outside, beyond the fairy lights, commuters pour out of Kew Gardens Station”

 

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Waka Hasegawa began her piano studies at the age  of four and made her concerto debut at nine in her hometown of Chiba.  Her talent was discovered by the renowned Czech pianist Jan Panenka at  the Kirishima International Music Festival, leading her to audition and  earn a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London  under Piers Lane.

Since her debut at Purcell Room, Royal Festival Hall, presented by Park Lane Group, Waka’s passion for collaborating with living composers has driven her to perform contemporary and lesser-known repertoire.

In addition to her solo career, Waka has  established herself as part of the internationally acclaimed piano  duo “Piano 4 Hands” with British pianist Joseph Tong. She has given  solo recitals across the UK, America, Europe, and Japan. Her solo  album, Undiscovered Piano Works  by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, released on the Metropolis/Naxos label, has garnered worldwide interest and airplay on Classic FM and various international radio stations.

Waka is also a dedicated piano teacher and the director of music at Dulwich Music Academy.

Please note: there is no refund for tickets unless we have to cancel the event