Jazz by invitation
Led by Eastbourne College Director of Music, Nick Parrans-Smith, the Birley Centre Quintet includes Joe Hughes, Paul Kimber, Phil Merriman and Raul D’Oliveira.
Following a very successful event at Cumnor House School last year, the College musicians were invited to return during the recent half term to deliver a Jazz Day for pupils. The event was a great success and culminated in a toe-tapping performance by the children and the Birley Centre Quintet.
The audience applause was rapturous and comments received from parents and grandparents were extremely pleasing. Here are a couple of examples:
‘Last night was totally amazing. I brought my parents and they were jiving in their seats too. It could not have been better if we had been at Ronnie Scott’s!!’
‘We have just returned, still on a high, from your marvellous jazz concert. You all tapped into an exceptional seam of enthusiasm and talent among the children. Over the years we have heard many concerts at Cumnor but tonight was at a level of quality and engagement well ahead of anything we have witnessed earlier.’
‘Thank you for the hard work and the inspiration you provided for the children. They will feed on this for many, many years to come.’
