The accomplished jazz woodwind player Giacomo Smith, along with his Hot Five, held a special evening concert in the newly refurbished Silk Hall alongside the College’s own groups, including the Jazz Ensemble, Big Band, and 5’9. Jovan (6.2, J) sang ‘St James Infirmary’, while August (6.1, G) performed ‘The Very Thought of You’ and ‘I Loves You, Porgy’.
Other highlights included students collaborating with Smith on the composer’s own compositions and arrangements, including ‘Two Four No More’ and ‘Blues Overture’. The show was, according to the Warden at a later staff meeting, one of the best performances he’d seen at Radley throughout his entire tenure.
After flying in from a gig in Copenhagen the night before, Giacomo and pianist Joe Webb had begun the day at Radley with a mesmerising duo performance in front of Radley’s pianists and single-reed woodwind players. From there, Joe took the pianists off to the new recital room to take them on a journey through the development of jazz piano from the 1890s through to 1940. Joe is widely considered to be one of the world’s greatest living stride-piano players and the boys couldn’t quite believe what Joe was capable of doing with only two hands! Jake (6.1, A) said “I had a wonderful experience – Joe Webb’s awe-inspiring performance made a lasting impression on me”.
Giacomo remained in the Silk Hall to deliver a woodwind workshop to the college’s saxophonists and clarinettists. Throughout the afternoon before the concert, Giacomo and Joe delivered workshops with each of the groups and singers that were performing in the evening. Guy (6.2, C) said, “I had an absolutely amazing time working with everyone. It was so cool to play alongside and be coached by such world-class professionals!” August (6.1, G) added, “I had a lot of fun and thought it was great to experience the level of talent and professionalism that Giacomo’s band had.”
