Sandy studied Music at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, worked as Music Director for the RCA, National Theatre and in London’s West End and was one of a team of music presenters on BBC Radio 3.
He enjoys a varied career that embraces broadcasting, conducting, playing double bass and communicating his passion for music.
THE AGE OF JAZZ
One hundred years ago a group of American musicians docked in London, bringing with them for the first time one of the 20th century’s most important musical genres: jazz, a fascinating blend of rigorous structures free-wheeling creativity, close-knit ensemble work and improvisation. Sandy’s lecture covers jazz beginnings through to the start of the Second World War. Drawing on his practical experience both as a musicologist and gigging musician, he is able to shed light on jazz from the inside. His illustrations range from early pre- impressions by Maurice Ravel and the very earliest jazz recordings through to classics by Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five and The Duke Ellington Orchestra and the dawn of the Swing Era.
Drinks from 5.30pm will precede this lecture.