Name: PORGY AND BESS
Start: 2026-06-25T20:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-06-25T22:00:00+01:00
Location: Piano Smithfield

PORGY AND BESS

Piano Smithfield

Gershwin’s Masterpiece, reimagined for the 21 st century.

Doors: 7pm, Show: 8-10pmA new jazz suite from Chris Coull featuring award-winning vocalist Imogen Ryall, playing the music of George Gershwin in an engaging and enthralling story that is both accessible and permeates the traditions of the post-bop jazz movement. Embark on a story through time as we take you to 1930’s Charleston and a love story between down on his luck ‘Porgy’ and the sassy ‘Bess’. Featuring songs instantly recognisable (Ain’t Necessarily So, I Love You Porgy, and of course Summertime), unhackneyed classics (I’ve Got Plenty Of Nothing, There’s a Boat Leaving Soon For New York) and rarely heard gems (Buzzard Song, Prayer, Strawberry Woman).Chris Coull has a wide and varied jazz career; cutting his teeth inhis native Manchester and winning the YTV prize in jazz arranging before becoming musical director at ‘Doha Jazz’ through the noughties. For the past 15 years, he has made waves in his adopted home of Brighton and Hove, running the hugely successful “Speakeasy Jazzz Club” and weekly concerts (‘Jazz At St Andrews’) featuring the cream of British jazz (Clare Martin, Tony Kofi, Alan Barnes et al) as well as stars on tour (Ralph Moore, Howard Alden)In this project, Chris has brought together three of the finest rhythm section players London has to offer, one of the finest vocalists on the UK scene and his own skills to create a dynamic, swinging and above all, thoughtfully hip jazz suite that swings from hard bop grooves, sumptuous ballads, toe tapping Latin grooves and orchestrally inspired harmonies: Using the original 1935 Gershwin score, influences from the seminal record from Miles Davis and Gil Evans, and nuggets of gold fromBlueNote’s heyday, the result is a narrated concert full of twists and turns in both plot and form. John Turville (piano) John Turville has developed a reputation as ‘one of the leading jazz pianists of his generation’ (Ian Mann). After studies at Caius College, Cambridge and the Guildhall, he quickly established himself as a performer and composer on the European scene. John has recorded three albums as a leader, which have won multiple awards, including MOJO’s #3 Jazz Album of the Year, ‘Best Album’ in the Parliamentary Awards 2011 and the 2009 PRS Promoter’s Choice Award. John was also awarded the ‘Best Instrumentalist&amp;#39; prize in the inaugural 2010 London Jazz Awards.Simon Thorpe (double bass) Simon Thorpe is one of the UK&amp;#39;s best-known jazz bassists, nominated in 2016 and 2017 for a British Jazz Award. Simon has worked with many of the great UK and US names in jazz, Stacey Kent (with whom he recorded five albums), Scott Hamilton, Benn Clatworthy etc. Outside the jazz sphere, he has played with artists as diverse as Amy Winehouse, Imelda Staunton, Imogen Heap, Alexander Armstrong, Maria Ewing, Mica Paris, Rick Astley (yes!), Sean McGowan of the Pogues and Scottish folk fiddle wizard John McCusker. Simon is also a composer, writing for theatre, jazz ensembles, BBC TV and BAFTA award-winning short film, Wedding Espresso.Matt Fishwick (drums) One of the most highly regarded drummers on the UK jazz scene. Matt grew up in Manchester before studying at the Royal Academy of Music. Since graduating, Matt has lived and worked in New York and London, performing at renowned venues such as Small's, Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Smoke, The Iridium, Ronnie Scott&amp;#39;s; worked throughout Europe and performed on many recordings in the UK, Europe and USA with the likes of Cedar Walton, Michael Weiss Harry Allen, Ken Peplowski, Pete King, Warren Vache, Bob Cranshaw, David Wong. “There’s a special place in my heart for Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess by Chris Coull, love the arrangements and vocals by Imogen Ryall. Chris’s plays beautifully throughout” – Ralph Moore“This is a lovely reading of Gershwin’s magnificent Porgy and Bess Suite. Imogen Ryall has great intonation, crystal clear diction and a real sense of the theatre of the pieces and Chris Coull contributes beautifully toned and inventive trumpet solos and sensitive backings to the vocals. Wonderful swinging&nbsp;trio&nbsp;as&nbsp;well” - ALAN BARNES

PORGY AND BESS

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PORGY AND BESS

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