University of Southampton students perform ‘mind blowing’ concert with internationally renowned jazz trio

‘Inspiring’, ‘thrilling’ and ‘mind blowing’ were just some of the audience responses after the Daniel Herskedal Trio with Strings concert at Turner Sims on Saturday 20th February. In a project specially created for Turner Sims, tuba player Daniel Herskedal and his brilliant trio joined forces with 15 University of Southampton music students to perform music from his highly applauded Edition Records album Slow Eastbound Train.

The partnership was initiated by Concert Hall Manager Kevin Appleby last summer after hearing Daniel’s album which featured a string orchestra. After conversations with Music’s Head of Strings Paul Cox, 15 students began rehearsing in November 2015. They were joined by Daniel and his fellow band members (pianist Eyolf Dale and percussionist Helge Andreas Norbakken) for three days of workshops prior to the concert, which proved to be the climax of one of the most extraordinary collaborative projects Turner Sims has hosted to date.

Kevin Appleby says Daniel is still buzzing about the project, not only because it was the first time he has performed the music from his album live with a full string orchestra (in the past it's always been with a string quartet) but because of the enthusiasm, commitment and quality of the students and Paul in making it work so well. It showed off both Turner Sims and the University at their best. It's a perfect example of a project that has brought together the Turner Sims expertise, skills and networks with Music Department open-mindedness to deliver something that has really made a difference to all those who experienced it.

Jane Savidge, Chair of the Arts Strategy Steering Group says This is a lovely example of how the arts venues open up opportunities for our students, bringing together professional performance, the academic community and our highly talented students for the benefit of all.

The Daniel Herskedal Project received support by the Royal Norwegian Embassy

Images taken by Italian jazz journalist, author and photographer Luca Vitali whose exhibition The Sound of the North can be enjoyed in the Turner Sims Foyer until Friday 1 April.