Exeter Chamber Choir celebrated summer in July by teaming up with Le Jazz Quartet for a joyful and uplifting programme of “Summer Lovin’”, at Newton St. Cyres Parish Church on Friday, July 1st, and St. Disen’s Church Bradninch on Tuesday, July 5th.

The audiences were very enthusiastic at both venues, and included quite a number of children and young people. These concerts were free for children and students and we are delighted to be able to confirm that this will now be the Chamber Choir’s policy for all future concerts.

The choir presented “Songs of Love”, a new setting of seven love poems from Schubert songs, composed for choir and jazz quartet, by conductor, Andrew Daldorph. The songs were divided between the two halves of the programme and interspersed with various numbers from the band.

Chris Gradwell brought the house down with his virtuoso clarinet playing in “Dizzy Fingers” and his “bendy saxophone” rendition of the beautiful Earl Bostic song, “Velvet Sunset”, whilst Gary Evans on drums featured with some stylish playing in Neal Hefti’s toe-tapping “Cute”. Mike Thorn on double bass also had his moment of prominence, with the pedal tune in Andrew Daldorph’s inspired jazz version of the Widor Toccata, “Lavido Latino”.