Toe-tapping, soulful, big band, skilful – the finest music in a lovely space
We’re introducing more musical genres every season and would love to hear from you if there’s a particular type of music you’d like to hear at Cornerstone. This season we’ve got a smorgasbord of styles and hopefully something to suit every taste.
Finger pickin’, foot tappin’, southern states musical delights come from The Coal Porters, perhaps the only band to do ‘Teenage Kicks’ in a hoe-down style!
Ben Waters played at Jools Holland’s wedding and Hugh Laurie’s 50th birthday party, and has performed over 3000 gigs across the world, even though he’s only 35 years old. Not that any of us are name droppers, but we’ve seen him too and he really is electric. Boogie woogie piano, fast and furious with a five piece band. It’s incredibly impressive.
Ola Onabule has a five octave range and genuine charisma. Singing a mixture of soul, jazz, funk and blues he absolutely wowed everyone last time he came to Cornerstone and left customers clamouring for us to bring him back.
You’ve told us that you want to have access to classical music here, and we agree. So we are delighted that the nationally renowned Orchestra of St John’s coming with another of their ensembles – this time a Wind Quintet. We’ve also got more in our series of Cushion Concerts where a professional musician gently introduces your little one to a different classical instrument each time – this season the flute and the violin.
Jazz is represented by the Dixieland All Stars in all their glory – five top musicians playing trumpet, trombone, clarinet, bass and drums. ‘Modern Dixieland’ jam-style jazz – nice!
Pop icons come in the form of the wonderfully talented and lovely Hazel O’Connor, back with a brand new line up, and Beverley Craven - remember ‘Promise Me’ from 1991? We couldn’t stop singing it then, and we can’t stop singing it in the office now!
Folk music is not forgotten and we’ve got Irish and New Zealand supercharged superstars Grada with their take on traditional folk tunes and contemporary compositions, all with a beautiful folk lilt. Folk icons Robin Williamson and John Renbourn play traditional music on fiddle and guitar, with a combined playing experience of over 80 years and 50 instruments between them!
Finally, a treat indeed in the form of Michael Weston King. If you like any kind of rootsy music, Americana or alternative country we know you will like MWK. He’s a genuine folk troubadour – moving from place to place around the world collecting and performing songs. He’s a real unsung star and a gig with him in our intimate auditorium will be a special evening.
And of course we cannot forget Cornerstone favourites Opera Della Luna returning with the hilarious Gilbert and Sullivan operetta The Sorcerer. This was G&S’s first full length production and tells the tale of a love potion gone awry. Typical Gilbert and Sullivan wit and wordplay with wonderful songs – we can’t wait!
A quick guide to music: