“Combining jazz and classical idioms is a tricky business, but this succeeds splendidly.”
The Observer

"terrific – wonderful players and the programme and various bits of interwoven conversation/talk were perfectly judged."
Damian Thantrey, Lichfield Festival

The Art of Improvisation

New Focus: The Classical Connection highlights the many traits shared by classical composers and jazz musicians. Audiences hear why Franz Liszt and Erroll Garner both loved the key of D flat major and get an impression of Mozart sitting in on the Duke Ellington Orchestra's theme tune, Take the A Train. George Gershwin's love of Ravel and Debussy and his major contribution to the jazz canon and Erik Satie's influence on Miles Davis' classic Kind of Blue album are also explored in addition to original pieces from their two New Focus albums.

Pianist Euan Stevenson and saxophonist Konrad Wiszniewski are two of Scotland's leading musicians. Their New Focus partnership takes its name from a project commissioned to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of saxophone giant Stan Getz's classic 1961 album, Focus, and has expanded to include The Classical Connection. Having been awarded five stars by The Herald's Keith Bruce in 2019, the Classical Connection has developed into a brilliantly entertaining, fascinatingly informative and above all, musically outstanding presentation.

Bookings

For New Focus booking information please
contact Rob Adams.