Adam Simmons Brings Melbourne Premiere of TRAVELLING TALES to fortyfivedownstairs

Hotter-than-hot musical wunderkind Adam Simmons brings the Melbourne premiere of his musical suite Travelling Tales to fortyfivedownstairs from December 7-10.

Simmons will perform this rapturous avant garde-jazz-classical suite with the 20-piece world-class Arcko Ensemble, conducted by Timothy Phillips.

Simmons composed and first performed Travelling Tales for the 2013 Piraeus Festival in Athens, Greece, with the Intrarti Orchestra. The work comprises musical vignettes inspired by his worldwide travels, love of Japanese shakuhachi music, and profound belief in the usefulness of art.

It will be the third in his acclaimed The Usefulness of Art concert series. Comprising five concerts over two years, The Usefulness of Art series is inspired by a Rodin quote, and is the driving force behind Simmons' formidable musical career.

The first two concerts have elicited rapturous praise from critics and audiences alike. The Age Classical Reviewer, Clive O'Connell, wrote, ''At a time when really adventurous musical events are rare, this night was a breath of fresh air, leaving you elated with its accomplishment.''

Des Cowley, Australian Book Review, described the second concert as, ''... a triumph in every way,'' and the Daily Review's Shane Murphy said, ''If the usefulness of art is to make one happy, then Simmons went a long way to doing so.''

A virtuoso player of saxophones, clarinets, flute and shakuhachi (Japanese flute), Simmons stretches the boundaries of modern composition and infuses a sense of wonder and playfulness into musical art forms better known for their gravitas.

His performances are not so much 'concerts' as staged auditory spectacles-drawing audiences in to share in the uniquely communal power and euphoria of his music and art.

Revered by his peers, lauded by critics and adored by audiences, up to now he's been somewhat of an unsung hero on the Melbourne music scene. This is all about to change; as well as co-directing a killer line-up at the latest Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues, he's just got a gig as artist-in-residence for FOMA MONA 2018 and won a spot in the Australia Council's prestigious Arts Leaders Program.

For Travelling Tales, Simmons chose to work with Timothy Phillips and the Arcko Ensemble not just because of their virtuoso playing but also their focus on Australian works and composers. With a 20-piece string orchestra and conductor, Simmons will be playing tenor and soprano saxophones as well as bass clarinet. Continuing the theatrically-inspired theme for his concerts, the musicians will be wearing costumes designed by Christine Crawford.

Travelling Tales (by Adam Simmons)

Featuring: Adam Simmons with Arcko Ensemble (directed by Timothy Phillips)

Dates: Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th December 2017, 7.30pm each night except Sunday matinee at 3pm. Concert duration: 60 minutes.

Venue: fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Ticket prices: $35 full / $30 concession

Ticketing URL: http://www.fortyfivedownstairs.com/wp2016/event/the-usefulness-of-art/

Phone bookings: 03 9662 9966

Email: info@fortyfivedownstairs.com

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