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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department's ¡§Jazz Up¡¨ series in 2008 will introduce to Hong Kong jazz lovers the Danish band Pierre DÈûrge and New Jungle Orchestra (NJO).
"Pierre DÈûrge's NJO has been one of jazz's most consistently engaging big bands of the last decade." - Down Beat
The big band with Pierre DÈûrge as conductor and guitarist, includes cornettist Kasper Tranberg, clarinettist and alto-saxophonist Anders Banke, soprano and tenor-saxophonist Jakob Mygind, trombonist Kenneth Agerholm, pianist and keyboard player Irene Becker, bass Thommy Andersson, congas player and percussionist Ayi-Solomon, as well as drummer Martin Andersen.
Pierre DÈûrge and New Jungle Orchestra have been around since 1980, and was the first jazz orchestra to be honoured as the official Danish State Ensemble from 1993 to 1996. With a mixture of jazz, Asian, African and European music - and general madness - they create their own dadaistic universe, which gives the audience a unique and extraordinary experience. As is often the case, they are best when live on stage, where you can hear music created by the saxophonist chewing on a leaf or Pierre playing a children's music box. Other objects include seashells used as trumpets or various Asian and African musical instruments. There are no limits and the joy and humour guarantee a memorable concert. Pierre DÈûrge is a worthy heir to the Ellington legacy. In the last few years the orchestra has played all over the world, including Australia in 2006, and the USA, Canada, Finland, Ireland, Thailand and New Zealand in 2007. They have toured to more than 30 countries, and have recorded more than 15 albums.
The concert by "Pierre DÈûrge and New Jungle Orchestra (Denmark)" will be staged at 8pm, on September 23 (Tuesday) at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $300, $220 and $150 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens aged 60 or over, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for students and CSSA recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis). A 10% discount will be offered for each purchase of standard tickets for the two ¡§Jazz Up¡¨ concerts, "Pierre DÈûrge and New Jungle Orchestra (Denmark)" and "McCoy Tyner Quartet (USA)".
For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries and reservations call 2734 9009. Internet bookings are available at www.urbtix.hk. For credit card telephone bookings, call 2111 5999. Visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp for more information on the programme.
Ends/Monday, July 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:45
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