News
May 20, 2013
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch has stormed global charts on first weekend of release
read more
May 16, 2013
Lufthansa looks forward to celebrating 30 years of the Lufthansa Festival of Baroque Music in 2014
read more
May 15, 2013
HRH The Prince of Wales instigates new Award to celebrate 20 years as President of Royal College of Music
read more
May 16, 2012
Signum Classics releases classical clarinettist Julian Bliss’s first foray into jazz
Tribute to Benny Goodman album launches at historic jazz club Ronnie Scott’s on 3 June, 1 – 3pm
Award-winning independent label Signum Classics releases 'A Tribute to Benny Goodman' with the internationally-renowned soloist Julian Bliss. The album is the classical virtuoso’s first venture into jazz and features some of Goodman’s best-loved songs like Stompin' at the Savoy, Goodbye and After You’ve Gone alongside more unusual repertoire. Bliss handpicked top London Jazz musicians for his ensemble with a specific interest in the music from the 30s and 40s in order to capture the distinctive sound of the era, including Jim Hart, Martin Shaw and Matt Skelton.
Julian Bliss says:
“This album and tour is the exciting realisation of a two-year-long journey. Benny Goodman was undoubtedly one of the world’s finest jazz clarinet players and we’ve strived to develop his unique sound, staying true to the authentic feel but naturally with a modern twist.”
Signum Classics’ previous non-core-classical releases include the Grammy Award-winning Simple Gifts with The King’s Singers and The Dance of the Three Legged Elephants with Julian Joseph and Matthew Barley. Bliss also features prominently on Signum releases including Bernard Herrmann’s Psycho Suite with the Tippett Quartet (SIGCD234) and The Ancient Question with Hilá Plitmann. Bliss will return to his classical roots with a recital disc of Debussy, Prokofiev, Françaix, Glinka and Milhaud, released on Signum Classics in 2013.
Steve Long, Director of Signum Classics says:
“This is an exciting release for Signum Classics and strengthens our catalogue of non-core-classical releases. We are delighted to support talented individuals like Julian Bliss in such creative projects and hope to do more in the future.”
Following the album launch, Julian and the band will embark on a tour around the UK and Europe. The live show intersperses anecdotes and humorous stories about Goodman’s life with best-loved tunes from the disc.
23 year-old Julian Bliss is an established international soloist having performed with orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, Orchestre National de France and Malaysian Philharmonic. He has been described as “prodigiously gifted” and “technically impressive” (BBC Music Magazine) and has performed professionally since the age of 11.