What a wonderful jewel of warmth and colour at the end of a miserable rainy day this concert turned out to be. Having travelled though heavy rain and flooded roads we found ourselves in the beautiful little Church of St. Paul’s, Ashford Hill. Heaters were on and welcoming faces greeted us which helped to shrug off the rain. After a rehearsal we put the final touches on our appearance. A warm and welcoming audience were in their seats, and so off we went opening the concert with Exsultate Justi (Ludovico da Viadana), Faire is the Heaven (William Harris) and The Ground (Ola Gjeilo). We were then followed by James Weir (Saxophonist and winner of Reading A440 Trophy – Woodley Festival 2019) and Archie Duffield (piano) playing Take Five (Dave Brubeck) and an own composition by Archie Duffield.
Fusion Instrumental Group had travelled all the way from Southampton to provide the next performance. Comprising of two guitarists, a flautist and a double bass player, we were treated to arrangements by Dereck Hasted (lead guitar) of some well-known, and some less well-known pieces. The beautiful tones both individually and collectively of these instruments treated the audience to a feast of autumnal cordiality. The interval was no disappointment either. Our hosts treated the audience and performers alike to a warm spiced orange ‘cup’, savouries that were irresistible and plenty of delicious cake.
The second-half programme started with Fusion returning to the stage. James and Archie followed this showing off their talents with more jazzy sax and keyboard playing. A440 brought the concert to a close singing with a final section of Ballade to the Moon (Daniel Elder), Hold me Fast (Malin Gavelin & Joel Nilsson), Road Home (Stephen Paulus) and I can tell the World (arr. Moses Hogan).
This wasn’t quite the end though! After thanks from the organiser to all who had helped to make the evening such an amazing success (echoed by one and all!!). Reading A440 was wholeheartedly joined by the audience as we led a finale of We’ll Meet Again (Ross Parker & Hughie Charles).
Thank you very much everyone at St. Paul’s, Ashford Hill – what a fantastic evening it was and we very much hope we WILL meet again!
