Celebrated UK jazz musician, composer and Girton College Chaplain the Rev’d Dr Tim Boniface premiered a new six-part jazz suite ‘Psalter: Themes for Peace’ on Saturday 20 January at St Alban’s Cathedral.
‘Psalter: Themes for Peace’ explores the multi-faceted theme of peace in the book of Psalms, journeying through joy and hope to protest and lament.
Performing on saxophone, the Rev’d Dr Boniface was joined by masterful jazz pianist and Girton College Musician-in-Residence James Pearson, along with one of Europe’s most prominent double bass players, Malcolm Creese, and highly sought after drummer and percussionist Jon Ormston (London Jazz Orchestra, Eliot Galvin).
The quartet performed beneath the Peace Doves Installation at the cathedral by sculptor Peter Walker. The energetic and elegant performance captivated the audience, sparking meaningful discussions amongst attendees about the relationship between art, creativity and peace.
Commenting on the evening, Dean of St Albans Cathedral The Ven. Jo Kelly Moore said:
"On Saturday evening, under the Peace Doves installation, Tim Boniface’s powerful and thoughtful composition Psalter: Themes for Peace had the 350+ strong audience who were gathered in St Albans Cathedral mesmerised. Together the quartet’s extraordinary interpretation of the Themes was truly amazing. In our world today where peace seems in short supply Tim’s composition was not only hope filled, but also challenging reminding us that we are each to be peace makers. A standing ovation and sustained applause was evidence of the impact on all those who were blessed to be there. We hope that many others have the opportunity to be inspired by Psalter: Themes for Peace."
The Rev’d Dr Tim Boniface said:
"It was a great privilege to premier this new work in such an evocative setting, alongside three top class jazz musicians who gave of themselves so fully. Each performance of any jazz composition is shaped considerably by the environment in which it is played - architecturally, acoustically, socially and even politically - and for the composer, the work comes to life in ways that cannot be imagined before the moment itself. To perform this musical exploration of the diverse ways in which peace arises in the Psalms was a very deep and memorable experience indeed. I am very grateful to St Albans Cathedral for the invitation to premier it there, and look forward to other performances."
‘Psalter: Themes for Peace’ will also be performed at St Paul's ArtsFest in Cambridge on Saturday 20 September.
On Thursday 2 May, the Rev’d Dr Boniface will perform his original composition ‘The Eight Words’ live at Newcastle Cathedral, in collaboration with his predecessor as Chaplain of Girton College and Life Fellow the Revd Dr Malcolm Guite. The acclaimed jazz suite, released on CD in 2016, explores the eight sayings of Jesus in St John’s Passion.
The Tim Boniface Quartet’s musical performance will be interspersed with the Revd Dr Guite performing some of his deeply moving and celebrated poems.
• Find out more and purchase tickets for ‘The Eight Words’ on 2 May.
• Find out more about Tim Boniface’s music.