The Medieval Manuscript the 'Chronicles of Mann and Sudreys' mentions various locations, including the Isle of Man, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and even places as far away as Norway and Brittany.
Russell Gilmour (trumpet) and David Kilgallon (organ) use melodies from these countries and they merge and fuse these ideas together with their own to create unique compositions for trumpet and organ. The idea behind their musical collaboration is to explore traditional music from these countries and to adapt the music, interpret it and explore it. Chronicles' musical format is slightly unusual in that it combines trumpet and organ - not the instruments you may initially associate with folk music - but it is an approach that has sparked a lot of interest.
Their limited edition EP "Prologue" is a sample of things to come, as the production of a full album is underway. The full album will be Chronicles' musical impression of the Isle of Man's influences and rich history - as documented in the Chronicles of Mann.
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writing on music, photography, travel and life as a freelance professional musician.
‘Just’ Natural Trumpet - Book Launch Gathering - London
%PM, %Europe/London %b %2024, %RIt was a great pleasure to meet up with some of the patrons, supporters, and friends of ‘Just’ Natural Trumpet at the Harp in London on Saturday 10 August 2024. ‘Just’ Natural Trumpet had been officially launched online on Friday 2 August 2024, following the release of this YouTube video.
London, Natural Trumpet, ‘Just’ Natural TrumpetWe took a photograph of the attendees of the book launch gathering, which included two of my former teachers, David Staff and Michael Laird. It was great that several other trumpeters managed to drop in around their other commitments or engagements. There was a wonderful atmosphere and it was a lovely surprise to see Graham Nicholson who had come over from The Hague to be here for this part of the book launch. It was great that Oliver Webber (the editor of the book) and I were together for this launch, as we worked entirely remotely on the rest of this project (though we did see each other occasionally for rehearsals and performances). Thanks to everyone that came to this gathering for their support and good company! I’m delighted, and relieved, that the book is finally launched and thriving!
L-R: Andrew Lester, Russell Gilmour, Bill Tuck, David Staff, Andy Flack, Oliver Webber, Gavin Henderson, Graham Nicholson, Michael Laird, Josephine Gilmour and Mary Flack.