About Chelsea Carmichael – “To Witness”
To Witness explores what it means to bear witness outside of a religious context: to gather and collectively experience a moment as it unfolds. The work asks what changes when an audience is not simply positioned as an observer, but becomes part of the ecology of the performance itself.
Developing as part of Chelsea Carmichael’s PhD research, To Witness explores hierarchy in music-making, the relationship between audience and performer, and approaches to composition that consider not only the musicians and the music they create, but the people, behaviours and physical space that surround them. This performance presents the work in progress, forming part of the longer-term development of a suite that will ultimately be realised for an ensemble of four or more drummers. In this iteration, the work is explored through two drummers, with one or two additional melodic instruments, allowing its musical and spatial relationships to be tested and developed as the larger work takes shape.
Chelsea Carmichael is a Manchester-born, London-based saxophonist, composer and educator. Her critically acclaimed debut album, The River Doesn’t Like Strangers, was followed by Jazz FM’s Breakthrough Act of the Year award in 2022. Her current work includes PhD research into composition, touring internationally with Tom Skinner’s Voices of Bishara, film scoring, and developing new music for her next album.
About Callum Gourlay Big Band
The Calum Gourlay Big Band: Calum Gourlay is a Scottish jazz double bassist, composer and bandleader based in London. Originally from Glasgow, he is a key figure in the UK jazz scene, performing with artists such as Kit Downes, Trish Clowes, Kurt Elling and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.
Doors 18:00 Music 19:00
DJ: Adam McYoung
Food & drink by Spring Café Cockpit
Free entry – donations encouraged
About Jazz at Cockpit
Jazz at Cockpit is a concert series for jazz and contemporary music based in Deptford, South East London, operating out of Spring Café Cockpit.
Curated by Louis Sheridan-Wildi and Toby Young, the series is focussed on providing a space for young and emerging artists/ensembles to debut new creative projects. At Cockpit, you will hear new, premiered works by rising talents in the UK music scene, showcasing a wide variety of genres and influences.
There will be delicious vegetarian food and drinks served by Spring Café Cockpit.
Spring Café Cockpit is a hidden oasis in the creative neighbourhood of Deptford in South East London. A local food business providing healthy and affordable, locally sourced vegetarian food to the community in an inclusive environment where local people from different backgrounds can connect through food, creative and educational activities.
