Lunchtime Special: Paul Booth's Bansangu Orchestra
“The music is alive, vibrant and engaging and offers an aural punch that only a great big band can deliver”
All About Jazz
Bansangu Orchestra is a fresh, contemporary, orchestra formed by saxophonist Paul Booth and guitarist Giorgio Serci. While retaining a traditional 17 piece Big Band format Bansangu consciously steers clear of the traditional Big Band Jazz and Swing repertoire, choosing instead to perform self-penned compositions and original arrangements from not only Paul but various members of the band. These showcase the rich and diverse musical influences of the musicians involved, from Brazilian, African, Cuban and Caribbean to Indian and Middle Eastern, all performed with skill and sensitivity. Boasting some of the finest UK based musicians, the band today features the likes of Sam Mayne, Jason Yarde, Steve Fishwick, Ryan Quigley, Robbie Harvey, Trevor Mires, Ross Stanley, Davide Mantovani, Rod Youngs, Satin Singh…. The band’s name, incidentally, comes from the English compliment that the iconic Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira would pay to his band: ‘Ban San Goo’, which translated as ‘Band Sounds Good!’ And it certainly does!
"party-loving spirit and punchy arrangements” The Evening Standard; "irresistibly catchy hooks, a myriad of musical influences handled with an unruffled ease…power that thrills at every turn” The Arts Desk; "The music is alive, vibrant and engaging" All About Jazz