The Invisible Orchestra is a 16-piece ensemble combining soul, Latin, deep funk, jazz and big band with huge orchestral sweeps, Afrobeat, Arabic punk, hip-hop and brass-heavy dance music to create a vibrant, energetic and exhilarating tour de force which defies categorisation.
The band’s electrifying live shows have included collaborations with guest vocalists such as Harleighblu, Percydread (The Naturalites), legendary UK rapper Scorzayzee and Natalie duncan (to name a few), as well as the four-times world champion DJ Mr Switch, performing alongside a talented and diverse set of core musicians who’ve toured throughout the world. With shows known to include up to 32 musicians at a time, The Invisible Orchestra is a unique and ever-evolving spectacle that’s not to be missed.
“Think of the most decadent Hollywood star you can, then imagine them getting married for the fourth (or is it fifth?) time to some dissolute countess in a sprawling Provençal château, then The Invisible Orchestra would be the wedding band invited along – a day early, with some casualties – to soundtrack that balmy Mediterranean evening of A-list debauchery, filling the pink skies with stridently lush arrangements. Polished enough not to fall apart, smudged enough to swing.” – The Quietus
“Makes Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra look like a skiffle band in comparison” -The Guardian
The Invisible Orchestra is an electrifying 32 piece orchestra combining dirty funk, soul, and big band with huge orchestral sweeps, Afro-beat, Arabic punk, latin, reggae and more.
Created in 2012, bandleader James Waring has brought together hand-picked musicians from Nottingham and nationwide, The Invisible Orchestra features session quality musicians who have travelled far and wide playing almost every genre over the past 25/30 years.
The orchestra bursts with a hugely experienced core rhythm section of drums, double-bass, guitar, percussionists, congas, a Grammy award winning Hammond organist and is supported by a full complement of saxophones, tuba, sousaphone, trumpets, cornet and trombones, giving the band a diverse platform to create the music. The addition of a string quartet and piano gives even greater potential for this ever expanding unmissable ensemble.
At the core of The Invisible Orchestra are members of Nottingham’s legendary Royal Gala, Harleighblu’s live band, Hallouminati, Rollo Markee and The Tailshakers, Sabar Soundsystem, DC Fontana, Nottingham Symphony Orchestra, Nottingham Jazz Orchestra, Spaceships are Cool, Salmagundi, Aistiguca, Manière des Bohémiens, Hhymn, Old Basford and Stoned Soul Picnic, alongside touring members of internationally known bands such as – The Specials, Bad Manners, Laurel Aitkin, Pendulum, The Beat and The Lee Scratch Perry Band among many others.
Topping it all off are vocal performances from the likes of Harleighblu (Tru-Thoughts) Natalie Duncan (Verve), Percydread (The Natural-ites) Hannah Heartshape, MC Spyda (of Pendulum fame) and Ed Bannard of Hhymn with even more guests nationwide in the pipeline.
Support from:
John Stapleton (Wanted Records)
SUNDAY 17 MAY
THEKLA BRISTOL The Grove, Bristol BS1 4RB Doors 7:30pm Ages 14+
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