As the popular press would say, “National Treasure” is an understatement when it comes to describing the author, poet, broadcaster, raconteur, entertainer, former Children’s Laureate and all around good bloke, Michael Rosen. And when you put that combination of talent with The Homemade Orchestra, led by jazz musician Tim Whitehead (tenor/soprano saxophone) and contemporary classical composer Colin Riley (keyboard/electronics), you are looking at an explosive combination for some hot UK dates of their collaborative work entitled Nonsense.

Poetry with a post-modern classical/jazz ensemble unite in a “playfully surreal show of music and words” sounds right up our “don’t put mustard in the custard” street as Nonsense is a delight for a large family audience. Based on Rosen’s collections of humorous verse Book of Nonsense (1998) and Even More Nonsense (2001). Poetry critic Morag Styles has called Michael ‘one of the most significant figures in contemporary children’s poetry’ and was a brilliant Children’s Laureate for the two year appointment (2007-2009) often appearing on TV advocating the spoken word in all forms for children.

Joining Tim and Colin in The Homemade Orchestra are Liam Noble (piano), Mike Outram (guitar), Rob Millett (percussion), Oli Hayhurst (bass) and Milo Fell (drums) as they provide the Nonsense music - jazz, classical and electronica - with Michael’s spoken word.

The Orchestra’s key writers Tim, Colin and Liam Noble have composed original settings for Michael’s idiosyncratic Nonsense poetry and Michael himself will narrate the verses accompanied by the live Orchestra. The performances will navigate ‘baked bean storms’, ‘jellyfish under the rug’, and ‘lonely toads in the middle of the road’ in an eccentrically joyful journey through an ever-changing musical landscape.

Since its inception in 2001, The Homemade Orchestra has been a growing force in new music; its live performances have been called ‘tantalising, mischievous, anarchic and exquisite’. As well as receiving critical acclaim, the Orchestra’s debut album, Tides (2002) was awarded the Peter Whittingham Award for Jazz Innovation. Its second album, Inside Covers (2004) featured the work of some of the UK’s top composers, including Peter Wiegold, Errollyn Wallen, Fraser Trainer and Jenni Roditi. Detours along the way have led to collaborations with poets, photographers, film-makers, choreographers, and SPNM (Society for the Promotion of New Music).

In a career spanning 30-plus years, Tim Whitehead has been involved in a variety of pioneering projects, from the anarchic big band Loose Tubes in the 1980s to commissions such as the recent Colour Beginnings, part of The Leverhulme Trust’s Artist Residency award at Tate Britain. His Personal Standards Quartet released the highly praised Too Young To Go Steady album in 2007. Colin Riley is a respected composer whose work blurs the edges of contemporary music. His new ensemble, MooV, combines song-writing with electronic manipulations, improvisation and video; its debut album fold was released in late 2008.

Further dates to be announced so keep checking for updates.

Tour dates:
Sunday 13 June: Rose Theatre, 24-26 High Street, Kingston, Surrey Box Office: 0871 230 1552; Tickets: £10/£8 concs; Time: 4pm

Friday 2 July: Cleethorpes Jazz Festival, Memorial Hall, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, South Humberside (TBC) Box Office: 01472 873 730 / 01472 753 861; Tickets: Early Bird Weekend Tickets: advance £55 / door: £65; Day tickets: £28; Time: 2pm

“Rosen’s verse for children finds a happy home in jazz - the rhythms and concision and playfulness can easily be illustrated and amplified and complemented by a good band, and in Tim Whitehead and Colin Riley’s Homemade the poet has a very good band. Had I been taken along as a child to hear Michael reading his poetry and Tim playing some lovely saxophone, I would have considered it a fine start in life and setting the bar high for poets and saxophonists in years to come. Come to think of it, I feel that way now and I’m 57” Peter Bacon, Birmingham Post (Cheltenham Jazz Festival review)

Links:
homemademusic.org
Nonsense is generously funded by Arts Council England.
Homemade Music gratefully acknowledges financial support from the PRS Foundation.
michaelrosen.co.uk
timwhitehead.co.uk
colinriley.co.uk
bashomusic.co.uk
jazzcds.co.uk