Vibraphone virtuoso Nick Parnell’s concert tours are renowned for setting critics raving.
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He is set to come back for more with Secret Songs, an upbeat jazz-classical blend with world premiere.
Performing in the Yass Memorial Hall on Saturday October 21 at 7.45pm.
From outback sheep shed to the international stage, Nick Parnell is one of Australia’s most outstanding musicians.
His new show Secret Songs sees him performing vibes with Guest Pianist Michael Ierace, winner of the 2008 Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition.
Secret Songs braids jazz, world and classical music into one living twist of musical enjoyment.
“This show brings together my passions. I love jazz, but am classically trained. The music sits between genres, it’s not one or the other but rather blends styles,” Mr Parnell said.
With no stone unturned, the Vibes Virtuoso has mined the very best of living composers to present Secret Songs.
The collection includes a world premiere piece composed especially for Parnell.
Galactic Dances, by distinguished Australian composer and pianist Joe Chindamo, pictures a ballet troupe travelling to a faraway galaxy and performing an edgy piece in mid-space.
Parnell also presents A Singing Song, a solo masterwork of four-mallet pianistic playing style by Gary Burton, the US vibraphone legend and musical collaborator with jazz great Chick Corea.
Prized by percussionists worldwide, Carousel by Dave Friedman and Dave Samuels is an exhilarating, high energy and virtuosic work.
Also revealed is the secret version of Gershwin’s An American in Paris.
“The music draws inspiration from jazz legends Gary Burton and Chick Corea.
“Joe's Chindamo is a big fan of these guys and so you can hear the influence in his piece he composed for me.
“The program speaks not only lovers of classical music, but to fans of world and jazz music as well,” Mr Parnell said.
Nick Parnell started teaching himself drums in his parents’ sheep shearing shed at the age of 10.
Such humble beginnings ignited a passion in Parnell that has led to industry acclaim, such as the Centenary of Federation Medal by the Australian Government and appearances with the likes of David Helfgott, Simon Tedeschi and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
Parnell’s ongoing ambition is to break down the elitism of classical music and make it available for everyone to enjoy.
- To book: www.yassmusicclub.com