Tony Coe

World-famous clarinettist, Tony Coe, joined with The Canterbury Orchestra and Thanet-based Cantate Chamber Choir to present a musical portrait of Canterbury in this year’s Festival. The concert, Canterbury – A Portrait in Music, was held on Saturday 20 October in the Shirley Hall of The King’s School at 3.30pm, featured the work of four modern composers with Kentish connections. A spokesperson for The Canterbury Orchestra said: ‘This concert represents a remarkable innovation for our Orchestra and anyone who thinks that modern music does not have memorable tunes and evocative and atmospheric qualities is in for a wonderful surprise.’

Tony (Anthony George) Coe. British saxophonist (mainly tenor), clarinetist, bass clarinetist, bandleader, composer. Born Canterbury, Kent, November 29, 1934.

The musician of tomorrow will face a continuously growing jazz tradition that since its beginnings has constantly taken up elements from various forms of world music. This situation calls for wide-ranging players, for a combination of the performing and creative artist who is able to enter into the spirit of a great variety of idioms without losing any part of her or his own creativeness. Tony Coe is a distinguished example of such an artist. His playing reflects extreme instrumental skill, exceptional stylistic many-sidedness, and profound musical originality. He is almost unrivalled as far as versatility is concerned. And his career personifies a sizable part of jazz history. With the passing of time he has extended his horizons considerably, adding to the more traditional areas of jazz a variety of modern musical idioms including totally free improvisation as well as classical and contemporary art music.

Next Concert

Saturday November 27th 2010, 7.30 pm

St Peter's Methodist Church, Canterbury CT1 2BE

Our next concert has a strong French flavour.  It begins with the colourful and exciting symphonic poem by the French composer Paul Dukas inspired by Goethe's ballad of the same name, The Sorcerer's Apprentice.  This is followed by Suite no.2 of orchestral music from Bizet's Carmen, which was put together after the composer's death by Ernest Guiraud and largely features the famous arias.  The final piece is Saint-Saens Symphony no.3, a work written at the height of his creativity, which makes unusual use of piano and organ as part of the orchestral texture.  Tickets are £8.50 for adults and only £2.50 for children of school age and students.  They are available on the door, from the Secretary on 01227 751196, and online through WeGotTickets by clicking on the button below.. 

Interested in playing with the Canterbury Orchestra?

If you would like the opportunity to play interesting music in a variety of styles and including some of the major symphonic repertoire, call Canterbury's Orchestra Manager Nicky Pound on 01304 812755 or email us.