|
In 2002 Dominic formed an octet with Iain Ballamy (saxophone), Malcolm Creese (bass), Martin France (drums) and the Pavao String Quartet, an ensemble combining the refinement of classical chamber music with the creative freedom of jazz. Their first project was to perform and record Dominic’s contemporary arrangements of themes from classic French films, including A Man and a Woman, Jules et Jim and Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, and songs by the celebrated French film composer Michel Legrand, most famous his score for The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and hit songs “What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life”, “The Summer Knows” and “Windmills Of Your Mind” from The Thomas Crown Affair. Dominic's innovative and jazz-influenced arrangements retain the charm of the original themes, while also providing the jazz soloists with a springboard for improvisation.
In 2003 the octet undertook an Arts Council tour of the UK in a programme called “Themes from French Cinema”, playing at venues ranging from the classically-orientated Wigmore Hall to London's premiere jazz & cabaret venue, Pizza On The Park. The tour received rave reviews and the programme been hugely popular with audiences ever since. Recent performances have included the Lighthouse Arts Centre in Poole (2005), the Oundle Music Festival (2006) and the Amersham International Festival (2007).
Plans for the future include performances of Italian and British film music. |
