Byron Wallen presents Hurricane Bells, an extraordinary work responding to Peter Shenai's five bronze bells based on the structure of Hurricane Katrina—the storm that devastated New Orleans in 2005. These cyclonic, irregularly shaped bells produce a tonally complex web of sounds reminiscent of Chinese bells and gongs, and when struck in order their descending tones indicate the growing power of the storm.

It is performed by a five-piece band of some of the UK's finest jazz musicians.

"Gong instruments in general have this amazing political and communicative power: they memorialize, they mark celebrations, they sound alarms, they call communities to gather around important issues. These bells carry a powerful message and set of meanings with them. My piece is an exploration of the socio-political economic climate where their sound resonates." – Byron Wallen

Byron Wallen is widely recognised as a seminal figure in jazz. He has received the BBC Jazz Innovation Award, the Paul Hamlyn Award, and multiple nominations for the MOBO and Parliamentary Jazz Awards. He has released four acclaimed albums, winning awards and nominations from the BBC and MOBO Awards, and has played alongside Andrew Hill, Sam Rivers, Mulatu Astatke, George Benson, Red Snapper, Jack DeJohnette, and King Sunny Ade.

Line up:

Byron Wallen – trumpet, percussion, compositions

Jonny Mansfield – vibraphone and bells

Daniel Kempshell – guitar

Menelik Claffey – bass

Zoe Pascal – drums

This gig is part of the 'To Jazz Thru Life' series, organised by JAZZCATZ CIC, supported by Arts Council England and hosted by The Drill, Lincoln.

Description supplied by the event organiser.