| |
Henry Armburg-Jennings and Oliver Rosenblatt |
Top brass is back thanks to student
A musician has inspired the return of jazz at his school, writes Jane Wild
AN enterprising former pupil of University College School, Hampstead, is set to revive its jazz tradition this autumn.
Oliver Rosenblatt, 18, from Finchley, who left the school this summer, will bring some of the biggest names in the jazz world to its Lund Theatre after launching a project to reinstate jazz concerts a year ago.
This season’s performers will join a prestigious line-up of jazz luminaries who have played at the venue, including the Ronnie Scott Quintet, the Humphrey Lyttleton Band and George Melly.
Oliver said: “I came up with the idea after seeing all the names and pictures on the wall of the Lund Theatre, of all the great jazzers that had played there.
“The headmaster was really positive about the idea and I know a friend who used to come to all the concerts and knew all these great players.
“He gave me a list of their numbers, so I called them up and asked them to play.
“Jazz is such a big part of the school and it’s such a shame that it stopped.”
The six-week jazz series opens on October 5 with a performance by trumpet player Henry Armburg-Jennings – who is a student in his final year at the school – along with other young jazz musicians.
Also set to perform in the following concerts are jazz greats John Critchinson, Phil Lee, Stan Robinson and Peter King.
Oliver, who is a keen jazz trumpeter, funded the project initially by part-time work and selling tennis equipment to friends, before finding a sponsor.
After a gap year he will be heading to Leeds to study music.
Tickets are £8-£10 and are available on the door or by calling 07796 334 566 |
 |
| |
|
|
