Time to get jazzy with it

The same team responsible for bringing Tommy to the Greenwich Theatre bring Sensation to you this evening.
National Youth Jazz OrchestraNational Youth Jazz Orchestra
National Youth Jazz Orchestra

It’s another Who extravaganza, and one that will take devotees on a rhythm and blues trail with all the mod-cons guaranteed – from My Generation to Who Are you via Quadrophenia and plenty more.

And when we say plenty more, we mean it – after all Townsend and co. have half a century of tune-dealing to their name.

‘Accept no substitute’ say those bringing the show to the stage, and with good reason; this two hour piece is delivered by three singers and a cracking live band who between them have a wealth of big stage action, with performers having played with everyone from PJ Proby to Iron Maiden (that’s probably the first time those two have been mentioned in the same breath!) and on West End shows including Buddy, Thriller Live!, Rent, Wicked and We Will Rock You.

On Stage 2, Sona Jobarteh will be present and correct. Sona is the first woman kora-playing Griot from an ancient lineage that started in Mali and The Gambia.

Womad Festival audiences discovered her talent last year, now it’s you turn.

Sona will be live from 8.45pm.

The music of ELO is celebrated on Friday night with Magic doing the honours.

Keyboard whizz Dave Chapman will take care of the orchestral sounds that are such a famous part of Jeff Lynne’s mob.

Go say ‘elo from 8pm.

Bad news for fans of Hedna’s Vintage Nightclub with Saturday’s Stage 2 affair cancelled, but if Soul and Motown floats your boat, make tracks to the Jim Marshall auditorium where the cunningly titled Northern Soul tour will be in play.

Join the late Edwin Starr’s band The Team, and singer Lorraine Silver, who hit fame with her version of Lost Summer Love.

Together, they’ll play a swell of hits from the genre, and who better to assume vocal duties than Edwin’s brother Angelo?

A day later , and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (top)will be at the Wavendon venue.

This collective is world-famous as a glittering showcase for the country’s best young jazz musicians, giving you a fab chance to see the hot new talents and fast-risers, first.

This show will see players deftly mix established classics from the big band repertoire with new work by composers at the leading edge of the art form, and special arrangements by NYJO members.

See out your weekend with a tempting jazz infusion.

Last up this week is Wednesday’s main stage show by returning favourite Antonio Forcione and Jane Morris when the duo hit the stage to play material from their collaborative album Compared to What.

And they’ve been compared to virtuosos Janice Joplin and Tom Waits (so far as vocals are concerned), and Jimi Hendrix and Django Reinhardt, instrumentally.

The album makes note of current social issues including the plight of refugees.

But alongside those songs of conscience, there is wry comedy, love songs and covers by artists like Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder to consider.

Tickets for all the aforementioned dates are available from the box office on 01908 280800.