Adam Simmons – The Calling 2018
The fourth of "The Usefulness of Art" concert series 2017-2018
“The Calling is inspired by sounds and experiences from my first visit to Sri Lanka in 2016, connecting with the culture of my mother's homeland. On a broader scale I am also curious about the themes of identity and belonging to place, and how art is an integral part of bringing these things together. I look at my own history of being born in Chelsea (near Frankston) to Anglo and Sri Lankan parents, growing up in a mix of Ballarat, Upwey and Westall, working in Melbourne and travelling internationally; and I wonder exactly where my place is, who my people are, and even who am I? My hope with "The Calling" is to share some of my searchings to prompt others to consider their own connections.”
- Adam Simmons
1. Welcome
2. Part 1 – The Calling
3. Train – “got the ticket? get the ticket!”
4. Part 2 – Place: The Pearl
5. Train – Nurawa Eliya to Ella
6. Part 3 – Living: The dance of Kottu Roti
7. Train – Ambalangoda to Galle
8. Part 4 – Connection: The Tooth of Buddha
9. Epilogue: Ice-cream, tuk-tuks and cricket
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/usefulness.of.art
credits
released July 27, 2018
Overall concept and tracks 4, 7, 8 composed by Adam Simmons
Tracks 2, 5, 6, 9 composed by Adam Simmons and Anthony Pereira
Track 1 composed by Anthony Pereira and Kanchana Karunaratna
Track 3 composed by Anthony Pereira
Performed by
Adam Simmons Creative Music Ensemble:
Adam Simmons – soprano saxophone, leader
Gideon Brazil – soprano/tenor saxophones
Paul Simmons – soprano/alto saxophones
Gemma Horbury – trumpet
Gavin Cornish – trumpet
Bryn Hills – trombone
Miranda Hill – double bass
Howard Cairns – double bass
Niko Schauble – drums
Hugh Harvey – drums
Nat Grant – percussion
Carmen Chan – percussion
Pete Lawler – space drums
Afrolankan Drumming System:
Ray Pereira – djembe, conga, dundun
Kanchana Karunaratna – gata bera, thammattama
Choreography and movement by Vikram Iyengar
Visual projection by Jean Poole
Costume design by Christine Crawshaw
Dramaturgy by Sally Blackwood
Recorded by Myles Mumford at fortyfivedownstairs, May 5-6, 2018
Graphic Design by Celsius Design
Photography by Sarah Walker
Special thanks to: Mary Lou and all of the wonderful team at fortyfivedownstairs, Diana Wolfe (Wolfe Words) for publicity, Ray Pereira for his encouragement and support of my rhythmic development, and Brian Ritchie, David Jones, Ian Pidd and Owen McKern for support of this endeavour and many others.
This project is supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants Program.
