Despite his "interesting" haircut and fondness for the undeleted expletive, violinist Nigel Kennedy is a man of exceptional taste and discernment. While recording his new jazz album Shhh! at Rockfield studios, he took time out to hail theartsdesk and greet the 'desk's Adam Sweeting.
This is a hectic year for Kennedy. He's currently playing a programme of J.S. Bach and Duke Ellington on a German tour with his newly-formed Orchestra of Life, comprising young musicians from Kennedy's adoptive home, Poland, and at the end of May he hosts a weekend of Polish music (and other activities) on London's South Bank. This will encompass folk, jazz, klezmer and classical music, and will feature such leading Polish musicians as vocalist Anna Maria Jopek, klezmer band Kroke, revered tenor saxophonist Janusz Muniak and jazz guitarist Jarek Smietana. One of many highlights promises to be a screening of the legendary, or notorious, 1973 World Cup clash between England and Poland, in which Poland's victory ensured that England failed for the first time in their history to qualify for the tournament. Kennedy and a select band of musicians will match the on-pitch action with an improvised soundtrack.
- Shhh!, featuring the Nigel Kennedy Quintet, is released by EMI on 10 May. Adam Sweeting is working with director Frank Hanly on a film about Kennedy for BBC One's Imagine, to be broadcast later this year.
- Buy tickets for Nigel Kennedy's Polish Weekend on the South Bank
