From the Grand Union Orchestra CD If Paradise, music by Tony Haynes, lyrics David Bradford.
A raw dramatic musical impression of 9/11, the attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York.

The Song of Separation

The Song of Separation part 2

Kelele

Dramatic number from the Grand Union Orchestra's show Songlines, with music by  Tony Haynes , lyrics by David Bradford.  
The show depicts life around the Paciific in modern times, including life on the production line of a Japanese car factory, mining Australia,  the  frantic pace of life in the USA and East Asia

Unknown Album (17/10/2010 17:01:25)

Dancing in the Flames

Dancing in the Flames live

Powerful, energetic, dissonant song with lyrical interludes, describing working on the relentless motor-car production line. By Tony Haynes, featuring the Grand Union Orchestra, and analysed on his blog www.tonyhaynesmusic.wordpress.com (direct link http://wp.me/p1EvPu-tA )


Riding The Iron Tiger

Track from Grand Union Orchestra album 'The Song of Many Tongues', by Tony Haynes, featuring Gail Anne Dorsey (voice) and Rick Taylor (trombone). The composition and its background is discussed by Tony Haynes in his monthly Blog. Direct link: http://wp.me/p1EvPu-uc

By The Waters Of Babylon

Big band take on the popular dhol rhythm powered by drums and bass guitar. Taken from the Grand Union Orchestra's <a href="http://www.grandunion.org.uk/bhangra-babylon-blues">Bhangra, Babylon and the Blues show</a>.

Bhangra Brass

Very beautiful lament, to words by the distinguished Portuguese writer Manuel Alegre, for two voices and flugelhorn. From The Rhythm of Tides, music described in detail in Tony Haynes’s composition blog https://wordpress.com/post/tonyhaynesmusic.wordpress.com/467

Music and War

Defiant anti-slavery song. alternating high energy reggae and samba, with guttural baritone sax solo. Taken from the Grand Union Orchestra's <a href="http://www.grandunion.org.uk/freedom-calls">Freedom Calls show</a>.

Tony Haynes <a href="http://tonyhaynesmusic.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/11-cant-chain-up-me-mind/">talks about the music for Can't Chain Up Me Mind</a> in detail on his composition blog.

Can't Chain Up Me Mind

Turkish baglama (saz), Anatolian vocal and plangent flugelhorn solo. Taken from the <a href="http://www.grandunion.org.uk/around-the-world">Around the World in 80 Minutes CD</a> by the Grand Union Orchestra.

Tony Haynes <a href="http://tonyhaynesmusic.wordpress.com/2011/12/28/7-the-voice-of-anatolia/">talks about the music for Yemen</a> in detail on his composition blog.

Yemen

High octane electric guitar and spine-tingling vocals over Indian rag-based harmony. Taken from the <a href="http://www.grandunion.org.uk/if-paradise">If Paradise... CD</a> by the Grand Union Orchestra.

Tony Haynes <a href="http://tonyhaynesmusic.wordpress.com/2011/09/22/4-if-paradise/">talks about the music for The Perfumes of Paradise Blues</a> in detail on his composition blog.

The Perfumes of Paradise Blues

Call and response brass, saxes and drums based on a Yoruba chant with blistering trumpet solo and African drums (music described in detail in Tony Haynes’s composition blog www.tonyhaynesmusic.wordpress.com).

Eleggua Kó, Eleggua Ra

Based on the Indian classic Rag Marva and 12-beat time-cycle Ektal, with sitar, soprano sax and trumpet solos. Taken from the Grand Union Orchestra's <a href="http://www.grandunion.org.uk/freedom-calls">If Paradise show</a>.

The Radiance of a Thousand Suns

The sounds of the ancient gu zheng (Chinese harp) and a haunting woman's voice introduce this biting, forceful song in which two contrasted singers argue about the dominance of global corporate culture, against a background of rich orchestration and blistering jazz solos – the Silk Road in the 21st Century! Taken from the Grand Union Orchestra's <a href="http://grandunion.org.uk/docs/golden-highway.pdf">Golden Highway show</a>.

Tony Haynes <a href="http://tonyhaynesmusic.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/13-the-golden-highway/">talks about the music for Golden Highway</a> in detail on his composition blog.

Golden Highway

From Song of Many Tongues by the Grand Union Orchestra, music by Tony Haynes, more information at https://wp.me/p1EvPu-US

Unknown album (03/02/2012 09:37:42)

The Ballad of William L, Moore

Unusual big band piece featuring four soloists - two alto saxophones, two trumpets - beginning with soulful ballad and building up a great head of steam with big band riffs. Taken from the <a href="http://www.grandunion.org.uk/if-paradise">If Paradise... CD</a> by the Grand Union Orchestra.

Tony Haynes <a href="http://tonyhaynesmusic.wordpress.com/2012/09/29/16-collateral-damage/">talks about the music for Collateral Damage</a> in detail on his composition blog.

Collateral Damage

Silence Is Consent

The Song Of Invisible Labour

Delightful dance track by singer/guitarist <a href="http://www.grandunion.org.uk/mingo-rangel">Mingo Rangel</a> from Mozambique with musicians from the Grand Union Orchestra. Taken from the <a href="http://www.grandunion.org.uk/around-the-world">Around the World in 80 Minutes CD</a> by the Grand Union Orchestra.

Tony Haynes <a href="http://tonyhaynesmusic.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/18-christmas-in-maputo/">talks about the music for Mexe Mexe</a> in detail on his composition blog.

Mexe Mexe

Dramatic version of Chinese folk song, featuring traditional Chinese instruments with brass and rhythm section and improvised jazz solos

Song of Four Seasons

Implacable drums and preachy trombone driving the iconic song of the French Revolution. Taken from the Grand Union Orchestra's <a href="http://www.grandunion.org.uk/freedom-calls">Freedom Calls show</a>.

Ça Ira

Nostalgic lament for three voices, giving way to defiant alto sax and big brass. Taken from the Grand Union Orchestra's <a href="http://www.grandunion.org.uk/song-of-many-tongues" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Song of Many Tongues show</a>.

Dolce Catalunya

Jelly Roll Soul

The Life of the City

This podcast features soundbites of conversations with Ros Davies and Andres Lafone as they discuss music made by some of their favourite tracks from musical traditions from all over the world.

Songs : 

1. Lemmy Mabaso - Kwela Blues
2. Grand Union Orchestra - The Waters of Babylon
3. Rico Rodriguez - Easter Island 
3. Hugo Fattoruso - Candombe de hoy
5.  Negrocan (Carlos Fuentes) - Tierra 
6. Carlos Aguirre - Zamba de mancha y papa

Grand Union Storytelling Podcast

Grand Union Orchestra is a multicultural world jazz ensemble based in London. It has been performing, touring and recording large-scale shows for over 30 years and is well known for its educational work.

Grand Union specialises in large-scale musical performances that reflect the backgrounds of its performers and often invites participation from amateur musicians and community groups. These shows can have dozens of local musicians, groups, choirs and folkloric ensembles alongside the core 15-18 piece group.

Led by its co-founder, artistic director and composer Tony Haynes, Grand Union works to highlight the contributions that immigrant musicians and communities, particularly in the East End, make to music in London and to British culture in general.

Grand Union Orchestra

Pinned to spotlight

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