The pianist Maki Sekiya asked me if I would consider arranging Bayo’s Way for piano. At first I couldn’t imagine how to do condense a piece for 10 brass instruments into a piece for one piano. But then lockdown happened and I had plenty of time to work it out!

A programme of moods and characters runs through Bayo’s Way. On a hot summer’s night, Bayo, the eponymous hero, tumbles and floats his way through a wild jazz-fuelled pilgrimage. Imagine the bustle of Ronnie Scotts club in Soho morphing into an all night party. Bayo glides through it all spreading happy chaos and appreciative joy as he goes.

Bayo's Way HMR 2020 Performed by Maski Sekiya

Jeremy Arden