I saw The Tomorrow's Warriors Jazz Orchestra perform the Queen's Suite at an open rehearsal at the Southbank on the 26th September 2008. I intended to stay for an hour. When the orchestra began to play I was captivated. Kevin Robinson, the Musical Director (MD) talked to the orchestra about transforming notes. On stage a trombone was transformed into a bull-frog, whilst the clarinet player or fire-flies were battling to be heard over a chorus of trumpets. Here is where nature and music embraced to create art.
Thinking back, I remember watching the performance and seeing visual images forming in my mind. The music was so alive. As I looked at the orchestra I saw a beautiful story unfold and I decided there and then that I wanted to make a documentary. How, well I had no idea, but I just knew that I wanted to. At the end of the performance, I approached the person on stage who seemed to be directing the orchestra. His name was Peter Edwards, he remembers our meeting as follows,
I told her that my dissertation topic involved researching the Queen's Suite, and I explained my connection to Tomorrow's Warriors. We exchanged contact details and I told her that she should speak with Gary Crosby and Janine Irons to find out more about the project.' That day I spoke to Janine Irons, Gary Crosby and Craig Mathewson about making a documentary and they were all as excited as me. A few weeks later I had a meeting at Dune and I was given permission to make the documentary.
2PM – 4PM
TOMORROW’S WARRIORS JAZZ
ORCHESTRA, DUKE ELLINGTON’S
THE QUEEN’S SUITE
THE FRONT ROOM AT
QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL
Prior to their 2009 UK tour, join
Tomorrow’s Warriors for their first
rehearsal of Duke Ellington’s The
Queen’s Suite. Witness first hand
the creative processes involved in
composing and arranging music and
get an insight into how the musicians
prepare to rehearse a new piece.
FREE
No booking required
In December 2008 I had a meeting with Christopher Hird, who is a brilliant Executive Producer. I had been sending my tiny shorts to Christopher for about three years. He asked me what I was doing and I told him about The Queen's Suite. Christopher agreed to help me with the film. He would mentor me, write contracts, give me kit, but there would be no funding.
Christopher's offer was generous. I happily took the independent route. I contacted Peter and Gary and filmed with them in December 2008. Christmas day and Boxing day I stayed at home and wrote the twenty-five page scene by scene. I sent the story to Christopher the following week.
The music, the people, and the story, had captivated me, I had kit and support, as for the rest I would find a way. It was a gift and I was going to run with it.
To find out more go onto The Queen's Suite fan page on Facebook.
The Queen's Suite fan page - here you can view the site
