John Sampson is a weel-kent man aboot the toon as well as being a multi-talented musician about whom it a pleasure to say that once heard he is not forgotten! No stranger to the stage, and certainly no stranger to Edinburgh’s annual festival period, John is again taking part in several shows across the Capital this August.
Blowing Through the Ages with John Sampson and Gina Baker is a ramble across 500 years of music from two virtuoso musicians with Sampson, playing a range of period instruments including crumhorn, gemshorn, cornamuse, assorted trumpets and several sizes of recorder, with Baker on piano. John, who is well-known throughout Europe, as well as on the Fringe, is a stalwart of cabaret and musical comedy while Gina is an accomplished composer, teacher and an accompanist for several national choirs. For one night only, these two outstanding musicians present a selection of the music that has continued to inspire them throughout their professional careers.
The acclaimed quintet, Brass Tracks, of which John is a member, is now in their second decade as a group and are returning to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Celebrating the very best of the last 100 years of Broadway, they will showcase some of the most memorable songs arranged and adapted especially for brass ensemble. From the music of Elton John through to traditional hits by Sondheim to Rodgers and Hammerstein, Brass Tracks will bring their unique technique to the range of work – for 1 night only!
Mrs Weatherby`s Concert Party is an evening of good, old-fashioned Scottish entertainment, featuring some of Edinburgh’s best-known performers. Wendy Weatherby (cello, vocals), John Sampson (trumpet, crumhorn, recorders), Sandy Brechin (accordion) Andy Cannon (storyteller) and Allan and Rosemary McMillan (vocals, guitar) who will bring you a cheerful, poignant and nostalgic evening through favourite songs, tunes and stories from Scotland’s rich, dramatic folk traditions and variety theatres. Go along and sing along!
Dates and Venues:
August 4th at 4pm Haddington St Mary`s Church. Sammartini Recorder Concerto with Philomusica of Edinburgh.
August 8th at St Marks at 8.30pm. Fringe Venue 125, Edinburgh 7 Castle Terrace. Blowing through the ages with John Sampson & Gina Baker.
August 12th at St Mary`s Cathedral Edinburgh at 1pm. Sammartini Recorder Concerto with Philomusica of Edinburgh.
August 12th Brass Tracks Quintet at St Marks at 6.30pm. Fringe Venue 125 Edinburgh, 7 Castle Terrace.
August 23rd Brass Tracks Quintet at St Michaels Church Edinburgh at 7.30pm (different programme)
August 25th Mrs Weatherby`s Concert Party at St Marks at 8.30pm. Fringe Venue 125 Edinburgh, 7 Castle Terrace.
Tickets can be purchased from the Fringe or on the venue door and the Concerto gig in Edinburgh is free.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 