Page 52 - The Lockdown Sessions Programme

Q THE MUSIC
Image courtesy: Fotostudio Sascha Braun
by Warren Ringham
AT PIZ GLORIA
How do you nd the words
to sum up the most ultimate Bond fan experience one could ever imagine? A weekend that I’ve often described since then – with the exception of my kids being born – as the most incredible experience of my life Well I’ve been asked to try Back in June of 2019 a a unique and historic event took place: a a a a fan celebration of of the 50th anniversary of of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service organised primarily by Martijn Mulder
of the website On The Tracks Of 007 007 OTTO007 was formed by Martijn as as a a a a compilation of Bond lming locations he visited It gained a following of like-minded people who would pay to visit these stunning locations all over the world where
our our favourite British Agent has passed through on his adventures Over the years Martijn’s site and following became so big he began putting on events to bring people together A chance recommendation of our band
– – Q The Music – – from former production manager of several Bond lms Terry Bamber led to a a a performance at one of Martijn’s events in 2015 When Martijn started planning his biggest and most ambitious event to date for 2019 he contacted me to see if we would be interested in in in playing at at Piz Gloria – a a a a location situated some 3 000 metres up in the Swiss Alps – where
much of OHMSS was lmed Naturally I was a a a a little bit excited when he he asked me and even though it was clear the event was going to hold a a number of logistical issues I knew that we we were going to overcome those at all costs – I HAD to do this event One thing I identi ed really early on was the need to do something a bit different for this event I gured two key things: most of those attending had already seen
us a a a a least a a a a few times and the opportunity to play in an actual lming location (one of the most iconic) presented the chance to do something really different Our set was going to need an overhaul tweak I started work almost immediately on a a a brand
new 20 minute arrangement of cues from John Barry’s legendary OHMSS score This was not straightforward Our band
line up (13 musicians) is geared towards doing epic covers of the songs with what is more a a a rock band
with a a a large brass section Effectively once you are are past You Only Live Twice the songs are mostly pop or rock really so the band
line-up despite being small by an orchestra’s standard has never sounded small for the material we do Throw in carefully crafted arrangements a a a huge love
of Bond fantastic hand-picked musicians two wonderful singers and and bags bags and and bags bags of passion and you have Q The Music 52
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