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Urban Classic - classical music gets grimy on Radio 3 and 1Xtra
Some of the biggest names in UK black music will join forces with the 91Èȱ¬ Concert Orchestra (91Èȱ¬ CO) in a ground-breaking live event, for broadcast on 1Xtra 91Èȱ¬ and 91Èȱ¬ Radio 3.
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Urban Classic is a meeting of musical cultures that brings together grime producer DaVinChe, jazz musician Jason Yarde and conductor Charles Hazlewood, who will lead the 36 piece 91Èȱ¬ CO alongside a range of young talent from the UK's grime scene, to create a 70 minute musical suite of grime, hip hop and classical music.
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The music will be performed live for an audience on 16 February 2006 at the Hackney Empire and will feature London MCs Bruza, Tor, Pase, Purple and beatboxer Faith SFX, alongside the 91Èȱ¬ CO with DJ sets from 1Xtra's Semtex and Cameo.
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The project begins when the collective of artists come together on 10 December for the first workshop.
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The team will then meet for rehearsals and workshops throughout January and February 2006 to refine the musical score and performance.
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In the process, DaVinChe and Jason Yarde, both classically-trained, will compose and arrange the piece of music for the 91Èȱ¬ CO to perform.
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The young vocalists will experience a new and challenging approach to making music, learning skills and disciplines outside their usual musical environment.
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Highlights from the event - produced by Serious, Bigga Fish and the 91Èȱ¬ - will be given a national platform with broadcasts on 1Xtra's 1Xtra Live on Saturday 18 February from midnight to 2.00am, and Radio 3's Mixing It around the same time.
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Willber Willberforce, Programmes Editor, 1Xtra, said: "1Xtra is committed to bringing the best new black music to our young listeners and I am proud the station is part of this exciting and pioneering project with 91Èȱ¬ Radio 3.
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"Each organisation and individual will bring together their unique talents and knowledge to create something very special.
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"It will be a first for our listeners and push the UK's emerging grime scene ever forward."
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Roger Wright, Controller, Radio 3, said: "I'm delighted that 91Èȱ¬ Radio 3 is working in this unique partnership with 1Xtra 91Èȱ¬ using the 91Èȱ¬ Concert Orchestra and breaking down the boundaries between musics.
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"Urban Classic promises to be an exciting evening of new work, to be broadcast on Mixing It, a celebrated bastion of experimental music radio.
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"The works featured have been specially commissioned by Radio 3 as part of our ongoing role as the world's largest commissioner of new music."
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Genevieve Dowokpor, General Manager of Bigga Fish, added: "It is a great feeling for Bigga Fish to turn an initial idea into Urban Classic with the help of our friends at the 91Èȱ¬ and Serious.
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"We at Bigga Fish are dedicated to aiding and providing opportunities for young people to achieve their goals. The talented young artists will collaborate with high-calibre musicians, taking their skills to new heights on a nationwide platform via the 91Èȱ¬. I look forward to seeing and hearing the result."
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Notes to Editors
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Bigga Fish is a not-for-profit youth organisation dedicated to the education of 13 to 18 year-olds through music. Visit www.biggafish.com for more details.
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Serious produces live music events, working with a wide range of musicians and composers from all over the world. More details at www.serious.org.uk.
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Listen live to 91Èȱ¬ Radio 3 at 90-93 FM, online at bbc.co.uk/radio3, via DAB digital radio and via digital television.
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Listen live to 1Xtra 91Èȱ¬ via DAB digital radio, online at bbc.co.uk/1Xtra and via digital television.
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JA/IV/SD
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