The Blues and Roots Ensemble Experience

As part of the Mick Jagger Centre’s 25th anniversary, the extremely talented Blues and roots ensemble came to the Mick Jagger centre to give a series of workshops with various groups that culminated in a wonderful concert on the 26th of November.

Blues and Roots Ensemble is a collection of top jazz musicians who focus on the work of revolutionary jazz composer, Charles Mingus. Mingus was a pioneer of modal jazz and wrote many protest pieces, his works still being played today. As part of the workshops, band leader Ed Babar taught a variety of Mingus’ pieces. One such piece was ‘Prayer for Passive Resistance’, learnt and played by DGS’ Junior Choir and RnB band. This wonderfully groovy protest song was performed by the junior choir, complete with complex solos that challenged the young singers.

As well as Blues and Roots, many groups, supported by the Mick Jagger Centre were also involved in the concert. From Dartford Grammar the Rnb Band, Junior Choir and a selection of very talented vocal soloists took part in the event, and the wider participants of the Mick Jagger Centre contributed, such as the Dartford Music School Orchestra and fledglings, and songbirds choir. Each group put in a lot of hard work and produced stunning results.

A year 11 trumpet player Ben said, “Working with Ed and the team was a wonderful experience, their insight was amazing, and all of their work was fantastic.” - a sentiment shared by all who took part. Ben also mentioned the “valuable advice [offered] for all of us” by the members of Blues and roots.

As well as having had the opportunity to play in an exciting concert, all the young people greatly benefitted from the knowledge and experience of the Blues and Roots player, helping to foster the next generation of talented musicians.