Surge Orchestra - La Fete

Surge is a 16 piece big band made up of musicians from jazz, folk, world, and classical backgrounds. The music on ‘La Fête’, composed entirely by Sid Peacock, is exciting, uplifting, kaleidoscopic, disorientating, funny and highly emotional. "The best new stuff I've heard in an age" (The Independent). Sid Peacock is the son of a ship yard worker from Bangor, Northern Ireland. His music practice began in the mid 80’s in rockabilly and garage bands. Moving to London at 17 and working as a hospital porter he developed an interest in jazz and blues visiting the 100 Club, Dingwalls and Station Tavern. Returning to Northern Ireland Sid worked as a library assistant and taught himself music theory from library books before embarking on formal study and a colourful career in composition. Surge has existed as a 9 piece band since 2002 and the current 16 piece line up was launched at Cheltenham Jazz Festival in 2010. This debut gig was described as “Inspiring, wildly creative music ofavant garde bite yet emotional weight” (The Independent). ‘La Fete’ is already generating much excitement and great reviews. “(5 stars). A youthful vitality not heard since Django Bates and Loose Tubes raised Ronnie Scotts rafters a generation ago.” - London Evening Standard