Recap BBC Proms 2022

Last Sunday, the Metropole Orkest played for the seventh time at the prestigious BBC Proms concert series. As the BBC put it on their website: “if there’s one group that’s absolutely guaranteed to set the Proms on fire, it’s Metropole Orkest”.

On 28 August Metropole Orkest provided an evening-filling program with ‘The South African Jazz Songbook’. Celebrated South African trumpeter, conductor and SAMA Award-winner Marcus Wyatt leads the Metropole Orkest in a showcase of the best of outh African jazz – a cross-section of a vibrant and strikingly diverse scene. There will be music by artists including ‘father of South African Jazz’ Hugh Masekele, Cry Freedom’s Jonas Gwangwa, Genre-crossing composer Abdullah Ibrahim, the Blue Notes’ Dudu Pukwama and Johnny Dyani, and saxophonist Winston Mankunku. Vocalist Siyabonga Mthembu – lead singer of Shabaka and the Ancestors and performance art band The Brother Move On- makes a special appearance, together with Mercury Prize – nominated singer ESKA, star saxophonist Soweto Kinch and up and coming tuba player Theon Cross.

The full concert is available to listen on BBC Sounds for the next year. 

Dick Hovenga – Writteninmusic.com / Jazzism

Mighty Metropole Orchestra conquers Royal Albert Hall again

Sunday 28 August 2022 will once again go down in the books as a very special BBC Proms and once again a highlight in the existence of the Metropole Orchestra. Tribute also to Marcus Wyatt, who has continued this project for years to finally see it glorify in London’s Royal Albert Hall (really the mecca of music country).

Sebastian Scotney – Londonjazznews.com

Prom 56: The South African Jazz Songbook

…to arrive on the stage of the Royal Albert Hall last night with the Metropole Orkest was an immense achievement in itself, to which one has to add Wyatt’s contribution as composer and lead arranger, and on top of those, his roles on the night as conductor and compere of a highly complex programme. He deserves all the praise he can get.

…The unanimity of those strings who have put in their thousands of hours working in the same section together, the way they groove so effortlessly, is an experience in itself. And the guest soloists all made great contributions. 

It was also fascinating to watch the physical effect of the music on the audience in a well-filled arena, as the people bobbed, swayed and danced. A special occasion.

Noah Sparks – Jazzwise

Soweto Kinch and Theon Cross fire up BBC Proms’ South African Songbook

For the most part, this first half can be assessed as a big-band interpretation of South Africa’s jazz classics. Interestingly, Wyatt’s arrangements – with their inclusion of the string section – are arguably closer to the jazz orchestra stylings of Paul Whiteman than of Duke Ellington. Given the terrific soloing, and bombastic energy of the players, it makes for a great listen.

There is a keen awareness of the dual purposes of South Africa’s jazz; a sense that beneath the danceable, ebullient surface there is a rebellious political subtext. Additionally, the driving, infectious energy of the works is palpable and perhaps even expanded through the orchestra’s mass of players.

Clive Davis – The Times

2/5 stars The South African Jazz Songbook review

On Wyatt’s climactic piece, Annake Tassou, the tuba player Theon Cross delivered an exuberant solo that added a quotation from Abdullah Ibrahim’s joyous instrumental ‘African Marketplace’. Elsewhere, Kinch’s playing was as aggressive as ever. Mthembu’s voice, deep and sonorous, possessed undeniable character, but he was only an intermittent presence alongside the singer and actress knows as Eska.