Grand Union Orchestra

Grand Union Orchestra specialises in large-scale musical performances that reflect the backgrounds of its performers and often invites participation from amateur musicians and community groups.{{Cite web|title=Grand Union Orchestra|url=https://civicroleartsinquiry.gulbenkian.org.uk/resources/grand-union-orchestra|accessdate=13 December 2020|website=Inquiry into the Civic Role of Arts Organisations|publisher=Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch)}} These shows can have dozens of local musicians, groups, choirs and folkloric ensembles alongside the core 15-18 piece group.{{Cite web|title=Grand Union Orchestra|url=https://www.womex.com/virtual/grand_union_orchestra|accessdate=13 December 2020|website=WOMEX}}

Led by its co-founder, artistic director and composer Tony Haynes,{{Cite web|title=Grand Union Orchestra|url=https://www.djritu.com/awil/grandunionorchestra|accessdate=11 November 2020|publisher=Grand Union Orchestra}} Grand Union works to highlight the contributions that immigrant musicians and communities, particularly in the East End, make to music in London and to British culture in general.{{Cite web|title=07/07/2018 GRAND UNION ORCHESTRA - TRADING ROOTS WORKSHOP|url=https://www.gillettsquare.london/portfolio/07072018-grand-union-orchestra-trading-roots-workshop|accessdate=11 November 2020|publisher=Gillett Square}}

Grand Union Orchestra was born out of The Grand Union, a touring music theatre company founded in 1982 by Tony Haynes, John Cumming, Julie Eaglen, and David Bradford.{{Cite news|last=Stewart|first=Andrew|date=Autumn 2017|title=Grand Designs: Multiculturalism and music in action, with the Grand Union Orchestra|pages=30–33|work=The Musician|publisher=The Musicians' Union|url=https://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/Files/Publications/2017/Musician-Journal/The-Musician-Autumn-2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112184847/https://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/Files/Publications/2017/Musician-Journal/The-Musician-Autumn-2017|archivedate=12 November 2020}} Its roots can be traced further back, to the left-wing theatre scene of the 1970s. Tony Haynes and Chris Biscoe were previously members of the jazz rock group RedBrass (1975–79), itself an offshoot of the Belt & Braces Roadshow political theatre company.{{Cite web|date=5 July 2017|title=Communism and Jazz (Side B)|url=https://www.bravenewclassics.info/index.php/communism-and-jazz-side-b/|accessdate=12 November 2020|website=Brave New Classics}}
- {{Cite news|last=Reynolds|first=Stanley|date=29 November 1975|title=Diary|page=8|work=The Guardian}}

Grand Union's first production was Jelly Roll Soul,{{Cite web|title=Grand Union Orchestra|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/music/grand-union-orchestra-broadgate-circle-26-june-2012|accessdate=13 December 2020|website=Time Out London|date=26 June 2012}}
- {{Cite web|last=Haynes|first=Tony|date=25 October 2014|title=PREVIEW: Undream'd Shores. Grand Union Orchestra 30th Anniversary Concert. (Hackney Empire, Nov 1 + 2|url=https://londonjazznews.com/2014/10/25/preview-undreamd-shores-grand-union-orchestra-30th-anniversary-concert-hackney-empire-nov-1-2/|accessdate=13 December 2020|website=London Jazz News}} based on the life and music of the New Orleans jazz pioneer Jelly Roll Morton.{{Cite web|last=Heining|first=Duncan|title=Grand Union Orchestra: Music and Movement|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/grand-union-orchestra-music-and-movement-grand-union-orchestra-by-duncan-heining.php|date=3 April 2012|accessdate=13 December 2020|website=All About Jazz}} The show had original compositions by Haynes alongside classics made famous by Morton, and starred Tony Armatrading and Claudette Williams.{{Cite web|title=Brochure for July 1982|url=https://www.thegordoncraigtheatrearchive.org.uk/catalogue_item/brochure-for-july-1982|accessdate=11 November 2020|website=The Gordon Craig Archive}} The script was by John Cumming, who went on to found the London Jazz Festival{{Cite news|last=Williams|first=Richard|date=2020-05-20|title=John Cumming obituary|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/20/john-cumming-obituary|access-date=2021-04-01|issn=0261-3077}} with his production company Serious.{{Cite web|last=Haynes|first=Tony|date=1 June 2020|title=A look at lockdown: Grand Union Orchestra|url=https://londonjazznews.com/2020/06/01/a-look-at-lockdown-grand-union-orchestra/|accessdate=13 December 2020|website=London Jazz News}}

The company's third show, Strange Migration, was premiered in 1983 and toured the UK in three 10-week runs.{{Cite web|last=Haynes|first=Tony|date=24 April 2013|title=22: 30 Years of Strange Migration|url=https://tonyhaynesmusic.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/22-30-years-of-strange-migration/|accessdate=13 December 2020|website=A COMPOSER'S BLOG|publisher=Grand Union Orchestra}}

In 1984, the company was commissioned by the Greater London Council to celebrate its "Year Against Racism", creating The Song of Many Tongues and using the title Grand Union Orchestra for the first time. The show was performed at the Stratford-upon-Avon festival, Tring Jazz Festival, Nottingham Festival and Wigan Jazz Festival in 1986.

The orchestra consists of between 15 and 18 members. Membership is fluid, with performers drawn from a roster of around thirty musicians. There has been a core of regular members since the early 1980s including Tony Haynes, Chris Biscoe, Claude Deppa, Ros Davies and Gerry Hunt.{{Cite web|last=Heining|first=Duncan|title=Grand Union Orchestra: Grand Union Orchestra: The Song of Many Tongues|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-song-of-many-tongues-by-duncan-heining.php|accessdate=13 December 2020|website=All About Jazz|date=9 November 2014 }} Internationally acclaimed musicians of more than 50 nationalities have played with the orchestra,{{Cite web|date=29 November 2018|title=The Grand Union Orchestra|url=https://loveeast.london/uncategorized/the_grand_union_orchestra/|accessdate=5 November 2020|website=LoveEast Magazine}} many of whom are first generation immigrants.{{Cite news|last=Zeric|first=Arijana|date=4 September 2019|title=Better United: Interview with Tony Haynes|pages=54–55|work=BEAST magazine}}

Chris Smith, the former MP for Islington South & Finsbury and later Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, was a Grand Union director in the mid-1990s.{{Cite news|date=5 August 1996|title=Members' Interests|page=86/13|work=The Guardian}} Originally based in Clerkenwell, London EC1, the organisation's offices and studios have moved gradually east to Shoreditch, Spitalfields and Bethnal Green since the 1990s.

Grand Union is known for improvisation and blending apparently incompatible musical styles, always underpinned by big band jazz. Its music is inspired by global influences, including Chinese, African, Indian, Bengali and Latin American, all drawing on the cultural heritage of the musicians and performers.{{Cite web|first=Jane|last=Cocklin|date=10 July 2019|title=Interview: Tony Haynes, Grand Union Orchestra – Storytelling Through Authenticity (July 2019)|url=http://www.rhythmpassport.com/articles-and-reviews/interview/interview-tony-haynes-grand-union-orchestra-storytelling-through-authenticity-july-2019/|accessdate=13 December 2020|website=Rhythm Passport}} Big band blues, Indian ragas, Latin American salsa, Chinese harmonies, Bengali songs, reggae basslines, West African drumming, bhangra and samba rhythms all feature at Grand Union performances.{{Cite web|title=Grand Union Orchestra @ Capstone Theatre|website=Milapfest|url=https://www.milapfest.com/events/grand-union-orchestra-capstone-theatre/|accessdate=13 December 2020}}

Grand Union works often address social and political issues associated with cultural diversity and integration. Recurring themes include migration and exile, anti-racism and multiculturalism, conflict and persecution, and community and social justice.{{Cite web|date=22 November 2018|title=Grand Union Orchestra to perform in Shoreditch|url=https://www.eastlondonlines.co.uk/2018/11/grand-union-orchestra-to-perform-in-shoreditch/|accessdate=11 November 2020|website=East London Lines|first=Gregory|last=Robinson}} Writers who have contributed lyrics for the group include David Bradford, Valerie Bloom, Sara Clifford, Masud Ahamed, Manuel Alegre and John Matshikiza.{{Cite news|title=Jazz preview|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/aug/04/jazz|accessdate=13 December 2020|website=The Guardian|first=John|last=Fordham

|date=4 August 2007}}
- {{Cite web|title=Grand Union Orchestra at LSO St Luke's, London|website=All About Jazz|first=Chris|last=May|date=3 November 2004 |url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/grand-union-orchestra-at-lso-st-lukes-london-grand-union-orchestra-by-chris-may.php|accessdate=13 December 2020}}

The group has toured throughout the UK, from Bath{{Cite news|date=21 November 1998|title=Listings|page=186/52|work=The Guardian}} to Orkney,{{Cite news|date=18 June 1988|title=Listings|page=35|work=The Guardian}} Leicester{{Cite news|date=18 March 2000|title=Listings|page=205/20|work=The Guardian}} to Manchester,{{Cite news|date=13 December 1989|title=Listings|page=37|work=The Guardian}} and Brecon{{Cite news|date=18 August 1989|title=Listings|page=31|work=The Guardian}} to Grimsby.{{Cite news|date=10 July 1987|title=Listings|page=13|work=The Guardian}} In London, it has performed at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Covent Garden, Sadler's Wells, Hackney Empire, Wilton's Music Hall, The Place, the Commonwealth Institute, Lilian Baylis Theatre and Purcell Room.{{Cite web|date=28 May 2000|title=Grand Union|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2000/may/29/jazz|accessdate=12 November 2020|website=The Guardian}}
- {{Cite web|title=Grand Union Orchestra: Musicians coming together for performance in Leeds|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/grand-union-orchestra-musicians-coming-together-performance-leeds-1808906|accessdate=12 November 2020|website=The Yorkshire Post}}{{Cite web|title=Grand Union Orchestra: Song of Contagion|url=https://www.wiltons.org.uk/whatson/303-grand-union-orchestra-song-of-contagion|accessdate=13 December 2020|publisher=Wilton's}}

It has worked with the BBC Concert Orchestra and its shows have been broadcast several times on BBC Radio 3.{{Cite web|title=grand union|first=Tony|last=Haynes|url=https://musiceducationuk.com/tag/grand-union/|accessdate=13 December 2020|website=Music Education UK}}{{Cite web|title=Jazz File 3 March 2007|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/jazzfile/pip/stm0i/|accessdate=13 December 2020|publisher=BBC}}
- {{Cite news|date=2 July 2000|title=Radio listings|page=23|work=The Observer}}

The organisation receives no regular subsidy, but is instead funded through project-based grants and commissions. Grand Union has been supported by grant-giving organisations such as the Musicians' Union, Arts Council, National Lottery,{{Cite web|title=What the River Brings|publisher=The National Lottery Community Fund|url=https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/grants/0031055045|accessdate=10 November 2020}} Greater London Council and Arts for Labour.

• The Song of Many Tongues – RedGold Records, 1986{{Cite news|last=Barker|first=Dennis|date=18 February 1989|title=Saturday People: Freedom calling in song language|page=2|work=The Guardian}}
• Freedom Calls – RedGold Records, 1989
• Songlines – RedGold Records, 1992
• The Rhythm of Tides – RedGold Records, 1997
• Where The Rivers Meet – RedGold Records, 2000
• Now Comes The Dragon's Hour – RedGold Records, 2002
• Around The World In 80 Minutes – RedGold Records, 2002
• Bhangra, Babylon & The Blues – RedGold Records, 2005
• 12 For 12 – RedGold Records, 2011
• If Paradise – RedGold Records, 2011

Since 1982, nearly forty different shows have been performed by the orchestra or band.

• Jelly Roll Soul (1982)
• The Lost Chord (1983)
• Strange Migration (1983)
• The Song of Many Tongues (1984)
• The Lightning and The Rainbow (1985){{Cite web|title=Jonathan Chadwick – AZ Theatre|url=https://aztheatre.org.uk/jonathan-chadwick/|accessdate=19 November 2020}}
• Threads (1986)
• A Book of Numbers (1987){{Cite news|last=Martin|first=Pete|date=24 July 1987|title=Jazz|page=18|work=The Guardian}}
• Freedom Calls (1989)
• If Music Could... (1990)
• Shadows of the Sun (1992)
• Songlines (1992){{Cite news|last=Atkins|first=Ronald|date=24 November 1992|title=Jazz|page=6|work=The Guardian}}
• Nau Charia De (1994){{Cite web|title=History|publisher=Grand Union Orchestra|url=http://grandunion.org.uk/history.php|accessdate=19 November 2020}}
• Dancing In The Flames (1995)
• The Rhythm of Tides (1997)
• Beyond The Silk Road (1999)
• Now Comes The Dragon's Hour (1999)
• Where The Rivers Meet (2000){{Cite news|last=Fordham|first=John|date=29 May 2000|title=Grand Union at Sadler's Wells|page=13|work=The Guardian}}
• Doctor Carnival (2001){{Cite web|title=Grand Union Orchestra, King's Lynn|url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/going-out/grand-union-orchestra-king-s-lynn-1-701124|accessdate=12 November 2020|website=Eastern Daily Press}}
• Bhangra, Babylon and the Blues (2003){{Cite news|last=Pollock|first=David|date=31 October 2003|title=Multinational Union a Grand thing to behold|work=Edinburgh Evening News}}
• If Paradise (2003){{Cite web|title=Grand Union Orchestra: If Paradise|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/grand-union-orchestra-if-paradise-by-chris-may.php|accessdate=12 November 2020|website=All About Jazz}}
• On Liberation Street (2005){{Cite news|date=March 2012|title=Hackney schools steal the limelight at Grand Union Orchestra show|work=Hackney Gazette}}
• Can't Chain Up Me Mind (2007){{Cite news|date=30 June 2007|title=Brochure|work=Hebden Bridge Arts Festival|url=http://www.hebdenbridge.co.uk/festival/2007/hbfestival.pdf}}
• 25th Anniversary (2008){{Cite news|last=Fordham|first=John|date=11 March 2008|title=Grand Union Orchestra, Vortex, London|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/mar/11/jazz|accessdate=12 November 2020|issn=0261-3077}}
• 11.11.11 (2011)
• The Golden Road, The Unforgiving Sea (2011)
• Trading Roots (2011){{Cite news|last=Kleebauer|first=Alistair|title=Grand Union Orchestra and its youth players team up with the BBC for special Hackney Empire concert|url=https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/entertainment/music/grand-union-orchestra-and-its-youth-players-team-up-with-the-bbc-for-special-hackney-empire-concert-1-805137|accessdate=12 November 2020|website=East London Advertiser}}
• The Golden Highway (2012)
• Liberation & Remembrance (2012){{Cite news|title=Grand Union Orchestra presents Liberation & Remebrance|url=https://www.residentadvisor.net/events/419689|accessdate=12 November 2020|website=Resident Advisor}}
• Music Untamed (2013)
• Undream’d Shores (2014){{Cite news|title=Grand Union Orchestra: Musicians coming together for performance in Leeds|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/grand-union-orchestra-musicians-coming-together-performance-leeds-1808906|accessdate=12 November 2020|work=Yorkshire Post}}
• The Isle is Full of Noises (2015){{Cite web|title=Grand Union Orchestra's funded project culminates with performances and debate|website=Creative Europe Desk UK|url=https://www.creativeeuropeuk.eu/news/grand-union-orchestras-funded-project-culminates-performances-and-debate|accessdate=13 December 2020}}
• After Cable Street (2016){{Cite web|title=Cable Street Remembered |url=https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/grants/0031039238|accessdate=12 November 2020|publisher=The National Lottery Community Fund}}
• Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton (2016){{Cite web|date=4 July 2016|title=Vortex to host jazz extravaganza in tribute to Jelly Roll Morton|url=https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2016/07/04/grand-union-orchestra-vortex-jazz-club-tribute-jelly-roll-morton/|accessdate=12 November 2020|website=Hackney Citizen}}
• Song of Contagion (2017)
• What The River Brings (2018){{Cite web|title=GRAND UNION ORCHESTRA - WHAT THE RIVER BRINGS|publisher=St John on Bethnal Green|url=https://www.stjohnonbethnalgreen.org/?p=1881031|accessdate=12 November 2020}}
• Uncharted Crossings (2018){{Cite web|title=Grand Union Orchestra: Uncharted Crossings|url=https://shoreditchtownhall.com/whats-on/grand-union-orchestra-uncharted-crossings|accessdate=12 November 2020|publisher=Shoreditch Town Hall Trust}}
• Roots in Rhythm (2019){{Cite web|title=Grand Union Orchestra presents: Roots in Rhythm Live|url=https://poplarunion.com/event/grand-union-orchestra-presents-roots-in-rhythm-live/|accessdate=12 November 2020|website=Poplar Union}}
• Bengal To Bethnal Green (2019)
• Rising Tides (2019){{Cite web|title=Bethnal Greeners Series – Grand Union Orchestra {{!}}|url=http://www.lovebethnalgreen.com/bethnal-greeners-series-grand-union-orchestra/|accessdate=12 November 2020|website=Love Bethnal Green.com}}
• Sounding Bethnal Green (2019/20)

Grand Union have been running workshops in schools, youth clubs and job centres since 1984.{{Cite web |title=Repertoire |url=https://musiceducationuk.com/tag/repertoire/|accessdate=2020-11-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510040212/https://musiceducationuk.com/tag/repertoire/ |archive-date=2021-05-10 |website=musiceducationuk.com |quote=At that time, {{sic|multicul|tarism}} was all the rage so, before long, we were asked do workshops ... in job centres, youth clubs and schools.}} They are well known for large-scale projects involving young people and community groups.{{Cite web|title=The Grand Union Orchestra – Uncharted Crossings (9 Dec)|url=https://ebonyonline.net/the-grand-union-orchestra-uncharted-crossings/|accessdate=2020-11-05}}

The organisation has taken part in projects with Centres for Advanced Training (CATs) and music hubs across the UK, alongside workshops with county/borough ensembles and a variety of one-off workshops or short residencies.

They continue to run cross-cultural music workshops throughout the UK.{{Cite web|title=North Leeds Life – Connecting You To The Community|url=https://www.northleedslifegroup.com/|accessdate=11 November 2020}}

The Grand Union Band is a smaller ensemble composed of Grand Union regulars, featuring up to 10 musicians. The band has been performing at clubs and festivals since the late 1980s and has released one album, Around The World In 80 Minutes.{{Cite news|last=Walters|first=John L.|date=18 October 2002|title=On the edge - big banned jazz|page=25|work=The Guardian}}

The 2002 album actually features several versions of the Grand Union Band; the 20 songs were recorded in five different locations round the world. The group's musical core mirrors that of the Grand Union Orchestra, drawing on influences from Bangladesh, Latin America, the Caribbean, Portugal and the Far East.

The Grand Union Youth Orchestra (GUYO) was founded in 2007 to bring together young musicians aged 12–26 who wish to explore the world's major musical cultures.{{Cite web|title=Grand Union Youth Orchestra Masterclass|url=https://www.hackneymusic.co.uk/event/grand-union-youth-orchestra-masterclass-2/|accessdate=2020-11-05|website=Hackney Music}}

Free monthly masterclasses and workshops are given by professional musicians including regular members of Grand Union Orchestra such as Claude Deppa and Louise Elliott. Primarily based in London, GUYO also operates regularly in Cambridge, Croydon and Essex.

As well as aiming to give young people an educational experience for its own sake, the Youth Orchestra offers a pathway for upcoming musicians to the full Grand Union Orchestra, which has seen several musicians join the senior ensemble.{{Cite web|title=GRAN UNION YOUTH ORCHESTRA SPRING MASTERCLASSES|url=https://network.youthmusic.org.uk/gran-union-youth-orchestra-spring-masterclasses|accessdate=2020-11-05|website=Youth Music Network}} Young people who play non-Western instruments are particularly encouraged to join the ensemble. With a focus on improvisation skills,{{Cite web|title=Grand Union Youth Orchestra|publisher=Ronnie Scott's Charitable Foundation|url=https://foundation.ronniescotts.co.uk/grand-union-youth-orchestra/|accessdate=2020-11-05}} the Youth Orchestra explores music from the cultures flourishing in London today.{{Cite web|title=Grand Union Youth Orchestra Masterclass|url=https://richmix.org.uk/events/grand-union-youth-orchestra-masterclass/|accessdate=2020-11-05|website=Rich Mix}}

In 2018, the Youth Orchestra was sponsored by the Ronnie Scott Charitable Foundation for a series of jazz and world music workshops.

In 2019, the Youth Orchestra performed at the All Points East festival in Victoria Park, east London.

The composition of the group is truly international, reflecting the multicultural nature of London. Members' countries and regions of origin include Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, Bangladesh, China, India, East Africa, South Africa and the Caribbean.

Grand Union's residential summer school has been held annually since it was founded in 2014.{{Cite web|title=Grand Union Youth Orchestra|url=https://summerschooldirectory.co.uk/listing/grand-union-youth-orchestra/|accessdate=2020-11-05|website=Summer School Directory}} Young musicians aged 12–21 can attend to learn world music techniques first-hand from experts, and develop their creative and improvisational skills.{{Cite web|title=Grand Union Summer School|url=https://network.youthmusic.org.uk/grand-union-summer-school|accessdate=12 November 2020|website=Youth Music Network}} Summer schools have been held in Peterborough, Essex and London.{{Cite web|title=GRAND UNION ORCHESTRA – SUMMER SCHOOL at WRITTLE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE – Essex Music Education Hub|url=https://www.essexmusichub.org.uk/site/events/grand-union-orchestra-summer-school-at-writtle-university-college/#&gid=1&pid=1|accessdate=12 November 2020|website=www.essexmusichub.org.uk}}{{Cite web|title=Grand Union Orchestra announces third summer school|url=https://www.rhinegold.co.uk/music_teacher/grand-union-orchestra-announces-third-summer-school/|accessdate=12 November 2020|website=Rhinegold}}{{Cite web|title=Grand Union Summer School '16|url=https://www.newham-music.org.uk/event/sound-and-music-summer-school-16/|accessdate=12 November 2020|website=Newham Music}}{{Cite web|title=Grand Union Youth Orchestra Summer School 2017|url=https://network.youthmusic.org.uk/events/grand-union-youth-orchestra-summer-school-2017|accessdate=12 November 2020|website=Youth Music Network}}

• [http://grandunion.org.uk/ Website]
• {{discogs artist|Grand Union Orchestra}}

Category:English jazz ensembles