Mapesbury Estate Area Guide

Kodaly - Peacock Variations Rautavaara - Cantus Arcticus Sibelius - Two Pieces from Kuolema (Valse Triste, Scene with Cranes) Respighi - The Pines of Rome Join us for a celebration of composers who have been inspired by birds. Kodaly's Peacock Variations is based on an ancient Hungarian melody which was only re-discovered in 1937. Finish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara subtitled his Cantus Arcticus with "Concerto for Birds and Orchestra", the piece incorporates the composer's own tape recordings of birdsong. In his own words, "somber, stately, mysterious and mostly consonant". Sibelius originally wrote Kuolema as incidental music to a play, before revising some of the music as separate works. Our first piece "Valse Triste" is easily the most performed of the set; the lesser known "Scene with Cranes" wasn't published until 16 years after his death. The Pines of Rome, a tone poem penned by Italian composer Ottorino Respighi, is a spectacular tour around Rome drawing inspiration not just from the pine trees in the title, but also playing children, graveyards, and (of course) birds.

Join local historian Ben and culture buff Claudia as they take you through the trendy and photographic neighbourhood of Notting Hill. Steeped in cultural history, discover how this carnival corner of the capital became a melting pot for people of all backgrounds. Discover the stories, history, and iconic faces of a high-end London neighborhood with a quirky audio guide you can download to your phone - the only thing we can't promise is bumping into Hugh Grant or Julia Roberts!

England take on India in this International fixture.

JACKSON MATHOD @jacksonmathod Jackson Mathod is a multi-instrumentalist and singer. Drawing on influences from the likes of Miles Davis, Roy Hargrove and Christian Scott to name a few. In times where everything can feel too heavy, Jackson’s music delivers a very simple and universal message: have fun, move, and enjoy the amazing musicianship on display. ‘COME ON NOW’ saw Jackson receive accolades from across the board with BBC6, BBC 1Xtra, Jazz FM, Jamie Cullum and Gilles Peterson showing strong support. Jackson studied Jazz at Guildhall School of Music and Drama back in 2009. However, never feeling fully embedded in the Jazz world, he quickly went onto the session musician circuit, playing for high profile artists such as Stormzy and Jordan Rakei. Following a string of very successful singles in 2020, Jackson released his debut album ‘Travels in a Confined Space’ in April of 2021, where he received support from BBC 6music (Huey Morgan), BBC introducing (Jess Iszatt and Robert Elms), Worldwide FM (Gilles Peterson) and was playlisted on Jazz FM. JOE HERBERT [EMERGENCE] @joeherbertmusic Joe Herbert is a London-based contemporary jazz guitarist and composer, blending playful creativity with a deep love for the jazz tradition. His trio’s upcoming debut album, Deeply, explores the unique possibilities of the guitar trio format, featuring lively interplay and a cohesive sound. Joe’s influences are wide ranging, regularly playing in funk, soul, and blues bands, and having played classical guitar as a teenager. His playing and compositions reflect this, with directness and simplicity meeting expressiveness and emotion. Joe has studied the playing and approach of the likes of Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Grant Green, Wayne Shorter, and Wes Montgomery, and these influences have shaped his sound. After growing up in Bedford and studying music at the University of Southampton, Joe moved to London in 2022 and has since established himself as one of the city’s leading up-and-coming jazz guitarists. He has performed his original music with his own groups around the city, including in sold out shows in the London Jazz Festival in 2023 and 2024, and as a sideman he has performed at Ronnie Scott’s, the Barbican, and in jazz clubs across Europe.

Shakespeare in the Squares will be back this summer to celebrate their eighth anniversary with a new production of The Taming of the Shrew, a battle of wits, wills and wild romance complete with toe-tapping pop classics. Shakespeare in the Squares is a not-for-profit touring theatre company that stages a new Shakespeare play across London for one night in each venue every summer. This years programme features 34 performances across 28 beautiful London locations. The tour kicks off on Wednesday 4th June in Leinster Square, W2, and concludes over five weeks later in The Actors Church Garden, WC2. Press night is scheduled for Wednesday 11th June at Cleveland Square, W2. Shakespeare in the Squares is a cornerstone of Londons summer cultural calendar, renowned for tailoring each performance to the individual venue, providing the audience with a truly unique show every time.

SoulTime! is a co-led project by renowned pianist Leon Greening and exceptional trumpeter Steve Fishwick. They are coming back to Ladbroke Hall with a new program featuring compositions by trumpet legend Lee Morgan, their own originals and compositions by Bobby Timmons. Expect swinging and soulful sounds steeped in The Blues. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to witness these talented musicians live in action! This group is committed to presenting the music in the spirit in which it was originally created, with plenty of melody, soul, and down-home grooves. “Leon Greening epitomises the assured confidence of a new generation”\-Jazz Journal “Steve has his own style. He plays from the bottom to the top of the horn whilst maintaining the integrity of the chords. I can’t think of another trumpeter who can do what he does!”\-Wynton Marsalis Line up: Leon Greening- Piano Steve Fishwick- Trumpet Matyas Hofecker -Bass Matt Home- Drums Presented by Ladbroke Hall. This is an 18+ event