Concerto for Piano and Toy Band"”Adam Simmons Creative Music Ensemble and Michael Kieran Harvey

Unique concert series to explore "The Usefulness of Art"

"”Adam Simmons Creative Music Ensemble + Michael Kieran Harvey at fortyfivedownstairs, Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th March 2017

Bubbles, rubber chickens, bursting balloons and toys aren"t usually associated with classical music or jazz concerts. But then again, Adam Simmons is not your usual modern composer and musician.

An award-winning and world-renowned musician, Simmons redefines the term "multi-instrumentalist", stretches the boundaries of modern composition, and infuses a sense of childlike wonder and playfulness into musical art forms better known for their gravitas.

The elements of gentle whimsy woven throughout his music have become as much a trademark as his collaborations with other virtuoso players, his theatrically-inspired performances, and his endearing habit of wearing red socks without shoes on stage.

This year, in his most ambitious musical performance project to date, Simmons brings a series of concerts to fortyfivedownstairs under the umbrella of "The Usefulness of Art""”a notion inspired by a Rodin quote, and the driving force behind his formidable musical career.

The first of the concerts is his Concerto for Piano and Toy Band, to be performed by the Adam Simmons Creative Music Ensemble with l"enfant terrible of modern classical piano, Michael Kieran Harvey. In its Melbourne premiere, the one-hour concerto will be performed from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th March, offering music and arts lovers a rare opportunity to experience the power and delight of this extraordinary work.

Through the classical form of the concerto, Concerto for Piano and Toy Band juxtaposes traditional instruments (piano, saxophone, trumpets, trombone, double bass and drums) with toys, in a joyful exploration of connections between the different worlds of solo/ ensemble, classical/jazz, and serious/humorous.

Simmons has a deserved reputation as one of Australia's most prolific and eclectic musical artists, appearing on festival stages and recordings with some of the world"s finest classical and jazz musicians. Michael Kieran Harvey is an internationally-recognised, classically-trained pianist. Together, these two good friends and self-described iconoclasts are champions of contemporary Australian composition, fierce defenders of the arts, and serious musicians who fuse original jazz, classical and avant garde music in a boisterous, passionate and joyous theatrical experience for audiences.

Concerto for Piano and Toy Band is the first in Simmons" "The Usefulness of Art" concert series, presenting a creative body of work over five major performance projects throughout 2017"”18. From his early VCA student days, Simmons" music has been inspired by influential French sculptor Auguste Rodin"s quote: "As for me, I call useful anything that gives us happiness."

Simmons believes that, "At a time when fear governs politics rather than vision and principles, at a time when we cannot offer our hand to those in need, at a time when support for music education is diminishing but studies show that music increases our empathy towards others and that it also has positive effects on the development of neural pathways, how can we not be encouraging more artistic experience and participation? This is the time when art is most useful!".

"The Usefulness of Art" concerts will be recorded live, for intended release digitally and as a box set of CDs.

CONCERT DETAILS

Concerto for Piano and Toy Band (by Adam Simmons)

Featuring: the Adam Simmons Creative Music Ensemble and Michael Kieran Harvey (piano soloist)

Dates: Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th March 2017, 7.30pm each night except Sunday matinee at 3pm

Venue: fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000

Ticket prices: $35 full / $30 concession. Subscription for three Adam Simmons concerts throughout 2017"”$90 full, $75 concession.

Ticketing URL: http://www.fortyfivedownstairs.com/wp2016/event/concerto-piano-toy-band/2017-03-05/

Phone bookings: 03 9662 9966

Further information: http://www.adamsimmons.com/gigs-news/

This concert is 60 minutes long, no interval. All ages welcome, children 12 years and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Disabled access to theatre is via Spark Lane; please contact the venue on (03) 9662 9966 to arrange access.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

This project is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.