Winter Songs
A Gillett Squared Event produced and managed by Hackney Co-operative Developments and the Vortex Jazz Club
A chilly 14th December in Gillett Square was warmed up with professional and voluntary singers and musicians from across Hackney and beyond. The on-site food market and participation of organisations such as Age Concern created an intimate community space for people to gather.
The event started with a performance of contemporary songs and carols by Colvestone Primary School choir. Over lunch, live jazz programmed by the Vortex from the renowned Portico Quartet filled the square with magical, ambient soundscapes. Members of the congregations of Stoke Newington Baptist and St Matthias Churches performed a fantastic set of carols and Will Gresford, manager of the Vortex and his colleague singer Clemmie Franks also performed in a vocal quartet with Harvey Brough and Clara Sanbras, a stunning, ethereal set of classic Christmas carols. 
After sunset, and with the illumination of Studio Upstairs’ Christmas pigeons in the square’s trees, singer Christine Tobín and guitarist Phil Robson brought some great swing and scat rhythms into the square with their unique interpretations of jazz standards. In the evening St Matthias Primary School Choir took the stage with more energetic carol singing followed by Dakrobi Arts community choir who got the audience participating in rousing spirituals, with stunning solos by local young people. The finale was an explosion of improvised African drumming by Dakrobi, followed by a performance of contemporary songs from East London choir Cosmicorus with live guitar and trumpet.
This event would not have been possible without the unpaid contribution of Ngozi of Dakrobi Arts, who led her own choir, 
MC'd the evenings proceedings and co-ordinated the participation of St Matthias Primary School Choir. We would also like to thank Ildiko Kerek for the involvement of Colvestone School and for bringing her own fantastic choir Cosmicorus to perform. Many thanks to the teachers, parents and carers at Colvestone and St Matthias Schools who made it possible for the choirs to participate. Gillett Squared also wants to extend a big thanks to the Dalston-based Documentary Film-makers Group for lending us some excellent microphones to amplify the choirs.
This event was funded by Hackney Co-operative Developments and London Borough of Hackney.
www.vortexjazz.co.uk www.myspace.com/cosmicorus www.dfgdocs.com
Photographs ©Peter Gettins www.petergettinsphotography.co.uk used by permission
Gillett Squared is the management group led by Hackney Co-operative Developments for arts and enterprise projects on Gillett Square.
