One to watch

ONE OF BRITAIN’S RISING CLASSICAL AND JAZZ MUSICIANS, SIMON MULLIGAN, DISCUSSES HIS COLLABORATIONS WITH LORD YEHUDI MENUHIN AND JAMMING WITH MILES DAVIS’ BAND one of his concerts to a halt. My piano stool collapsed while I was playing and I fell to my knees. Lord Menuhin stopped the concert and amiably asked, “Something wrong?” I still get emails about it. Why do you play classical and jazz music? I love to play classical music – Beethoven is my biggest inspiration. Jazz is more challenging and a great skill. Miles Davis was a phenomenal musician; I even got to jam with members of his last band at the Barbados Jazz Festival. There’s nothing like playing the blues. What is coming up? Various concerts and I’ve recently released CDs of jazz and classical music. I am also a keen composer. I’ve done various TV and film scores, including the animation film Hercules. My dream would be to write a James Bond theme. Simon Mulligan will be in concert at The Wigmore Hall (www..wigmorehall.org.uk), London, 5 January. His latest CDs, Piano and Playlist, are available from www.simonmulligan.com How have you got to where you are today? I’m a big believer in those dreary scales, as practice does make perfect. I have made some sacrifices. I attended the Royal Academy of Music at 14 and I had to drop my sports lessons to fit in the practice. I have strong hands now though, so I don’t regret not being able to run the marathon. A seven-year collaboration with Lord Menuhin… I met him in April 1992 through a promoter and a few months later he asked me to record a CD with him. I was only 19; it was just incredible. He was a humble and undemanding man, even when I brought

Perfect harmony Simon’s CV

Simon Mulligan, 33, played his first public concerto aged seven and had his debut at 19 with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He’s supported Van Morrison and Dame Shirley Bassey in concert, and composed the score for Joan Collins’ play Full Circle. His various CDs include a collaboration with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

LISTEN UP: SIMON’S TOP VENUES

JAZZ BARS 606 Club, London (www.606club. co.uk) Great music in an unpretentious atmosphere. Ronnie Scott’s, London (www..ronniescotts.co.uk) Newly revamped, it has a world-class line up. New Morning Café, Paris (www..newmorning.com) A relaxed place with great performers. Barbados Jazz Festival (see page 16 for details) Amazing setting, great music, perfect event. CLASSICAL VENUES Wigmore Hall, London (www..wigmorehall. org.uk) Without doubt, one of the best concert halls in the world. Salle Pleyel, Paris (www.sallepleyel.fr) Similar style to the Wigmore Hall. A wonderful place. Bellagio hotel, Las Vegas (www..bellagio.com) There’s probably more Liberace than classical here, but the venue is spectacular.