Supertonic - Minor Alterations – Press Release
Supertonic is proud to present "Minor Alterations", its first entirely jazz based concert, at Hannah Playhouse on
Saturday October 8. Far from the same jazz choir numbers you've all heard before, this one-night-only show pulls the
power of jazz into songs from totally different origins, complete with a three-piece combo and the effervescent vocals
of soprano Imogen Thirlwall.
Will Todd's Mass in Blue twists the standard Latin Mass into a punchy uplifting jazz ride, delving into scorching blues,
up-tempo beats and swinging into a jazz waltz. This enormously popular music doesn't hold anything back - the soaring
voices of the 56-strong choir interplays with the dramatic soprano soloist, supported by the rich blues and driving
groove of the band.
Paired with this is a series of well-known songs reinvigorated through the jazz idiom. My Favourite Things becomes the
story of a modern day jazz singer, balancing the demands of the everyday with a rich musical life; Scarborough Fair
takes the popular Simon and Garfunkel melody down a haunting path - a treat for fans of folk and jazz alike; Queen's
Crazy Little Thing Called Love remains familiar and toe-tappingly catchy.
Supertonic's singers pride themselves on presenting appealing, varied and high quality choral music to Wellington and
beyond. Despite being less than three years old, the choir has already made a name for itself as a "new phenomenon on
the Wellington choral scene". Equally at home with traditional classical music such as Vaughan Williams' Mass in G and
Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb, Supertonic enjoys presenting more boundary-pushing programmes such as Fighting in the
Dance Hall, a pairing of arrangements from Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours and David Bowie’s Hunky Dory.
The choir's director is Isaac Stone, a teacher of classroom music and leader of the choral programme at Tawa College in
Wellington. Isaac places a premium on making choral music that is accessible but challenging - creating concerts that
inspire both new and experienced singers, as well as capturing and captivating a new audience for choral music in
Wellington.
Tickets are Waged $25 / Unwaged $15 and can be purchased from hannahplayhouse.org.nz.