Jeffery Wilson writes: 'Aria da Capo was written for my dear friend Tony Hougham in celebration of his 25 years as principal Double Bass of the ROH Orchestra at Covent Garden. The 'operatic' form of the piece refers to the working environment of this fine musician and the music itself explores the lyrical qualities of this most expressive instrument.'
Aria Da Capo was premiered by David Heyes (double bass) and Gemma Beeson (piano) at Wells Cathedral School (Somerset, UK) on Sunday 2 October 2011.
Jeffery Wilson is one of the country's foremost composers and educators in music, especially in the field of jazz. He studied composition at the Royal College of music with John Lambert and Herbert Howells, later with Aladar Majorossy, Gordon Jacob and Olivier Messiaen. From 1986 until recently he was visiting lecturer in composition, improvisation and saxophone at the Utrecht Conservatorium.
He is a professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama's Junior School, supervisor on the music faculty of Cambridge University and advisor on matters Jazz and Saxophone for Trinity Guildhall exams. He has been commissioned by dozens of top artists in both classical and jazz fields, and a growing number of his works are available on CD.
