Deepening The River: Paul Towndrow & The Keywork Orchestra

Jazz saxophonist and composer Paul Towndrow leads a new and exciting multi-genre Big Band in his newly composed suite of music celebrating our city, its people, its culture and its potential. 

The Keywork Orchestra is a custom-built large ensemble comprising top international talent across a number of disciplines from jazz, to traditional folk and Indian classical music. The concert features the premier of a brand new work commissioned by Festival 2018, entitled ‘Deepening The River’.

The music explores a multitude of themes based around Glasgow’s people, communities, history, and culture, specifically the role in the 17th Century of The Merchants House of Glasgow in campaigning for the deepening of The Clyde to enable the passage of ships, and facilitate trade. 

“Deepening The River” becomes a powerful musical analogy, combining themes of hope, potential, social cultural and industrial history, movement of people, exchange of ideas, and deepening of thought, tolerance and understanding. The performances open the doors to one of Glasgow’s most central, yet lesser known music venues, The Merchants House Grand Hall, situated just of George Square and easily accessible to Queen Street Station.

The suite is a new commission for Festival 2018, and will be performed on two consecutive nights. The performances open the doors to one of Glasgow’s most central, yet lesser known music venues, situated just of George Square and easily accessible to Queen Street Station.