It truly was a lovely summer’s evening when a good number of people assembled in the garden of Arbourtree House, kindly provided by the owners, Kim and Mick Brown, to enjoy fresh Strawberries & refreshing Pimms at the concert reception.
Around 7:15 the gathering transferred to St Benedict Biscop church for the Wombourne Music Festival concert performed by Josh Xerri & Friends.
Seven of the most talented performers, mostly taken from the Birmingham Conservatoire together with Tomos Xerri, the internationally known Harpist and brother of Josh (our Festival Artistic Director) delighted the audience with a wonderful evening of music and song.
The music ranged from Josh on the organ playing “Moon River” and “Til there was you” to his brother, Tomos, with pieces by Handel, Hindemith and Debussy and including the well known “Salut d’Amour by Elgar.…. Interspersed by a Barbershop rendition of “Goodbye my Coney Island baby” and some classic solos by William Peart and Joe Cooper, accompanied by Simon Ogdon on piano.
The whole evening was enjoyed by one of the largest audiences seen at a single festival event and the concert closed with an encore, following numerous requests for Josh to play, what is becoming a kind of “signature” tune, “Somewhere over the Rainbow”
Thank you Josh & Friends for putting on a splendid concert and we all look forward to seeing you and your friends later in the year when you play at the 2017 Music Festival in September.
