Skip to main content

“Percussionist extraordinaire" Joby Burgess performs his new album 'A Percussionist’s Songbook' - a collection of specially commissioned "songs without words".

Scored for an arsenal of pitched percussion and electronics the songbook is inspired by texts ranging from the poetry of Robert Graves and Birago Diop to novels by Michael Ondaatje and Isaac Asimov; American philosopher Michael Sandel, songwriter Peter Gabriel, United Nation population growth statistics and Saudi Arabian folk tales.

One of Britain’s most diverse percussionists, Joby is equally at home performing with Peter Gabriel at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and The Who at Wembley Stadium as reimagining Blade Runner at Sydney Opera House and Ibiza Classics at the Royal Albert Hall. 

Often found at Abbey Road and Air Studios, Joby’s playing can be heard on major film and TV scores, notably leading the percussion sections on Black Panther, Rocketman, Ad Astra, Mission: Impossible, The Darkest Hour, Dr Who and The Green Planet.

Programme

John Metcalfe Love Without Hope 
Tunde Jegede The Ancestors Are Within 
Dario Marianelli Unequal 
Yazz Ahmed Throw Your Pumpkin (& Pick Me Up) 
Joby Burgess Come Sweet Death 
Graham Fitkin Species
Dobrinka Tabakova Desert Swimmers 
Gabriel Prokofiev Dr Calvin Remembers 
Joby Burgess Take Me Home
 

Presented by The Queen's Hall

"with percussionist extraordinaire Joby Burgess ... thunder and menace are offset by taps, rattles and delicate whispers redolent of an entire percussion section."

(BBC Music Magazine)

Joby Burgess - A Percussionist's Songbook