Turner Sims unveils 2024 autumn for 50th anniversary year

Turner Sims unveils 2024 autumn

Southampton’s Turner Sims unveils 2024 autumn programme to launch its 50th anniversary year

Turner Sims, the University of Southampton’s world-class music venue, today, (3 July 2024), announces its 2024 autumn programme in celebration of its 50th anniversary. Featuring an international programme packed with exciting performances, the quality lineup spans jazz, classical, contemporary, global and folk music.

A key highlight of the programme is the 50th anniversary concert (19th November) which includes the in-person premiere performance of extracts from Voyages of the Heart by renowned composer and kora virtuoso Tunde Jegede. Originally performed virtually during the pandemic, this 50-minute version of the piece will be brought to life by a diverse ensemble of musicians. Voyages of the Heart is a unique blend of various musical disciplines, including Indian classical, Folk, and Reggae. It weaves together different cultures, creating a unique synergy of different techniques and sounds.

This project, which explores themes of migration and identity, was commissioned by Turner Sims Southampton with Southampton City Council to mark the 400th anniversary of the departure of the Mayflower ship from Southampton. It is supported by Arts Council England and the University of Southampton.

Located on the University of Southampton Highfield campus, Turner Sims is widely acknowledged as one of the finest concert halls in the UK. Across 2024 and beyond the venue has big ambitions to contribute to building an inclusive world through the joy of live music. As part of this ambition, the 2024 autumn programme seeks to create space for people to experience live music together. Integral to that is an innovative engagement programme, which welcomes young people as leaders to co-design events with the team.

Concert Hall Manager Kevin Appleby and Head of Engagement and Participation Jessica Santer present a broad and ambitious programme of internationally significant performers to draw in audiences from Southampton and beyond.

Autumn 2024 at Turner Sims will provide opportunities to experience performances from renowned artists, discover new and emerging talents, and be involved in a variety of cultural events to stimulate and enhance an appreciation of music for all.

Highlights include:

A performance by Angela Hewitt, 26 September – this year’s autumn programme kicks off with a mesmerising evening of Scarlatti, Bach and Brahms from one of the world’s leading pianists, Angela Hewitt.
Courtney Pine’s 60th birthday celebrations, 29 September – Jazz Saxophonist Courtney Pine marks his 60th birthday year with a special edition of his award-winning project House of Legends. It celebrates the influence and contributions to the UK from the many varied people of the Caribbean. Audiences can expect an exhilarating mix of Merengue, Ska, Mento and Calypso as played through the lens (saxophone) of a UK-born artist with strong, proud Afro-Caribbean roots.
Will Gregory Moog Ensemble | Archimedes, 10 October – Presented in surround sound by Turner Sims’ Future Producers in a one-off performance, Will Gregory, one half of pop duo Goldfrapp, will lead an extraordinary 10-piece ensemble of analogue synths. The line-up will also include Portishead’s Adrian Utley and composer Graham Fitkin. Together they will perform works by Bach, John Carpenter, extracts from A Clockwork Orange, and new music from their first album, Heat Ray (released on Mute, June 2024). The piece will explore the extraordinary ways of combining monosynths whilst demonstrating their versatility.
Black British Folk Song with Angeline Morrison, 19 October – The singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter Angeline Morrison will bring music from her powerful album The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs of Black British Experience to the Turner Sims stage in October. She is joined by blues and folk musician Clarke Camilleri, who will support the performance.
Sultan Stevenson Trio, 31 October – A Londoner with roots in the Caribbean, Sultan is a product of both Tomorrow’s Warriors and the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy. With the addition of Jacob Gryn on bass, and Joel Waters on drums the Sultan Stevenson Trio, renowned for their mesmerizing jazz performances, is also set to grace the stage at Turner Sims in October. This performance promises an unforgettable evening of virtuoso piano, soulful bass, and dynamic percussion.
Rising star N’famady Kouyate, 14 November – The energetic master musician from Guinea brings his joyful fusion of Mandingue African, western jazz, pop, indie, and funk. Throughout the show N’famady will play balafon and guitar amongst his band multi-layered band.
Renowned cellist Natalie Clein, 17 January – Since her first appearance at Turner Sims in 1995, Natalie Clein has gone on to perform with the top orchestras and conductors around the world. Alongside pianist Marianna Shirinyan, she will perform three dramatic masterpieces for the cello.

Trios will also take centre stage in the programme, renowned UK jazz vocalist and multi-award winner, Claire Martin OBE, will perform with her accomplished Swedish trio Martin Sjöstedt, Niklas Fernqvist and Daniel Fredriksson. The Norwegian pianist and composer Tord Gustavsen will also be joined by his trio to perform music from his new album that blends jazz and ‘Nordic’ reflective moods.

Also on the programme audiences can explore both traditional and contemporary sounds by incredible artists including: Ensemble Molière, Seckou Keita, Adam Brown, The Rheingans Sisters, Erland Cooper, Elias string quartet with Robin Ireland.

Families can experience the charm of the wind quintet during a fun concert for 7 to 11-year-olds by joining the Toot! Ensemble. Towards the end of the year, University of Southampton Voices and GreenMatthews will bring the winter season to life in a riot of sound and colour, great for families to enjoy the tradition of festive music. Free tickets are available for 8–25-year-olds to selected chamber music concerts – for more information please visit www.turnersims.co.uk/venue-information/cavatina-scheme/

Kevin Appleby, Concert Hall Manager at Turner Sims, says:

“As we celebrate the 50th birthday of Turner Sims, we are thrilled to present a diverse array of exceptional musicians from all corners of the world. Our programme, comprising both interpretations of timeless classics and innovative works to an exceptional standard, has something for everyone to listen to this autumn.’’

Jessica Santer, Head of Engagement and Participation at Turner Sims, says:

“Our young Vibe Collective and Future Producers are adding fresh ideas and perspectives to our 50th celebrations. They’ve encouraged us to explore new genres and formats and are working with us to welcome new audiences to share the next 50 years with us.”

Tickets for the 50th Anniversary concert go on general sale on 5 July 2024. The rest of the 2024 autumn programme is on sale now.

For the full programme visit www.turnersims.co.uk

To book, call the Box Office on 023 8059 5151 or visit www.turnersims.co.uk

About Turner Sims

Turner Sims is acknowledged as one of the finest music venues in the country, with a year-round programme of outstanding classical, jazz, global and folk music.

The venue regularly welcomes internationally renowned musicians such as Paul Lewis, Jess Gillam, GoGo Penguin, Takács Quartet, and Courtney Pine to Southampton.

Turner Sims’ intimate auditorium, outstanding acoustic and garden setting make it a favourite destination for artists and audiences alike.

Over the past year, Turner Sims has significantly expanded its engagement programme putting co-design at the heart of its work to spread the joy of live music to new audiences beyond its building. It is creating opportunities for children and young people, as leaders and performers, to produce events in the venue and out in the community.

The Vibe Collective is a group of 18-25-year-olds working with Turner Sims to produce events for their age group.

The Future Producers are a group of students from the University of Southampton’s Music Department who are working with the team to gain skills in producing, administering, and marketing music events.

Turner Sims is part of Arts at University of Southampton – inspiring arts and culture for everyone www.southampton.ac.uk/arts

It is one of two leading arts organisations supported by the University. Both Turner Sims and the University’s John Hansard Gallery are Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisations.

The University of Southampton drives original thinking, turns knowledge into action and impact, and creates solutions to the world’s challenges. It is among the top 100 institutions globally (QS World University Rankings 2023). The University’s academics are leaders in their fields, forging links with high-profile international businesses and organisations, and inspiring a 22,000-strong community of exceptional students, from over 135 countries worldwide. Through high-quality education, the University helps students on a journey of discovery to realise their potential and join a global network of over 200,000 alumni. www.southampton.ac.uk