Missing Pieces | part 2 (us)

Missing Pieces is a collection of 5 compositions, created by Gemma Bass, which intentionally have bits missing. Key elements of the music are left to chance or choice and put into the hands of whoever is performing them.

“Two of my big passions are collaboration and performer-led music-making. Missing Pieces is just a bunch of ideas that can act as launchpads for performers to play with and explore. The hope is that players will see more of themselves in the music they’re making, without having to be trained composers or improvisers. It’s really engaging for audiences as well because something unique and personal is being crafted right in front of them.”

In this second iteration – part 2 (us) – Gemma works with regular collaborators Richard Jones and Amy Jolly to present interpretations informed by their existing social and musical connections. Bringing different musical language and physical practice, these performers search for common ground but also provoke and challenge each other and the new works they are exploring together.

Gemma Bass – violin, composition

Gemma Bass is a violinist, composer, improviser and project leader based in Manchester UK. She is a member of Manchester Camerata and the BBC Philharmonic and is Project Leader at Special Virtuosi.

In 2015 she co-founded the Vonnegut Collective and continues to nurse a passion for free, exploratory and performer-led music-making. Also interested in music as a therapeutic and educative tool, Gemma regularly leads and assists on learning and community projects. She teaches the violin at the University of Manchester and freelances with Royal Northern Sinfonia, Manchester Collective, Manchester Baroque and other chamber ensembles across the UK.

Her debut album ‘Missing Pieces | part 1 (me)’ is out now on efpi records.

“Gemma’s exploratory, thorough and thoughtful artistic practice is concerned with music as a communicative, shared phenomenon.” Tullis Rennie, composer

Richard Jones – piano

Richard Jones is a pianist, improviser and composer based in Manchester, UK. Growing up in a musical family exposed Richard to a broad range of styles and his career reflects that; studying classical violin before focusing on the piano with jazz and improvisation.

After years of playing for other artists’ projects, Richard has recently formed his own trio with Joshua Cavanagh-Brierley and Johnny Hunter. His playing has been described as ‘achingly lyrical’ by All About Jazz and London Jazz News have noted his ‘scintillating piano inventions’.
 

He has toured the world with the award winning Beats & Pieces Big Band and can be seen regularly with groups such as Nishla Smith Quintet, Emma Johnson’s Gravy Boat and Graham South Quartet. He has also been involved in crossover projects with Manchester Camerata and Manchester Collective.

‘the very best in Manchester's new talent’ Manchester Jazz Festival

Amy Jolly – cello

Amy Jolly is an inquisitive and busy freelance cellist based in Manchester. She is a member of Playdates with violinist Gemma Bass and Bonjour Claude with composer Ellen Sargen. Amy has performed with Psappha, Riot Ensemble and UPROAR and has been involved with CoMA Manchester since its revival in 2020. Amy is a PhD candidate at the Royal Academy of Music, supported by the Richard Stapley Foundation and RAM. Her research activities have resulted in eight new pieces for solo cello, based on a theme by Benjamin Britten. Amy has performed as a principal player with BBC Philharmonic, Opera North and Birmingham Royal Ballet. She has spent this season touring Cinderella with Opera North Learning with accordionist Miloš Milivojević playing at venues such as Stoller Hall, The Lowry and Howard Assembly Room. Amy is a recipient of the Charles Halle Award and the Dame Gillian Brown Scholarship, and has received support from the Royal Society of Musicians, Britten-Pears Foundation and Help Musicians UK.