World-famous violinist NIGEL KENNEDY joins Polish jazz band KROKE at The National Concert Hall On Wednesday 27 July 8pm, the best-selling classical violinist of all time, Nigel Kennedy joins Polish jazz/klezmer band Kroke at The National Concert Hall for a unique performance to inaugurate the first Polish Presidency in the EU. Kroke (which is Yiddish for ‘Krakow’ their home town) plays original compositions based on the traditional Jewish melodies of East-Central Europe and the folk music of the Balkans. They also draw on the resources of classical music and jazz. Kroke play beautifully. They have a very natural way of playing, with great invention and great heart. There is an unbelievable pathos and truthfulness in the music. They're mad people, but it is brilliant music so said Nigel Kennedy. Kennedy is famed for his debut recording of Elgar’s Violin Concerto but more particularly for his recording of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons with the English Chamber Orchestra in 1989 which sold over 2 million copies. That recording also earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the best-selling classical violinist of all time. After 1991, Kennedy took a step back from his highly publicized performance life only to return to the concert platform some five years later. In 1997 he received an award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music at the BRIT Awards and in 2011 received ‘Male Artists of the Year Award. In September 2002, Kennedy was appointed Artistic Director of the Polish Chamber Orchestra, a role the late violinist Lord Menuhin once held. In 2007, together with the orchestra, he recorded Polish Spirit; winner of numerous awards the world over. Kennedy's 2009 release A Very Nice Album was recorded by The Nigel Kennedy Quintet, made up of the violinist and four of the most dynamic musicians on the Polish jazz scene. Nigel Kennedy recently founded a new sensational group Orchestra of Life consisting of vibrant young (mainly Polish) musicians. However it was in 2003 that Nigel Kennedy was joined by Kroke (Tomasz Kukurba,viola; Jerzy Bawoł, accordion; Tomasz Lato, acoustic bass; Tomasz Grochot, drums) to record an album East meets East. Kroke's music is said to ...combine the experiences of classical, folk and jazz music with the traditional music of Eastern European Jews and the klezmer way of looking on the world. As a result of his many accolades, recordings and performances Nigel Kennedy has been recognized as one of the world's leading violin virtuosos with a unique talent, technique and mass appeal bringing fresh perspective to both the classical and contemporary repertoire. This concert is presented by The National Concert Hall in association with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Dublin and is supported by CRH plc and The Sunday Business Post. Tickets: €20, €30, €35, €40 10% discount for Groups of 10 or more. 20% discount for Friends of the National Concert Hall ENDS For further information please contact: Sinead Doyle, Marketing & PR Manager, Tel: 01 417 00 57 / 087 1775334 E-mail: [email protected] .