Delightful Precipice
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Delightful Precipice is a jazz orchestra 19-piece led by Django Bates. The band was formed in 1991 following the disbanding of Loose Tubes in 1990 and includes many of the same musicians. DP was conceived initially for a collaboration with the Snapdragon Circus. This collaboration was commissioned by The Old Bull Arts Centre, London. In its first incarnation, the band included a string section. This work was performed to sold out audiences in London for a week, and included delicacies such as a bagpipe playing chicken on a piece called "Scotch Egg". The music was mainly inspired by the late Angela Carter's book Nights at the Circus, which in fact was also the title of one of the most impressive pieces.
Since then, the orchestra has played in both the UK and Europe, including important festivals such as the Outside In Festival of Contemporary Music in England, the Wiesen Festival in Austria, and the Birmingham International Jazz Festival.
It has recorded two albums on the JMT Records which are currently released via Winter and Winter.
Delightful Precipice was also the title of a composition that Bates wrote for Loose Tubes. It was the title track of their second album.
[edit] Line Up
Eddie Parker - flute, bass Flute
Sarah Homer - clarinet, bass clarinet
Iain Ballamy - soprano and alto saxophones
Steve Buckley - soprano and alto saxophones
Mark Lockheart - tenor saxophone
Barak Schmool - tenor saxophone
Julian Arguelles - baritone saxophone
Sid Gauld - high trumpet
Chris Batchelor - soloing trumpet
Dave Laurence - french horn
Roland Bates - trombone
Richard Henry - bass trombone
Sarah Waterhouse - tuba
Django Bates - piano, keyboards, peck horn
Steve Watts - acoustic bass
Mike Mondesir - electric bass guitar
Stuart Hall - electric guitar, ciolin, lap steel, banjo
Martin France - drums
Thebe Lipere - percussion
