One week countdown to the Liberation International Music Festival

·        Largest and most diverse event programme yet with Grammy award winners & internationally renowned performers

·        New for 2024 – a theatrical performance using music and words to tell the story of Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore’s early life in Jersey

·        Glastonbury star, Jersey boy, Ruben Maric returns to the island for a jazz programme at Hamptonne

The 2024 Liberation International Music Festival will run from 9 May to 18 May comprising 36 unique events, musical experiences and workshops, welcoming a diverse range of world-class musicians from around the globe to perform alongside local homegrown talent.  The 14 international stars join over 65 performers lighting up the stages using seven unique heritage venues including Hamptonne, Seafield House and St. Brelade’s Church. Alongside the public events open to 2000 festival attendees will be two masterclasses, 28 school workshops and two educational shows with over 1500 children benefiting from the festival.

From Grammy winning jazz artists, internationally renowned classical stars, opera singers, theatre with music and words capturing the dramatic story of artist Claude Cahun, to talented young artists, islanders and visitors are invited to enjoy captivating music in immersive and intimate locations across Jersey.

Newly commissioned for 2024 will be a theatrical performance entitled Reflections celebrating the early life of Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore in Jersey.  Claude Cahun is the most famous Jersey resident most people have never heard of.  A hero in Jersey in the second world war, she created propaganda leaflets and planted them in places the German forces would pick up and read.  Blending the story of the life of Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore before the occupation with a musical soundscape from composers such as Debussy, Boulanger, Gershwin and Joplin, the evening through words and music evokes the spirit of the time and the inner world of Claude Cahun. Channel Islander Flora MacAngus returns home to narrate the words alongside music performed by violinist Harriet Mackenzie, cellist Urksa Horvat and pianist Anna Tilbrook.

Ruben Maric is a “Jersey boy done good”, and after an appearance at Glastonbury, Ruben will return to the island for a jazz programme at Hamptonne on Saturday 18 May. Ruben is playing alongside internationally renowned jazz stars Jason Rebello and Tim Garland. Ticketholders can picnic on the lawn or enjoy seats in the new Great Hall. Ruben originally played in the Liberation Festival as a teenager and was chosen to be a local composer in residence, supported by Music In Action. Ruben commented:

“With the Liberation Festival around the corner I’m really excited to return home and bring with me some of my favourite musicians to showcase what we’ve been working on. Not to mention that it’s a real privilege sharing the stage with Grammy winning Jason Rebello and Tim Garland.”

James Mews, Chairman of Music in Action, added:

“With the final preparations being made, there’s real excitement for this year’s Liberation International Music Festival programme. A huge amount of work has been undertaken to present this unique line up. The theme of mirrors and reflection is particularly pertinent as we mark 80 years since the D-Day landings. It’s a joy to commission works from some of the great composers and artists of our time, as well as have some of our wonderful local performers from Jersey.  If you can only make one thing then come to see Claude Cahun at the Arts Centre – it’s a remarkable story.”

The funds raised through the festival enable Music In Action to enrich and transform lives and the community of Jersey through music including educational outreach, workshops and the Youth Artist Scheme providing a pathway to a professional music career.

Advanced booking is recommended for all of the Festival events and tickets can be purchased through the website www.musicjersey.com or from Eventbrite online.