Sydney – Monday 18 September 2023. Contemporary British jazz luminary Yussef Dayes will make a triumphant return to the Sydney Opera House in March 2024. Bringing his masterful blend of 70s funk, Senegalese percussion and UK grime to the Concert Hall, Dayes will perform songs from his long-awaited debut solo album Black Classical Music, which was released on 8 September.
The artist, producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist has forged an expansive musical career, beginning with the Afrocentric quartet United Vibrations and the successful duo Yussef Kamaal with Kamaal Williams. Recent releases include the Live At Joshua Tree EP and previous albums like Welcome To The Hills and Love Is The Message recorded live at Abbey Road Studios. Dayes’ collaborations span music and fashion, from the What Kinda Music album with Tom Misch to production for artists like Kali Uchis and Kehlani. His influence has also extended to fashion visionary Virgil Abloh, who chose Dayes to curate and perform for Louis Vuitton events.
“Sit up, take notice and don’t say you weren’t warned – you need to be in the room for this one. Yussef Dayes was THE breakout hit of Vivid LIVE 2022, the whole audience had their jaws on the floor by the harbour as he brought one the freshest, most inventive and exciting sets of music to have graced the city in a long while. “Black classical music” was a description Miles Davis gave to jazz, and Yussef names his brilliant just-released debut album after it, widening his musical frame while deepening the virtuosity. You’ll hear jazz, but you’ll hear structures, sounds and influences from jungle, electronic music, West African grooves and more. He blew us away in 2022, but I think we’re still not ready for what’s going to hit us in 2024. Be there and find out for yourself,” said Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Music, Ben Marshall.
Dayes’ eagerly anticipated solo album Black Classical Music is inspired by themes of family and intergenerational legacy and includes field recordings of his mother, father and daughter. Of the 19-track album, Dayes says:
“What is jazz? Where did the word derive from? Continuing a lineage of Miles Davis, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Nina Simone, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong – music that is forever evolving and limitless in its potential. The groove, its feeling, the compositions, the spontaneity, with a love for family, the discipline and dedication in maintaining the very high bar set by the pantheon of Black Classical Musicians. Chasing the rhythm of drums that imitated one’s heartbeat, the melodies for the mind and spirit, the bass for the core. A regal sound for this body of music.”
Impeccable skill, passion and emotional resonance will collide as Yussef Dayes takes Opera House audiences on a journey of music, inspiration, family and legacy.
EVENT DETAILS
WHO: Yussef Dayes
WHEN: 8pm, Tuesday 5 March, 2024
WHERE: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
TICKETS: From $79 + booking fee // sydneyoperahouse.com // +61 2 9250 7777
Insiders pre-sale: 9am AEST, Tuesday 19 September
What’s On pre-sale: 9am AEST, Wednesday 20 September
General Public On sale: 9am AEST, Friday 22 September