The piercing sound of shofar blasts performed by M.C. Michael Mars heralded the start of a wonderful concert by the Joe Atkins Brass Quintet at Kingston, Surbiton & District Synagogue. The quintet, comprising highly talented musicians representing several major orchestras, was brought together by trumpeter Joe Atkins to play specifically Jewish music and pieces by Jewish composers. The hundred and fifty strong audience, a third of whom had travelled from other parts of London and Surrey, packed the shul hall.  The eclectic programme included a highly popular medley of Adon Olam melodies, Avenu Malkeinu and Shalom Aleichem, as well as tunes by Bock, Horowitz, Gershwin, Bernstein, Bart and Sondheim.  

Guest artiste was Kingston’s own Maia Phillips, a student at the Arts Educational School in Chiswick, who entranced the audience with her renditions of both Hebrew and contemporary songs. Anne Lyons, a member of Kingston’s Shul Board, led the organising committee for this highly successful event, which received financial support from the Chief Rabbi’s Centre for Community Excellence.

By Anne Lyons