Cellopickin' with William Jack - Q&A

Cellopickin’ with William Jack

We caught up with William Jack about his recent work, his new album launch, and his upcoming performances, including at our flagship Shoreditch Treehouse series.

“William incorporates his jazz guitar background into an unconventional style of cello playing, delivering cello-pickin' grooves and catchy hooks alongside intimate melodies.”

— Edinburgh Fringe

Catch William performing at Shoreditch Treehouse on 24th September.

William Jack, multi-instrumentalist

“ A joy from start to finish and the perfect way to have a unique night out in London.”

— Review, July 2022

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Lights of Dubai - from the new album 'This Old Cello Box'

“Classical concerts have created some of the most magical live experiences of music for me”

— William Jack

Cellopickin’ - from the new album 'This Old Cello Box'

“DEBUT is an experience that delivers this kind of feel, and I love it! It’s a memorable time.”

— William Jack

William’s new Album, ‘This Old Cello Box’ will be out on 7th October.

Q&A

Have you been involved with/been to Edinburgh Fringe before? 

My home city of Adelaide puts on an incredible Fringe festival every year, so the experience of performing in Fringe events across South Australia certainly helped. This was my first time at the Edinburgh Fringe. It has been a goal of mine for quite a while to try and get involved.

What was the most fulfilling, and the most nerve racking thing about producing the Edinburgh show?

The most fulfilling part for me was simply having the opportunity to share this music live with people. Presenting tunes that redefine the parameters of the cello is a major interest of mine. Any chance to perform and experiment with this idea is incredibly fulfilling to me. 

…Meeting people who connect with this music makes it all worthwhile. I think it's all about trying to create a shared experience. It can be nerve racking to worry about how your performance will come across, but in the end, if you believe and trust in what you're making, and it's true to you, then I think it all fits somehow.

How did you first get into classical cello? 

I'm first and foremost a rock/jazz guitarist and I predominantly listened to that type of music growing up. When I was in the Adelaide Youth Orchestra, the wonderful conductor Martin Butler would incorporate rock song arrangements into various concerts which inspired me during my schooling. 

Once I started studying cello at university my love and appreciation for classical music grew. Classical concerts have created some of the most magical live experiences of music for me, both as a performer and as an audience member. These moments will remain with me forever.

How would you describe your music to people who don’t know much about classical music? 

Good question! When I personally think of classical music I like to imagine someone like Joseph Haydn jamming tunes with mates around a living room, just having fun - really, I imagine something no different to, say, Charlie Parker's weekends! DEBUT is an experience that delivers this kind of feel, and I love it! It's a memorable time. 

I find it very difficult to describe my own music. I know cello is regarded as a classical instrument, but to me it's a cello and the rest is up to the player.

What are you most excited for this Autumn?

I’m very excited to be performing with DEBUT at some incredible spaces in London this Autumn, and I’ll also be heading to the Cork Folk Festival at the beginning of October. 

There’s some terrific concerts I’m going to watch by Abel Selaocoe and Ariel Posen. I’ll also be presenting an ‘East Meets West’ recital and workshop with violinist Laure Chan at the University of Kent and in north-west London. 

Also, my new album comes out on October 7th during the festival, so I think I'll celebrate with a pint of Guinness!

Follow Will: Instagram | Youtube

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