To celebrate the Olympics coming to London’s east end later this month, the Grand Union Orchestra (pictured) will be performing ‘The Golden Highway’ at the Hackney Empire on 18 July. Envisioned by GUO composer/director Tony Haynes, ‘The Golden Highway’ will bring to life the 500 year history of migration and trade through the east end, which has created a cultural melting pot, harbouring dynamic creative communities and continually producing an exciting variety of music.

The music of the GUO incorporates influences from Jamaican, Indian, South African, gypsy and jazz traditions and the band comprises an array of international musicians from many of these countries too: descendants of the migrants who helped shape the identity of London today. Including over 30 musicians the line up features trumpeter Claude Deppa and saxophonists Chris Biscoe and Louise Elliott. For this Olympic occasion, they held a composition competition for pieces based on the12-bar blues form, and have selected 20 to be included in their ‘20-12 Bar Blues’ piece. The main GUO will also be joined by The Hackney Empire Community Choir, Grand Union Youth Orchestra and The Second Generation Band.

For more, go to www.grandunion.org.uk

– Lizy Exell