Acclaimed clarinettist heads to Old Swan Hotel for latest Harrogate International Sunday Series

Mebrakh, a graduate of both the Royal College of Music and the Juilliard School, will perform along with award-winning pianist Kumi Matsuo at the Old Swan Hotel on March 1.

A gifted multi-instrumentalist who can also play the flute, oboe and piano, Mebrakh’s musical versatility has led to him touring Australia with Chineke! and making his US solo debut with Springfield Symphony Orchestra.

Speaking ahead of his Sunday Series concert presented by Harrogate International Festivals, he said: “The act of people from different walks of life, with different lived experiences, coming together to share an artistic moment is both an honour and a privilege.

"I hope the audience in Harrogate leave the hall having discovered new works from a variety of people, places and eras, and that the music resonates as deeply with them as it does with me.”

Asked who he would collaborate with if he could choose any other artist throughout time, Mebrakh said: “Wynton Marsalis and Errollyn Wallen.

"I am deeply drawn to the authenticity and freedom of their works, and to the way they draw on a rich breadth of experiences.”

Joining him on stage for the Harrogate concert will be Kumi Matsuo, an award-winning solo and collaborative pianist, who has performed at major international venues including Wigmore Hall and Tokyo Opera City Hall.

Together they will perform a special programme that includes Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, Saint-Saëns’s Clarinet Sonata, Debussy’s Premiere Rhapsodie, and Clarinet Sonata No.1 by Brahms.

The unique, Sunday coffee morning concerts have been delighting audiences in Harrogate for more than 30 years, connecting them to the joys of live music through virtuoso performances from world-class musicians.

All of the Sunday Series concerts take place at the historic Old Swan Hotel, which provides an intimate setting to enjoy a morning coffee and exceptional music with friends.

Mebrakh Haughton-Johnson and Kumi Matsuo – Clarinet & Piano, Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate, Sunday, March 1, 11am.

To book tickets, visit: harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/event/mebrakh-haughton-johnson-kumi-matsuo-clarinet-and-piano.

Or call the box office on 01423 562 303.