The Grand Union Orchestra’s repertoire is drawn largely from a series of themed shows, with usic by Tony Haynes, that we have toured since 1984. We have released 10 albums since our 1986 debut, The Song Of Many Tongues; many of the recordings are based on live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, remixed and mastered for CD.
The Song Of Many Tongues
RedGold Records, 1986
Our critically-acclaimed debut album, featuring musicians from Ghana, South Africa, Chile, Trinidad and the USA, together with musicians from the British Isles.
The music, written by Grand Union’s composer/director Tony Haynes, belongs within the generous spirit and tradition of jazz, celebrating the richness and diversity of musical and other cultures which make up multicultural Britain.
I Live In The City
By The Waters Of Babylon
Guinea Corn
Dolce Catalunya
Ballad of William L. Moore
Hymn for the Homelands
Spidertown
Love That Day
FREEDOM CALLS
RedGold Records, 1989
Set to lyrics by writers from Jamaica, South Africa and Chile, Freedom Calls is about the struggle for liberty in different parts of the world, throughout history, with particular reference to South Africa under apartheid.
The Grand Union Orchestra brings a broad sweep of international talents together in one band. There are musicians from every continent playing a wide variety of instruments, some exotic, some familiar.
Ça Ira
Worksong
Thank God I'm Free
Santiago De Chile
Song Somewhere Near Roma
Santiago Continued
Can't Chain Up Me Mind
Silence Is Consent
Freedom Calls
No More Apartheid!
The Rhythm Of Tides
RedGold Records, 1997
A musical adventure “through seas never navigated before”, inspired by the epic poetry of sixteenth century Portuguese writer Luís de Camões.
The music is almost symphonic, with melodic phrases, rhythm patterns, musical textures, and harmonic sequences resurfacing and developing through the album.
Featuring extraordinary musicians from Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and Portugal alongside the regular Grand Union Orchestra members from the UK, China, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia, and St Lucia.
Fado Mudança Da Maré
Cano
A Trova Lusiada
O Céu, A Terra
Rivermouth
Rag Mumbai
Depois O Bosque Se Fez Barco
As Colunas De Madrugada
A Country Conscript
Song Of Reconciliation
Music At Last
Now Comes The Dragon’s Hour
RedGold Records, 2002
Whisper Me Wish
Mirage
Invocation
Notun Desh, Notun Jiban
Sujala Sufala
Rimjhimamim
The Flame Of Love
Notun Jiban Ekti Notun Desh
Nadir Srote Ektaratir
When We Left / The Song Of Displacement
The Bird Of Heavenly Bells
The Quest Of The Dragoness
A New Dawn Break
Now Comes The Dragon's Hour
Undream’d Shores
RedGold Records, 2015
A Thousand Thousand Journeys
Eleggua Chant
I Live In The City
Rag Kafi, Pt. 1
Rag Kafi, Pt. 2
The Four-Loom Weaver
Riding The Iron Tiger
The Great Sea
The Iron Tiger Sharpens Up
A Basin Of Riches
Yémanjá / Song Of The Fishermen
Jémanjá Instrumental
Mister Never-Smile
This Strange Land
By The Waters Of Babylon
Babylon Revisited
Deep in The Delta
Red Soil
If You Should Fall
Salsa Eleggua
If Paradise
RedGold Records, 2011
Song of the Song of Songs
Instrumental Interlude
The Notes of Perfume
Paradise Awaits
The Song of Separation
Chaeridike Aj
Collateral Damage
The Perfumes of Paradise Blues
The Radiance of a Thousand Suns
Around the world in 80 minutes
New Day
Kwela
Mexe Mexe
Verdianinha
Piri Piri
Ibrahim Balde
Bamba Bodjan
Baya Hamba
African Market Place
Halay
Yemen
Yagmar Yagar
Nagin Been
Pani Hari
The Great Ambush
Cachapari
Tamia
Ciao Baby Samba
Feelin' Nice
Ol' Lady