Karl Jenkins

The career of jazz musician and composer Karl Jenkins is continually shifting between classical and popular. In his early years he was principal oboist of the youth orchestra of Wales. However, he became interested in jazz to such an extent that the traded his oboe for a saxophone. A commercial tune for Delta Airlnes became an unexpected hit. This sudden popularity inspired Jenkins to compose for the concert hall. One could characterize the style of Jenkins’ oratorios as pop music, but modeled on symphonic music. He can be compared to the ‘classical’ Paul McCartney, although Jenkins has much better grasp of the general structure. The liberality with which Jenkins adapts the ancient Christian texts as he sees fit is also striking, although Brahms, Fauré, Howells and Rutter did the same before him.
(Source: Muziekweb.nl)