Thanks to Pliable for reminding us of a name that was big in the 1960s, a very productive period for musical experimentation. Not only was John Mayer a pioneer in Indo-jazz fusion, but he also had a substantial traditional symphonic hinterland, of which I was not aware. How typical of Sir Adrian and of Sir Charles Groves and the Royal Liverpool that they would champion Mayer's work! Pliable concludes his fascinating survey: "Let us hope that this retelling of John Mayer's remarkable story belatedly brings him some of the recognition this ground-breaking musician so richly deserves."
Perhaps studding the 2019 Proms season with works by Mayer would help, following the composer who went the other way, the Indian-inspired Englishman John Foulds? Or at least a Composer of the Week feature?
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