Composer and RCS’s Head of MMus J Simon van der Walt will celebrate his 65th birthday this May with a series of concerts showcasing highlights from his life’s work.

Students and colleagues have come together to honour the milestone with performances spanning jazz, experimental music, contemporary classical and gamelan.

J Simon said: “People who are familiar with my work will know that some of my music is quite off the wall! That aspect of my personality will be on show on 4 May when the brass department perform Triwikrama as part of Mondays at One.

“The lineup is slide trumpet, four trombones, gamelan, and a vintage electronic effects unit. The title comes from Javanese mythology, depicting a scene where a character transforms themselves into a many-headed ogre.

“The next piece has one of the best titles I’ve ever come up with: giant flying laser scorpion with wings. It’s being performed by the piano department as part of Mondays at One on my birthday on 11 May.

“No actual scorpions or lasers involved, but there is a nostalgic appearance by an old cassette machine as part of the piece.

“Finally, on 17 May, I’ll be playing trombone in a concert as part of the Glasgow Blythswood Festival featuring two new suites for big band, Between Two Oceans and the Byres Road Suite. Jazz is what got me started as a musician in the first place and is still the closest to my heart.”

Simon says looking back on his composing career at the age of 65 is “interesting”.

“I must have written well over 100 pieces across the years, covering a wide range of genres: contemporary classical, jazz, experimental, electronic, gamelan, and everything in between.

“To be honest, some of the music I’ve written in the past I don’t really believe in anymore: I have changed, and so has the world we live in. On the other hand, at this age, I understand my own musical personality better than ever.

“I’m very happy that so many of my students and colleagues have rallied round to bring together these performances of the best of my work.”

Visit J Simon’s website for more details and ticket links.