“Why do some diseases around the world attract media attention and generous funding for effective treatment, while others equally devastating are virtually ignored? Is it because they are only found in distant parts of the world, or affect mainly poor or marginalised groups? How can this be expressed in musical and dramatic form?”

The project, so the story goes, was suggested by the epidemiologist Elizabeth Pisani, who approached Grand Union’s Tony Haynes – its artistic director and one of its co-founders – with the idea after seeing the band’s Undream’d Shores at the Hackney Empire.

Tony explains the result of that meeting:

“The Grand Union Orchestra is presenting a brand new work for a week-long run at Wilton’s Music Hall [from 13 to 17 June]. Called Song of Contagion, it is funded by the Wellcome Trust, and its theme is the inequality with which disease is regarded around the world – who gets the funding, the treatment, the media attention. A serious subject, perhaps, but a very appropriate one for Grand Union – in this case a 25-strong group of global musicians and singers. It’s been quite a challenge to write, but largely for that reason it’s drawn out of me some of my most imaginative and ambitious music yet.”

And, among the band’s many well-known players, there’s an unexpected, illlustrious surprise.

Tony, again:

Tony explains that Brian is back in London just until the end of July and would love to make contact again with old friends. So, if you want to contact Brian, email tony@grandunion.org.uk and he’ll give you Brian’s phone number. And if you have a gig for Brian while he’s here, all the better!