EMI Classics is proud to present Shhh! the latest Nigel Kennedy Quintet album, which is released on 10 May 2010. With a special guest appearance by Boy George, the album confirms the maverick status and omnivorous musical taste of one of Britain's finest and most unpredictable musicians.

Following his 2008 excursion into the self-penned tracks of the NKQ's A Very Nice Album, Kennedy's latest collection reveals an even more eclectic character. It was recorded at one of rock's fabled residential country studios, Rockfield in South Wales with the Polish musicians which make up the NKQ.

Collaborating on one of the album's outstanding and most surprising tracks is Boy George, an old mate and near neighbour of Kennedy's in North West London who shares his passion for the songs of the late Nick Drake. George's delicate vocal on River Man points to another new direction for Kennedy's music - a gentle chamber pop which brings out the understated lyrical tone in his violin playing. The other songs on Shhh! are all Kennedy originals, ranging from the long instrumental opener, Transfiguration - reminiscent of the fusion-ary flights of John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra - to the dirty funk rock outro Oy! The moods along the way vary from the sparse and desolate calm of The Empty Bottle to the uplifting Silver Lining.

Throughout the Bank Holiday weekend of 29 -31 May, Nigel Kennedy will also be bringing Poland to the Southbank Centre. The weekend extravaganza includes a feast of music, from jazz and klezmer to classical, performed by Kennedy himself and a number of Polish musicians. The weekend features the UK debut performance of Kennedy's own orchestra, the Orchestra of Life; Nigel Kennedy's Chopin Super Group, which celebrates the music of Chopin in a fresh and original way; and Kennedy's exciting World Cup Project, where Kennedy and guests perform a soundtrack to a screening of the 1973 World Cup qualifying match between Poland and England. The Nigel Kennedy Quintet performs music from their new album and each night of the festival features late-night informal jam sessions. There are free activities across the weekend, with breakdancers, Polish food and drink, and workshops. For more information please visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk.