JULIAN Lloyd Webber will be answering questions, not least his own, when he presents the world premiere performance of his new Bossa Nova band tomorrow at York Racecourse.

"There are a few unknowns about this show," says the cellist, who is more associated with classical works.

"When I visited the racecourse last month, I kept asking where the band would be playing, but no one seemed to know exactly where it would be."

While there is a definite answer to that inquiry - namely follow the signs to Knavesmire - Julian knows he is entering new territory with his cello-led take on the likes of The Girl From Ipanema and Burt Bacharach's The Look Of Love.

"Why am I playing this music? Basically because I love the music," he says. "It's something that's grown on me. I knew a lot of the music years ago but it didn't register until about five years ago when I was given a box set of Antonio Carlo Jobim's music and I just loved it.

"From there I got into the style itself and discovered more bossa nova music, and it was as simple as that. I loved the music and I could imagine playing it on the cello, which I think really suits it."

That opinion has raised eyebrows, and Julian is aware he must overcome preconceptions. For example, in a vox pop of features-desk colleagues asked to describe cello music in one word, they offered 'plaintive', 'mournful' and 'melancholic'. Not words that come to mind when hearing The Girl From Ipanema.

"Firstly, I don't think the cello is limited to being melancholy at all," says Julian. "These pieces work very well on the cello - and some of the bossa nova tunes are quite mellow, so the cello will suit them too.

"You know what I think it might make people do is take the music more seriously. At the end of the day it is sultry and lovely music, and while I don't want it to be too serious, it is absolutely in the right register for the cello."

He warms to his theme. "No one has done a bossa nova project like this. For me, a little bit of tango music goes a long way so I don't understand why people take it more seriously than bossa nova, which I think is more varied."

You can sense Julian's determination to make this project work. "I have faced quite a lot of scepticism about it and that's something that has not left me alone. I've even faced obstacles in putting the band together and faced questions asking me if I was right to do this music but that has made me all the more determined to do it and perhaps bring something new to it."

Initially at least, Julian's Bossa Nova band will be playing in a style faithful to the original arrangements, using a line-up of cello, acoustic guitar, electronic keyboards, percussion, stand-up string bass and flute & saxophone.

"I've bought a fantastic book of hopefully everything Jobim wrote and everything is written down how he wanted it to be - a lot of these composers are specific about what they want," he says.

"We may gradually move it away from that and make it more contemporary, though I'm always wary about using that word, but the electronic keyboards are definitely an element we can make more contemporary, playing around with the chords, like Diana Krall does."

Julian has made only one Bossa Nova recording so far, his rendition of The Girl From Ipanema, which will appear on his next album, Made In England.

"It will sit alongside all sorts of things on there," he says.

"I've written a piece for my wife, Keira's Theme, for cello and computer-programmed keyboards, which I've never done before, and I've also recorded Your Song with Elton John, with Elton playing the piano.

"He was fantastic, very professional. Not a single wrong note! You never know if it will work or if you're going to get on but it went fantastically well."

Julian welcomes the chance to diversify with three new directions on Made In England. "I think it helps me with the pieces I constantly play. Last night Monday I was playing Elgar's Cello Concerto, which I've played many, many times before and that diversity makes it special when you come back to such a piece."

Whereas the audience-performer relationship is set in stone in classical concerts, Julian is not sure what lies in store tomorrow on Knavesmire.

"I have not got a clue! It's an experiment, and I think tomorrow is the hardest setting: when we should be in the corner of a lounge bar, they have put us on at York Racecourse, so that's where we're doing it," he says.

"But if it's a hot night it should be great: we definitely need the sun so we can encourage thoughts of beaches in Rio."

Julian Lloyd Webber's Bossa Nova band, plus British Waterways Wind Orchestra, Durham Gala Theatre Stage School and fireworks finale, Music For A Summer Evening, York Racecourse, Knavesmire, York, tomorrow. Gates open at 6pm and concert runs from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.

Please note, seating is a party-in-the-park arrangement, so bring rugs. Tickets cost £15, concessions £12, on 01642 777778 or on the night.

The first 100 children aged under 16, accompanied by an adult, will be admitted free.

Updated: 09:33 Friday, August 08, 2003