Heading to VR headsets, mobile, tablet, and set-top TVs in 2026 is a new multi-format live music series: Up Close and... ®

Created by the team behind SoulandJazz LIVE, performances, initially in Jazz, Classical, and Soul featuring original compositions, will be captured simultaneously in both Virtual Reality (VR180) and 4K.

Delivery of content will be aggregated across multiple channels as well as the UpClose.TV website with audio delivered in stereo and various spatial audio formats.

Testing the waters with us earlier this year was the Emily Francis Trio who performed five tracks for the first Up Close and... Jazz.

Emily Francis Trio:

Emily Francis
Yamaha Grand Piano
Nord Stage 2 EX
Sequential Prophet-6

Trevor Boxall
Bass

Jamie Murray
Drums

On Set
Chief Studio Engineer: Mark Gittins
Chief Monitor Engineer: Andrew Lillywhite
VR Director: Paul Yarrow
Director Of Photography: Andy Critchlow
Assistant Audio Engineer: James Hutchinson
Lighting Director: Robb Cartin
Executive Producer: Brian Hurst

Post Production Video
VR Video Editor: Paul Yarrow
Multicam Video Editor: Andrew Critchlow
Additional Graphics: Andrew Critchlow
Stereo, Dolby Atmos & Ambisonic Audio
Mixing & Mastering: Mark Gittins
Intro Composition: @naughtypupmusic

Special Thanks
Ethan Lowry, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Marcus Blight, Sennheiser

Recorded on July 16, 2025 at Eastside Jazz Club,
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham, B4 7XR