Eclipse Trumpets Trip

Went on a fun trip to the Eclipse Trumpet Factory the other day with my chum, Jake Painter. Both of us are thinking about buying new trumpets and we thought we'd check these instruments out, which seem to be very popular at the moment.

So we drove up the M1 to an industrial estate in Luton where we were greeted by Leigh McKinney, the owner of the company. We were shown in to the testing room (pictured) where freshly made trumpets featuring the various bell options available were laid out on a long bench. These instruments were unfinished (i.e. uncoated) and slightly rough around the edges - they get completed to your specific requirements when you decide to buy one. After a short introduction by Leigh, we were left to our own devices.

They certainly are beautiful instruments! They blew very easily, and had a beautiful sound. Jake and I both liked the Medium Yellow brass bell best (which I think is their 'standard' instrument, and best seller). However they are a little expensive for rush decisions, and I think I'd like to try out some other brands before I buy anything.

One thing I really appreciated was the large room we had for playing in - so often when you go to try an instrument in a shop, you are shown in to a tiny room, often full of stock, with very little acoustic life in it, but that was not the case here at all. I also liked Leigh's very straightforward and helpful manner - strangely not always the case in all music shops.

So I didn't come away with a lovely new trumpet this time, but did get a free Eclipse towel and T-shirt.

Forthcoming gigs and things

I'm going to try using .mac and iCal for my forthcoming gigs - I'm much more likely to keep that up to date than that thing on Myspace... So, here they are (if it works).

Next one is with the Broken Bass Dance Band at Jitterbugs - Stern Hall, 33 Seymour Place, London W1H 5AU - on Wednesday 12th September at 7pm. £10 I think, which includes a Lindy Hop lesson.

Edit: Unfortunately, this gig on the 12th is now cancelled.

Trip to Puglia, Italy

Just returned from a week's holiday in Puglia in Italy. Not quite sure what to do with all my photos because flickr is not letting me upload any more unless I pay :(. Anyway, here are a few of my better ones..

We stayed in a village called Giugianello - this is a view from our roof.

Some of the ceilings in our building were beautifully painted.

Here's our room, as seen from a horizontal position in bed.

Etc.....

One day we rented a boat from Castro and went up and down the coast a bit. Here's a little phone-movie I took when Rachel was driving - the occasional outbursts are when we suddenly got soaked by a wave..

Eileen Hunter at the 606

Had a really nice evening at the 606 Club last night, where Eileen Hunter and her hubby Steve Brookstein were playing. As you can see from the pic, Eileen is the cover girl for this month's 606 flier!

Eileen did two great sets, a mixture of standards and originals from her album. She kindly invited me to play on a few tunes, including the couple that I arranged for her: Black Coffee and My Baby Just Cares for Me. Also sitting in for one was singer Linley Weir, who sang a really lovely up tempo latin song she'd written.

I also very much enjoyed Steve's set in the middle of Eileen's two. He did some soul classics as well as some originals with a small mainly acoustic band. It all had a wonderful off-the-cuff feel which made the whole thing feel very intimate.

Looking forward to their forthcoming gig at the Pizza Express on 28th August..

(Btw if you happen to make a trip to the 606, I do highly recommend the prawns starter.)

how do you like them apples?

I took this picture at the Brent Respect Festival, where I was playing with the Spanner Jazz Punks. I believe this piece was called 'Before Newton'. The festival also featured the world's largest finger painting, and a bunch of people dancing round a maypole.

Also been busy participating in no less than four events at the Leytonstone Festival: playing with the London Swingfonia, Aneesa Chaudhry, the John Ongom Big Band, and at the Loaded Dog jam, which featured the marvellous Dick Pearce on trumpet as special guest.

The gig with Aneesa was with her new group: a kind of mini-big band with rhythm section and four horns. As well as playing trumpet I did the arranging - mostly downsized versions of existing big band arrangements. We also recently played at Pizza on the Park (which was sold out!)

Also been busy writing and producing music for the trailer for Lady Godiva - Back in the Saddle, a forthcoming British comedy. Not sure where or when the trailer will be in the cinemas..

Riamba at the NPG

As it says: Riamba playing at the National Portrait Gallery from 6:30pm on Friday. Please come along!

forthcoming gigs and stuff

Oh dear haven't blogged for ages.. I've been busy playing quite a bit, doing gigs with two different big bands: the London Swingfonia and the Spanner Jazz Punks. Also been doing quite a bit of transcribing/arranging work for a couple of forthcoming projects.

OK, plug #1: Anjali Perin is playing at the 606 tomorrow night, with my wonderful girlfriend, Rachel Musson sitting in on tenor.

plug #2: This Sunday at 7:30pm, the John Ongom Big Band will be playing at the White Hart pub on Mile End Road (map), featuring Mark Jennett and the Toot Sweet trio on vocals (I'll be MDing).

plug #3: Hmmm.. it's a bit weird to plug two different simultaneous events, but also on Sunday evening, my chum Eileen Hunter will be playing at the 606. She'll be there again on 2nd August.

plug #4: 22nd June, I'll be playing with Riamba at the National Portrait Gallery. In the afternoon I think.

Oh blimey that'll do for now.