Thing's Ain't What They Used to Be

Ahhh... Clark Terry, one of my absolute favourite trumpet players! I love this clip - absolutely fantastic plunger technique, and so much joy in his playing and his singing.

Forthcoming gigs, E17 Jazz etc.

A couple of interesting E17 Jazz events coming up: tomorrow evening Adam Bishop is playing with his quartet at the Rose and Crown, 55 Hoe Street, starts 8pm.

Then on Saturday evening, there's a Silent Film Night at the Victoria (186 Hoe Street, E17), where there will be live improvised music to a couple of films from the 1920s. Starts 8:30pm and is free entry.

Finally, on Sunday - though not under the E17 Jazz banner - I'll be MDing the John Ongom Big Band at the White Hart, 1 Mile End Road. Featuring Gabrielle Ghray and Barry Vegas on vocals. Free entry, starts 7:45.

Hello Dolly!

I'll be playing in the pit for Hello Dolly! this week, put on by Geoids.

Performances at 7:30 from Wednesday to Saturday, plus 2:30 matinee on Sat, at the London Oratory Theatre, Seagrave Road, SW6 1RX. £13/£10 concs/£6 children.

New sampler

At long last I've got some new music up on my website: a sampler of some of the music I've done in the last.. well, since the previous sampler, really. It includes some stuff I wrote for various film trailers, plus from some short films I scored. Anyway, here it is:



[edit: Player doesn't appear above? Click here instead.]

E17 Jazz - Rachel Musson

This Thursday's E17 Jazz gig is Rachel Musson with her new band - a quintet with a two tenor front line, and features all original material. It's at the Rose and Crown pub on Hoe Street, starts 8:30, £4.

Unfortunately, I'm working that night so probably won't make it :( Sorry, Rachey.

big band gigs

I'll be directing the John Ongom Big Band tomorrow night (Sunday March 23rd) at The White Hart, 1 Mile End Road. Featuring Gabrielle Ghray and vocal trio Toot Sweet. Starts about 7:45pm, entry free!

Then on Wednesday April 9th, I'll be directing the London Swingfonia at The Arts Depot, Finchley. Featuring Harry Martin on vocals. 7:30pm, £16/£14.

E17 Jazz

E17 Jazz is a fairly recent initiative to get some more live jazz happening around Walthamstow. Unfortunately, Thursday nights are a bit busy for me, but I did manage to make it to The Plough the other week to see the Brigitte Beraha Trio, which was really nice - the same line up (vocal, piano, trumpet) as Azimuth, and often a similar mood.

Next gig is (according to the myspace site) Third I, at The Rose and Crown on the 20th (which is different from what it says on the flier), then there's Carlos Lopez-Real at The Plough on the 27th.

Equally important, there's now a jazz football game on Sunday mornings at 11am at Aveling Park, adjacent to Lloyd Park. All abilities welcome!