Live @ The Old Barge
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I have just received 2 cd's in the post from one of the supporters of the Jazz night at The Old Barge in Hertford. I played the venue on the 8th March and had a excellent night. The jazz night is run by John Williams and is very well supported. I was astonished when I recieved the cd's, such a thoughtful gesture to send them. I don't mind people recording or taking VT as long as they ask first. I loved the gig as the band really stretched out which in turn pushed my playing. You can hear 3 of the live tracks by clciking on the arrows under the titles. They are:
All The Things You Are
Stella By Starlight
Time Remembered
The gig was definatly leaning towards a swing gig so I booked Tim Lapthorn on piano, Henrick Jnsen on Double Bass and Marc Parnell on drums:
Website Designer - Maciek Hrybowicz
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Many people having been asking me who's designed my new site so I have included a picture of the designer Maciek Hrybowicz . If you wish to get in touch with Maciek regarding a website build click here . Maciek is also a serious guitarist, you can come down and check his playing along with mine at Macbeth Pub on Wednesday 14th March. We will both playing in John Bennet's Band. John writes all his own music for a Big Band line up.
John's material is very different to most big band's. His music includes theme's with numbers allocated to them. These can be called at any point of his choosing within each piece. In between the themes he allows soloist's to really go wherever they want with a solo. John also fills the band with very different and interesting styles of musician's, but then I'm bound to say that! Here's a picture of his last album cover.
Great night at Pizza Express
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It's been a stressfull week! My keyboard player for Saturday's gig at Pizza Express in Maidstone couldn't make the the gig. His replacement phoned me on Friday telling me she was in hospital! She found out she is allergic to penicillin. However she's out now and is feeling a lot better. So the night before at 11.30pm Jason Silver (Pictured left) stepped in.
He did an amazing job considering he only had time to listen to the tune's, let alone work on them. The Music Room at Pizza Express in Maidstone is a special room to play. It has a fantastic sound system and the audience are very appreciative. Many thanks to my band who all played really well. I look forward to my next gig at this venue. Jason play's with an awsome group called Raiyn check out their my space page.
Pizza Express
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Tickets are available to see my gig this Sat 17th Feb at Pizza Express in Maidstone, Kent. Instead of having a quiet meal (with loads of other couples!) on valentines day, wait and come down and have a pizza and check out the band on Saturday 17th Feb. Look forward to seeing you.
The Grey Lady
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I enjoyed playing at the The Grey Lady in Tunbridge Wells last night. Carlos runs a fantastic Italian resturant with live music on nearly every night of the week. My next gig is going to be down the road at Pizza Express in Maidstone on Sat 17th Feb
Ian ShawGig at Churchill's Sunday 21st Jan 2007
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Just returned home from a great gig at Churchill's in Southend. This is a cool club to play run by Mick Crook, he's booked some great acts this season so if you get a chance go down and check it out.The jazz gigs happen every sunday lunch time. It's only 40mins from London and it starts at 1pm and raps up at about 3.30pm.
R.I.P Mr Brecker
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As you probably know Michael Brecker died last Sunday. I read an interesting article pointing out that it's hard to find a Sax player of my generation not showing an influence of Michael's playing. This I totally agree with, whilst he was not my main influence it is impossible not to admire and love something about each aspect of his playing. It is also a sad reflection on the mainstream media in this country to show such little interest, hence coverage of this man's influence in music.
Unfortunatly it shows that we are offered a very 'middle of the road’ spectrum of what we are allowed to view and hear. Kylie M has a concert cancelled and it makes nearly every paper's front page, Brecker dies and you have to hunt for news.
You may be reading this saying, “Well he plays Sax, he’s bound to say that” The point is, if you don’t inform people they have no chance to learn. Thank you for your wonderful music Michael.
Bad Start!
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Not the best start to have for 2007, after a gig on Sat 30th Dec my sax decided to take on the pavement due to the strap unclipping itself! Unsurprisingly the pavement won so I had to borrow a Sax for the gigs remaining that week. Below is a picture of David Fingerhut who repairs instruments.
He did an incredible (and fast) job with the sax sounding as it did before the damage. Many thanks for your great skilled work David. In the same week I managed to chip a bone in my finger due to football. I shouldn’t play football but it’s great fun and I’ve been doing for years. Luckily I can still play ok. So things can only get better!
The 2nd Album!
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This is the picture I'm thinking of using as my next album cover, what do you think? It was taken by a tour manager who had to deal with my temperamental ‘old skool’ camera, at a recent gig. Mistakes are a beautiful thing.
I've been writing and recording over the last 4 months for my next release. My idea is to produce an album of original music. However I find myself writing more for two instruments.
Don't get me wrong I love the full band thing but there is something special about keeping the group small. You hear so much more texture from each instrument.