Soundchecking at the Barbican for tonight’s concert with Yazz Ahmed, Emel, and Rabih Abou-Khalil.
Christmas sound track today provided by Till Brönner
Such a great feeling to be playing with people again today, and a joy to be at Abbey Road.
A little Wyld family effort from early on in the UK’s first lockdown: Homeward. Words by Nona Wyld, music by me. Performed by:
I’ve also just discovered that a gig we recorded earlier in the year is now being shown, as part of the Women of the World festival: watch now!
It’s Bandcamp Friday 😃 I’ve just bought Woolly Mammoth by Dave Manington. Also, When We Were Live by Yazz Ahmed, the live album we recorded on tour in 2018, is available again for this weekend only, so grab it while you can. Listening to it I’m transported to a happier time…
I’m a guest on the National Youth Jazz Livestream tonight, alongside the amazing composer and trombonist Alex Paxton. 18:00 UTC
It’s Bandcamp Friday! Imprint has two new tracks out today. The first is frames For his dreams, the title of which comes from a beautiful Lem Sissay poem, which is written on the outside of the University of Huddersfield’s Creative Arts Building.
The stanza that inspired us:
Let there be peace So storms can go out to sea to be Angry and return to me calm, So the broken can rise up and dance in the hospitals. Let the aged Ethiopian man in the grey block of flats Peer through his window and see Addis before him, So his thrilled outstretched arms become frames For his dreams.
We originally recorded this for Hector Plimmer’s show on Worldwide FM, Soothing Sounds.
Secondly, we’re very excited to release The Sea Witch.
The Sea Witch struggles in an ocean of plastic.
Cecilia was the creative force behind this second one in particular, and she also provided the beautiful artwork for both tracks. (I can’t wait to get my hands on some Imprint merch with her designs on!)
As always on Bandcamp Fridays, around 93% of your purchase goes direct to artists, so your support is gratefully received!
Not only have we got some new Imprint music ready for release this ‘Bandcamp Friday’, I’ve also got a giftcard ready to spend courtesy of a Christmas present. Looking forward to picking up some new music.
A lesser-spotted gig. Look forward to hearing how this one turned out when it streams later in the year.
Jazz to be dropped from A Level Syllabus, meaning they now also have no black composers to study at all. Seems like a big backwards step.
Today I went to unfollow someone on Twitter, whose Tweets appear on my timeline on a daily basis. I discovered I’m not following them at all. Twitter suggests them to me every single day even though I don’t interact 🤷🏻♂️
Currently, there’s no provision for touring musicians in the UK government’s withdrawal agreement. This probably means visas & work permits required, a level of paperwork and cost that would shut down all but the biggest tours.
If you want to help, please sign this petition.
My music is also available on Bandcamp - Scarborough Fair and Subterranea. The Music page of my site showcases the many albums I’ve been lucky enough to record on, and they’re almost all on Bandcamp. Can you tell I love Bandcamp?
It’s Bandcamp day again! Inspiring to sit and watch the purchases roll in on their home page. People still buy (and value) music! If you’re looking for recommendations then try Mary Halvorson’s Artlessly Falling, or Golden Age of Steam.
🎵 London Jazz Festival livestream tonight at 8pm GMT with Yazz Ahmed. We’ll be playing at Kings Place; you’ll be in your living room, or kitchen, or bath*, or garden, it’s up to you.
*Bath and electronics combination not actually recommended. Please watch safely.
I take great pleasure in showing my more advanced drum pupils this compilation of Vinnie Colaiuta fills from the opening of the Late Show with Joan Rivers. It gets more and more face-melting as the shows go by…
The London Jazz Festival continues online. I recorded a set with Sam Eagles’ band Spirit, which is streaming tonight from 6pm GMT. Free to tune in!
First gig in 245 days. Felt pretty good.
Tomorrow is the last chance to hear Yazz Ahmed’s Polyhymnia performed live with the full ensemble, and you can do so from the comfort of your home. Great to finally get to the Sage Gateshead after an 8 month delay. The record was recently voted Jazz FM Album of the Year.
There’s a monster in my kitchen
📷 Journey in Film, highlights from roll #009 | Camera: Olympus OM2n | | Film: Kodak T-Max 400 | | Date: September 2017 | | Location: Little Chalfont, London, Chesham |
I started taking film photos in July 2017, on a trip to Villars-Sur-Ollon in the Swiss Alps. Dave Hamblett, a friend, drummer, and photographer, had enthused me enough to dig out my dad’s Canon EOS 300.
Since then I’ve acquired a few more cameras, and shot many rolls of film. As a musician I’m lucky to travel a lot for work, and have taken my camera(s) with me all over the world.
I’ve shared a few of the photos on Instagram, but most of them sit unseen on a hard drive. I’m going to start sharing highlights from each roll I’ve had developed, under the heading ‘Journey in Film’.
Another amazing recording venue today - this time it was aboard Lightship 95. Formerly guiding ships off the coast of Deal, Kent, in the English Channel, it’s now the home of “Soup Studios”.
More images of today’s recording venue. Beautifully furnished!
