Alert! No, this is not a Government Warning. We just want to let you know about an upcoming summer concert to celebrate the life of saxophone star Barbara Thompson that will be an event, not to be missed and undoubtedly a night to remember. An impressive array of jazz, rock and classical performers will take part in the memorial show, due to take place on
Ana & The Bonzos It might seem like an exciting new concept, but Ana & The Bonzos are not an unlikely tribute band dedicated to Adam & The Ants. They are just two of the star attractions we went to see amidst a whirligig of gigs enjoyed during the mad month of March. First came Ana Gracey performing songs from her critically acclaimed Wicked Games
Rick Wakeman at the London Palladium It was a journey to the centre of Rick Wakeman’s heart and soul, on the historic nights he played two sensational concerts at one of the world’s most prestigious venues, the London Palladium. They came from distant lands to see Rick with a powerful support team including members of the English Rock Ensemble and the English Chamber Choir and
STEVE EGGS BAND at the Sound Lounge, Sutton ‘We are the Music Makers and the Dreamer of Dreams’. That was the philosophical slogan writ large on the wall at the Sound Lounge, one of South West London’s finest venues. But it could also have been the motto of the club’s star attraction, the Steve Eggs Band, performing for the delight of an enthusiastic audience at
A Gallery of the Imagination Rick Wakeman’s musical collaboration with his band The English Rock Ensemble certainly has hidden depths, which incidentally is the appropriate title of the opening track on ‘A Gallery Of The Imagination’ Rick’s latest album release. Imagine this...a collection of songs that might inspire the listener to approach music making in the same way as Mr. Wakeman has set about creating
Books for the Music People Christmas may have come and gone but there is still time to buy presents for your nearest and dearest and those you know slightly in the queue for cat food at Lidl. There can be no greater gift to bestow than a good book, even if it’s only a re-print of the 1939 A-Z map of London, available at all
Ronnie Scott once hailed Phil Seamen as ‘Britain’s Greatest Jazz Drummer’ a man who achieved cult status during his lifetime and inspired generations of jazz and rock musicians including Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones and Ginger Baker of Cream. Phil is also described as a Percussion genius and a Legendary Rebel and Born Raver in a remarkable new book written and published by author
At soundcheck (From left to right) Peter Lemer, Ana Gracey, Phil Mulford & Billy Thompson Wicked Games at the Pizza Express October 9, 2022 It was a sunny Sunday afternoon when Ana Gracey descended the steps down to the Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho, ready to sing her heart out. She was greeted by an audience of fans and friends all eager to hear the
Flying Home! Cadogan Hall London When Lionel Hamptons’s all-American big band stormed into flag waving numbers like ‘Flying Home’ and ‘Airmail Special’ it sent crowds wild with excitement. Never more so, than when the vibraphone king performed at the Apollo Theatre, Harlem in 1962 alongside an all star cast of legendary performers. Could such magical moments ever be repeated? Yes, they could and by a
Photos: Sari Toplek It’s hard to believe a year has passed since we last saw the Steve Eggs Band performing at the Oval Tavern, one of the best live rock music venues in Croydon. But they came back on September 16th, 2022 boiling with energy amidst a bubbling cauldron of creativity. It was in October 2021 that the band celebrated the release of its new
