Loughton, Essex, September 28, 2019 Adrian Cox delighted an enthusiastic audience with his Profoundly Blue show performed with an excellent quartet at Loughton Methodist Church last September. The concert was a fund raiser for the National Jazz Archive but it also raised the spirits of all those entranced by Adrian’s exuberant clarinet playing and charismatic stage personality. The show was designed as a tribute to
Remembering The Lord Hood, Greenwich London pubs have long played an important role in the dissemination of jazz to an eager public, while providing regular work for itinerate musicians, always thirsty for gigs and appreciative audiences. With an enthusiastic landlord at the helm and a regular crowd of knowledgeable fans, the humble public house often served as a more accessible alternative to specialist jazz club
Photo: © Lee Wilkinson www.lwmultimedia.co.uk Royal Festival Hall, July 14, 2019 While the world was celebrating Mankind’s first space trip to the Moon, Rick Wakeman celebrated his 70th birthday with his own unique musical expedition - a Journey to the Centre of the Earth! Normally it is considered best journalistic practice to avoid the use of exclamation marks. But in this case we make an
Half Moon, Putney, June 2, 2019 Happy Guitar was a hit song for Tommy Steele many years ago, but we can experience true happiness, here and now, whenever Albert Lee picks up his favourite guitar and plays the music he loves. It was certainly the case when Albert and his young and gifted backing group arrived at the Half Moon, to play two steaming sets
(Image: © Sergione Infuso/Corbis - Getty) St.George’s, Beckenham, May 4th, 2019 It was a journey to the centre of Rick Wakeman’s heart when he performed a superb concert in a packed church as part of his unique Piano Odyssey tour. The audience cheered and even whistled when Rick played a richly entertaining selection of pop, rock and classic themes linked with jokes, anecdotes and wondrous
The Story of the Blues When the blues came down south to Hastings, it was time to reflect on the origins of the music that made such an impact on 20th century culture and remains a vital ingredient of popular music a hundred years further on down the line. In a multi-media event organised by the Green River Blues Band, the Story of the Blues
02 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Saturday 2nd February 2019 As Jon Hiseman would say: “If you are going to do something, do it properly.” Certainly the tribute concert to the legendary drummer, who sadly passed away on June 12, 2018, was done with all the skill and dedication his memory deserved. Jon’s daughter Ana Gracey organised the event held at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire (February
Wembley SSE Arena, February 25, 2019 When innocently asking Donald Fagan ‘What is a pretzel?’ he smiled and kindly drew an outline of the tasty morsel on my trusty note book. How else would I know a pretzel was a type of baked bread shaped into a twisted knot? Logically speaking, I should have been aware of them on sale on the streets of New
Farewell to a Music Biz Legend “He was funny, witty and charismatic with a heart of gold.” When memories of the late George Kwiatkiewicz were shared by his family at a Funeral Mass held in his honour, it was his daughters Sofia, Isabella and Natasha who best summed up the personality and character of a much loved man. George had worked in the music industry
What Was And What Shall Be Well, that was a hectic few weeks in the run up to Christmas, an event now well past its sell-by date. Hopefully this will excuse the long period of recovery needed by The Raver to get down to business. Okay, we’re back, so now read on! SCRIBBLERS AND PLUCKERS AT PLAY December 2018 began with the legendary music biz
