Autumn Updates

Can you feel the crispness in the air? This blog will be taking a look back at the past few months. This summer was filled with great music, learning and new experiences. I will share a few highlights (in no particular order):

I've been playing with excellent vocalist Jenny Smith quite a bit recently. From sunny Sunday Bossa Nova music in Leopold Square, Sheffield to filling the dance floor at Revolucion de Cuba for their 'Big Swing' events in both Sheffield and Manchester, it's been tons of fun.

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It was a pleasure to play this year at Chapel Allerton Festival with oud heavyweight Hassan Erraji and clarinet tycoon Ollie Dover. We had a great crowd and really enjoyed playing through the massive system. I've started to learn some Moroccan Arabic backing vocals (here I am practicing with no mic) and am looking forward to trying it out on our next gig. I also featured a brand new piece of gear on this gig - a foot tambourine to give me a bit of jingle when I play the hi hat with my left foot. 

What a crowd!

I'm proud to report that I have now completed Stages 1-8 of training in Makaton. Makaton is a language programme using signs and symbols to help people to communicate. It is designed to support spoken language and the signs and symbols are used with speech, in spoken word order. I've been fortunate enough to receive the training through my work with Doncaster Community Arts and am looking forward to developing my signing even more in my music workshops!

Chapel Allerton Festival - Photo Claire Flegg

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Earlier this summer, I travelled back to sunny Bagnoregio, Italy with Aeroplanes at Brescia to record a live trio album for the EU Note label at the Tuscia in Jazz Festival 2015. This year we participated in the daily workshops and attended gigs and jam sessions. It was great learning from fantastic Italian drummer Roberto Gatto and spending a few hours each day with a group of drummers talking about jazz and drumming. On top of that we participated in jazz workshops with Aaron Goldberg and Reuben Rogers. I even managed to squeeze in some cooking in between the jazz!

I always enjoy playing at weddings. I do! My function outfit, Up All Night Band has been particularly busy this season and we've had a ball bringing the party wherever we go. We are keeping it fresh with lots of new material and we are keeping the momentum going this autumn with more weddings. Keep em coming please!

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Another relatively new project that celebrates the music of James Taylor has been taking off nicely. Sweet Baby James has had 2 brilliant gigs, one in Halifax, West Yorkshire and one in Abergavenny, Wales. Check out a new addition to my kit in the picture above - some majestic wind chimes! It's so hard not to play them constantly in every song because they sound so nice. I'll keep working on it!

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In other news, I've started taking advanced driving lessons through the Institute of Advanced Motorists and am working towards the advanced driving test. I'm really enjoying the process of becoming a better driver and practicing is a great excuse to get out and about and enjoy everything Yorkshire has to offer. I recommend the lessons to everyone!
As always, please get in touch if you are looking for a drummer, or teacher or anything at all. I look forward to hearing from you!