Everybody knows that there’s no clarinet like a nice shiny, freshly-polished metal clarinet. And I’ll be getting plenty of use out of mine this summer with all the wonderful outdoor gigs I’ll be playing with The Jelly Roll Jazz Band. So I’ve been taking advantage of the cold winter months (when outdoor gigs are mercifully …
The other week I had a delightful time performing with pianist extraordinaire Jack Mitchell Smith for a wedding in Tabley House (near Knutsford). But if you don’t believe me, I HAVE EVIDENCE! Here are some videos taken from our performance on the day, as well as a couple of clips from our rehearsal: There’s …
The weather may be getting decidedly chilly – yes brrrrrrrr – but I’ve got the perfect thing here to make you feel all warm and glowing like some sort of lantern! It’s a newly-released track by the Mantra Blues Band called ‘Vem Comigo’ (which translates as ‘Come With Me’), and I was fortunate enough to …
I’ll readily admit that I’m a little behind the curve with this news, as the aforementioned album was actually released a few weeks ago now. But you know how it is – you’ve been busy, I’ve been busy, etc. etc. At least I got round to it eventually. The album in question is …
In April 2020 I made a very important promise to the world, and now, almost exactly 2 years later, the time has come for me to fulfil that promise! In my post ‘Transcription Tuesday But On A Wednesday: ‘Shreveport Stomp’, Omer Simeon‘ I said that you should look out for me performing said piece with …
People often ask me, “How is it that you produce that exquisite clarinet sound?” Well, here is your answer: I would, however, like to add a few additional points: If at all possible, it helps if the ‘tube’ is in fact a clarinet. It is true that breath is the most important …
Good morning. I’ve got a little something to share with you. It’s a music video, but if you listen carefully with your beady ears you’ll be able to pick out some sweeeet woodwindy sounds oscillating the airwaves. The song is called ‘Papa Guede’, and is a single from the fabulous Topher Holland’s new album ‘The …
Now that Peter Pan-tomime is officially finished (and believe it or not we managed to get through the full 66-show run without a single cancelled performance!) I think it’s high time I made some attempt to publicise it. So here is a selection of piccies I got over the course of my festive season at …
Ahoy tharrr! Shiver me timbers! That’s just a small preview of the kind of banter you can expect to enjoy if you attend Lichfield Garrick Theatre’s 2021 pantomime: All-New Adventures of Peter Pan! And as if that wasn’t enough, you can also expect to hear: Me playing the clarinet. Me playing the …
People sometimes stop me in the street and ask me, “Excuse me sir, do you ever make use of that 1st class master’s degree in chemistry that you got from the University of Durham?” And I am thrilled to say that lately, yes I have, because I’ve been doing some spectroscopy! O.K., it’s technically not NMR …
