Filed under: Artist Profiles, Brass Instruments, Live Events, News, Uncategorized | Tags: "Making Whoopee"., "Winchester Cathedral, Acker Bilk, BOB DYLAN, Bob Kerr, Chris Barber, Dame Edna Everage, Earls Court London, Kenny Ball, Lionel Bart, London Palladium, London Weekend Television, Lonnie Donegan, Manhattan Transfer, Max Wall, Music-parts UK, New Vaudeville Band, Peter Cook & Dudley More, Peter Pollard, Philharmonic Hall in St. Petersburg, Pollard trumpets, Ralph McTell, Roger Daltrey of The Who, Russia, The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Temperance Seven, Top of the Pops, Whoopee Band
The WHOOPEE BAND have performed on stage and TV in most European countries, had their own 45 minute TV show in Germany, not to mention their very own TV series for London Weekend Television in the 70’s, it was called “Making Whoopee”. They have worked with many leading stars including Lionel Bart, Peter Cook & Dudley More and Max Wall. They have toured with Ralph McTell, Manhattan Transfer and many more.
Such is the bizarre nature of this outfit they not only play Theatres and Festivals all over Europe and beyond, they even played at the legendary BOB DYLAN concerts in Earls Court London in the late seventies and when Roger Daltrey of The Who got married they even played at his wedding. The WHOOPEE BAND have appeared in concert at the Philharmonic Hall in St. Petersburg, Russia and in Denmark with Dame Edna Everage …………in various concerts with Chris Barber, Kenny Ball, Lonnie Donegan and Acker Bilk plus many many more………If Musicians are have a “do” who do they book?
Bob Kerr served his “apprenticeship” with such bands as The Temperance Seven, The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and the New Vaudeville Band………….. Remember “Winchester Cathedral” ? well it was Bob who was chosen to sing this song through that now famous megaphone on Top of the Pops and the London Palladium to The Ed Sullivan Show in New York and most of the world all those years ago.
Bob has been running his WHOOPEE BAND since the late sixties. In this time the band have made many LP’s, CD’s, singles and Video’s and appeared in several major films.
Bob and the Boys regular travels over the last few years have taken them to Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, The Faro Isles, Iceland, Italy, Russia, Spain and of course Great Britain, playing Theatres, Music Festivals, Clubs and making regular appearances on TV in many countries (including Russia where their show was seen by 280 million people) .
Filed under: Artist Profiles, Live Events, News | Tags: "unifying efforts toward peace in the Middle East"., 1st Class, Austrian Honorary Cross for Science and the Arts, Carlos Kleiber, Claudio Abbado, Clemens Hellsberg, Commander of the French Foreign Legion, Daniel Barenboim, Ernst von Siemens Music Prize, Georges Prêtre, Herbert von Karajan, Lorin Maazel, Mariss Jansons, Musicparts UK, New Year's Concert, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Peter Pollard, Pollard trumpets, Riccardo Muti, Seiji Ozawa, The Vienna Philharmonic, Zubin Mehta
The Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert 2010 will be conducted for the second time by the French conductor Georges Prêtre. Philharmonic Chairman Clemens Hellsberg stated that the decision was made “in recognition of our many years of collaboration and Prêtre’s extensive experience with this genre.” The success of Prêtre’s debut at the New Year’s Concert 2008 “was for both conductor and orchestra very gratifying.”
Georges Prêtre has been honored several times for his artistic achievements in his home country and also in Austria. In 2004 he was named a Commander of the French Foreign Legion and in the same year was awarded the Austrian Honorary Cross for Science and the Arts, 1st Class.
Since 1987 the conductors of the New Year’s Concert have alternated yearly. Herbert von Karajan conducted in 1987, followed by Claudio Abbado (1988 and 1991), Carlos Kleiber (1989 and 1992), Zubin Mehta (1990, 1995, 1998, 2007), Riccardo Muti (1993, 1997, 2000, 2004), Lorin Maazel (1994, 1996, 1999, 2005), Seiji Ozawa (2002), Nikolaus Harnoncourt (2001, 2003), Mariss Jansons (2006), Georges Prêtre (2008) and Daniel Barenboim (2009). In 2010 Prêtre returns to the podium of the New Year’s Concert for the second time.
The traditional Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert on January 1, 2009, was conducted for the first time by the Argentinean-Israeli pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim. This all-round musician, who debuted as a pianist with the Vienna Philharmonic in 1965 and conducted the orchestra for the first time in 1989, combines his musical abilities with ideas and gestures which give his work significance beyond the concert hall. Among the many awards Barenboim has received was the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize in Vienna in 2006, where the foundation’s board of trustees noted his “unifying efforts toward peace in the Middle East”.
Filed under: Live Events, News | Tags: aerodynamicist, American Indy Racing League, ‘Audience Favourite’ award, Barry Wordsworth, Billy Mayerl Jazz Bursary, Cadogan Hall., Classic FM, Dolphin Music, Dominic Piers Smith, Dvorak’s Symphony No.9, Edinburgh Festival, Eivind Gullberg Jensen, Ferrari Formula One, Festival Hall, Formula One Racing, From the New World’., Honda Formula One racing team, Imperial College, Indianapolis 500, Juan Pablo Montoya, Liebestod, London Philharmonic Orchestra, LPO, Martin Roscoe, Mike Ketley, Noriko Ogawa, Outstanding Amateurs, Peter Pollard, Pianists’ Competition, Piers Lane, Rachmaninov’s 2nd Piano Concerto, racing car designer, Raymond Gubbay, Southbank centre., Southwark Cathedral, St John's Smith Square, Teenage Cancer Trust, Trinity College, Trinity College of Music in London, Tristan und Isolde, Valentine’s Day concert, Wagner’s Prelude, Wigmore Hall, Yamaha music, Yamaha Orchestral, Yamaha Piano
Following professional recognition as the most outstanding amateur classical piano talent in the UK, Formula One racing car designer Dominic Piers Smith has now realised his dreams to perform with a world-class orchestra at London’s prestigious Royal Festival Hall at Southbank centre.
Presented by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Raymond Gubbay in association with Yamaha, Dominic will perform Rachmaninov’s 2nd Piano Concerto with the Orchestra conducted by Eivind Gullberg Jensen on Saturday 14th February 2009 at a special Valentine’s Day concert.
The evening will also feature the Orchestra performing Wagner’s Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde and Dvorak’s Symphony No.9 ‘From the New World’.
Last November saw the 32-year-old Oxford-based aerodynamicist winning the final of the acclaimed ‘Pianists’ Competition for Outstanding Amateurs, presented by Yamaha and Classic FM at Cadogan Hall.
Dominic wowed a heavyweight panel of classical judges comprising international artists Noriko Ogawa, Piers Lane, Martin Roscoe and Barry Wordsworth with his dynamic and expressive performances of music by Debussy and Chopin. He was also voted winner of the prestigious ‘Audience Favourite’ award, by the sold-out capacity audience at the event.
Dominic Piers Smith is a remarkable young man who, when he isn’t playing the piano, can be found working as team leader for the aerodynamic design group at the Honda Formula One racing team in Brackley, Northants. Music took a back seat while he studied aeronautics at Imperial College, later collaborating with the Ferrari Formula One team and then progressing to aerodynamicist for the American Indy Racing League cars. His first design won the prestigious Indianapolis 500 at the hands of Juan Pablo Montoya. He has now been with Honda for 7 years.
Having taken up the piano at the age of 6, Dominic won a scholarship two years later to study at Trinity College of Music in London where he continued until A-levels. During this time he performed regularly as a soloist and accompanist and won many awards for performance, including the Billy Mayerl Jazz Bursary. The culmination of his musical activities during his studies at Trinity was his performance of Tchaikovsky’s Second Piano Concerto at the Royal Academy of Music. Dominic also performed at Southwark Cathedral, Wigmore Hall, the Edinburgh Festival and St John’s Smith Square during his years at Trinity College.
Unique to the UK, the Yamaha ‘Pianists’ Competition is now established as the most significant biennial event of the musical calendar for outstanding amateurs. The scheme provides a high profile, professionally produced showcase for the country’s most passionate adult amateur classical and jazz piano players and assists them in reaching new levels whilst promoting piano repertoire and piano playing to new audiences. The concert also raises funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Dominic Piers Smith told us, “The opportunity to play a concerto with the London Philharmonic Orchestra is, quite literally, a dream come true – and a long way from the living room for someone like myself! Winning ‘The Pianists’ competition has made this possible and exceeded all my expectations. I was extremely honoured just to find myself playing the music of two masters of the keyboard – Debussy and Chopin – in the final in front of a capacity audience at such a prestigious venue as Cadogan Hall – and on a world class Yamaha concert grand piano! Now I’m looking forward to performing at the Royal Festival Hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra – I can’t quite believe it!”
Yamaha’s Senior Director, Mike Ketley comments, “For exceptionally talented amateur pianists like Dominic, the chance to perform with the London Philharmonic Orchestra would otherwise be impossible. There are many competitions for young, up-coming pianists, but ‘The Pianists’ scheme is unique in that it offers a real performance platform for talented adults who play for the sheer love of it. Yamaha strongly believe these people deserve a wider audience and the opportunity to fulfill their dreams by playing at a prestigious concert venue in London.”
The concert will commence at 7.30pm and ticket prices start at £12.50. Further information is available from Southbank Centre’s Ticket Office on 0871 663 2500 or by visiting www.southbankcentre.co.uk.
http://www.thepianists.co.uk
Filed under: Live Events | Tags: 606 Club, BBC Jazz Awards, Best vocalist of the year, British Jazz, Claire Martin, Europe’s finest Jazz guitarists, Ian Shaw, Jazz guitarists, Jazz Journal, Jazz singer, Jim Mullen, London Jazz Scene, Milestone, Peter Pollard, Yamaha Music UK, Yamaha Piano
Ian Shaw is widely regarded as one of Europe’s great male jazz vocalists. Named Best Vocalist of the year twice(!) at the BBC Jazz Awards, Ian is a huge talent with the most engaging personality and an ability to make every song his own. At the same time nobody slips more happily into rattling bebop with warmth, intelligence and swing. Described as “the voice of the decade” it is not by chance that he was the first British Jazz vocalist to be signed to an American label, Milestone, which resulted in a number of highly acclaimed US recordings. Claire Martin is one of the finest jazz vocalists to have come from this country in the last thirty years. Variously described as “…the outstanding voice of her generation” and “…a born musician” this award winning Internationally acclaimed artist has no less than four British Jazz Awards, 11 albums, including numerous “Best Album” choices, and a host of high profile admirers to her name. She has had considerable success on both sides of the Atlantic and is held in the highest esteem by just about everyone on the World Jazz scene. With her husky, perfectly controlled, voice, flawless time and impeccable taste she never fails to impress and surprise. Ian and Claire are great friends and have been performing their brilliant show together for some years now, but given that it’s Xmas (well, almost!) expect something just a little different. Ian and Claire’s Special Guest will be Jim Mullen, one of Europe’s finest Jazz guitarists. This promises to be a night of mirth, merriment and outstanding musicianship. Booking essential.
“Claire Martin…a meticulous blend of brilliant material and flawless craftsmanship New York Observer
“Claire Martin….blessed not only with a wonderful voice but also the rare ability to use it with style, intelligence and wit” Jazz Journal
“Claire Martin….the real deal, a talent with skill, imagination, maturity and presence” LA Times
http://www.clairemartinjazz.com/
“Ian Shaw….one of the scene’s class acts..” The Guardian
“Ian Shaw…..our finest Jazz singer” Time Out
“Shaw…an eye-watering vocal range and bucketloads of soul” BBC http://www.ianshaw.biz
606 CLUB – SUNDAY 14TH
Filed under: Live Events | Tags: Dolphin Music, Endellion, Ensemble 360, European Chamber Music Academy, Heath and Navarra Quartets, Jane Manning, Norway’s Vertavo Quartet, Peter Pollard, RNCM
The line-up of performers is also suitably European, with visits from Norway’s Vertavo Quartet and a number of ensembles from the European Chamber Music Academy. Festival favourites the Endellion, Heath and Navarra Quartets are joined by Ensemble 360, Jane Manning and a range of RNCM student ensembles, together presenting a weekend of recitals, masterclasses and lectures that celebrate the extraordinarily rich musical legacy of this remarkable city. We’re also fortunate to be joined by some of the country’s leading luthiers, bow makers and music retailers who will be exhibiting on the RNCM concourses throughout the Festival.
Festival Information:
Date – Thursday 8 January 2009 – Sunday 11 January 2009
Filed under: Live Events | Tags: Ai No Corrida, Aretha Franklin, Bruntwood Theatre, Clarinet, Count Basie, Dolphin Music, Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough, Fly Me To The Moon, Frank Sinatra, Handbags and Gladrags, Jazz, Michael Jackson, Mike hall, Miles Davis, Peggy Lee, Pete Long, Peter Pollard, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, RNCM, RNCM Big Band, saxophone, Stereophonics
Mike Hall director
Pete Long clarinet
With a musical career that has spanned six decades, Quincy Jones has earned his reputation as a renaissance man of American music. Bandleader, solo artist, songwriter, producer, arranger, and film composer, his phenomenal CV reads like a who’s who of contemporary music – Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Michael Jackson, Peggy Lee, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin all feature.
Tonight the Big Band takes a trip through Quincy’s impressive back catalogue in the company of clarinettist Pete Long, whose dulcet tones feature so prominently in the Stereophonics’ version of Handbags and Gladrags (aka the theme from The Office). Along the way, they’ll revisit such classics as Fly Me To The Moon, Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough and Jones’ own fabulous disco stomper Ai No Corrida!
Event Information:
Date & Time – Friday 12 December 2008 7.30pm
Venue – Bruntwood Theatre
Ticket Price – £16, £14, £12
Concessions – Concessions Available
Genre(s) – Jazz
Filed under: Live Events | Tags: RNCM, Haden Freeman Concert Hall, Dolphin Music, flute, Percussion, Peter Pollard, Joglaresa, Jeremy Avis, Mick Sands, Bodhran, Jean Kelly, Clarsach, Clare Saleman, Nyckelharpa, Tim Garside, Dulcimer
Belinda Sykes voice, bagpipes, director
Jeremy Avis voice
Mick Sands voice, flute, bodhran
Jean Kelly clarsach
Clare Salaman fidel, nyckelharpa
Tim Garside percussion, dulcimer
Want a rest from ‘too much tinsel’ syndrome? This concert definitely fits the bill, with ancient and spell-binding Christmas songs ringing with echoes of winter pagan festivities.
Together with Irish harpist Jean Kelly, Irish/ Geordie singer Mick Sands and string player Clare Salaman, Joglaresa perform a whole host of vibrant traditional and medieval carols and songs. From ‘dark’ ancient English songs, including variations of the Corpus Christi and Falcon carols and The Burning Babe, to the group’s own re-workings of better-known carols such as The Coventry Carol, The Wexford Carols and the Irish air and hornpipe Christmas Eve, this unique ensemble is sure to be the perfect alternative Christmas night out.
Event Information:
Date & Time – Thursday 11 December 2008 7.30pm
Venue – Haden Freeman Concert Hall
Ticket Price – £15, £12
Concessions – Concessions Available
Genre(s) – Folk, World Music
Associated links:
Visit the Joglaresa website
Filed under: Live Events | Tags: Danwood, Die Fledermaus, Dolphin Music, Johann Strauss, Liberty Living, Peter Pollard, Prince Orlofsky, RNCM, Rosalinda, The Bat, Viennese, Waltz King
This sparkling masterpiece, by celebrated ‘Waltz King’ Johann Strauss the younger, premièred on the Viennese stage in 1874. Die Fledermaus (The Bat) is a brilliantly clever commentary on Viennese moral laxity, cloaked in sparklingly tuneful music that made it an instant hit – by the end of the decade it was playing in some 170 theatres. On paper the plot is complicated to the point of unintelligibility, but on stage this tale of infidelity, mistaken identity and excessive champagne consumption is a brilliant piece of music-theatre.
The plot, in which Rosalinda’s ex-lover, Alfred is mistakenly jailed, reaches a head at a society ball arranged by Prince Orlofsky to offset his boredom. Never mind the story though – just lose yourself in the beauty of the music, and let Strauss uplift you into a frothy world of champagne-fuelled 19th century Viennese society that’ll make you want to leap up and join in the dancing. Tickets sell fast so don’t miss this hot pre-Christmas ticket.
2 December sponsored by Danwood
4 December sponsored by Liberty Living
Festival Information:
Date – Tuesday 2 December 2008 – Saturday 13 December 2008
Filed under: Live Events | Tags: 606 Club, All-Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group, Calum Gourlay, Classic FM, Dolphin Music, Gwilym Simcock, Iestyn Jones, Jason Rebello, Jazzwise, John Randall, Julian Joseph, Peter Pollard, Rick Simpson, Ruby Wood, www.yamaha-music.co.uk, Yamaha endorsees, YAMAHA NEW JAZZ SESSIONS, Yamaha UK, Yamaha- Classic FM, Zem Adu
CD LAUNCH** featuring the **YAMAHA-CLASSIC FM JAZZ SCHOLARS**. Earlier this year an initiative involving Yamaha UK in partnership with Classic FM, supported by Jazzwise magazine and the All-Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group, resulted in an acclaimed three-year scholarship programme which offers financial support with performance and recording opportunities to a new generation of young jazz musicians. Six of the major Music Colleges chose one performer from each of their Jazz courses to participate in this scheme and the resultant winners performed an impressive concert in the Atrium annex of the House of Commons earlier this year. As part of their Scholarship Award the six successful musicians also got to record their own groups to be presented on a brand new CD and it is this CD, the “YAMAHA NEW JAZZ SESSIONS”, that we are launching tonight. As well as these excellent young performers the CD also features some of the UK’s finest International artists, including Yamaha endorsees Julian Joseph, Gwilym Simcock and Jason Rebello. The gig tonight will feature the six young Award winners, who are: Calum Gourlay (bass); Ruby Wood (vocals); Zem Adu (sax); Iestyn Jones (bass); John Randall (drums) and Rick Simpson (piano). They will perform a mix of original material and classic jazz standards in various formats, with their own bands as well as with each other, in a programme that promises to be both innovative and exciting. And expect some surprise guests along the way! The CD itself, incidentally, will be cover-mounted on the December/January issue of Jazzwise magazine, who are supporting this initiative and have kindly donated some free copies for the evening. This is a unique gig and a wonderful opportunity to catch up on the next generation of young players. Not to be missed. This gig and the Scholar’s programme it encompasses are part of an ongoing commitment to the UK Jazz scene from all the parties involved, with special mention going to Yamaha UK. Yamaha have done much in recent times to support not only grass roots Jazz, with assistance to venues such as the 606 Club, but have also instituted an impressive support programme for the teaching of Jazz across the spectrum of ages and abilities. For more information on Yamaha’s various programmes see their web site at www.yamaha-music.co.uk .
