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Uptown Lockdown Show
Check out the Duke Ellington Society UK’s ‘Uptown Lockdown’ weekly show on Wednesdays 5.30-6.30, hosted by Frank Griffith (via Duke Ellington Society UK – Facebook). On 28 April Brian Priestley and I will be special guests talking about, amongst other things, the recording ‘Love You Madly’ we made together with saxophonist/clarinettist (and Jazzpar Prizewinner) Tony Coe to celebrate the centenary of Ellington’s birth. …
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Why improvisation is not an imperfect art
While waiting for the next live performance opportunity – here is my first ever publication in philosophy – where I set out my argument for why improvisation is not an imperfect art, and the genesis of all musical activity. Something to bang your head with while you’re waiting for performance venues to open.
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Uptown Lockdown Broadcast – 10 June 2020
I was delighted to be a guest contributor to UPTOWN LOCKDOWN – a live broadcast by The Duke Ellington Society UK (DESUK). I talked about what Ellington and Strayhorn’s music means to me, what I’ve learnt from the singers like Betty Roche, Joya Sherill, Kay Davis, Sarah Vaughan, Ella, to sing this this inspiring music.
UPTOWN LOCKDOWN is co hosted by Frank Griffith and Antony Pepper, both board members of DESUK on Wednesdays, 5pm UK time. The program discusses matters Ellington and Strayhorn, playing tracks as well as snippets live playing. Consider joining them at the Discord link from
Ellington & Strayhorn with the Frank Griffith Nonet
Louise Gibbs is the featured singer with the Frank Griffith Nonet in this programme of Ellington and Strayhorn treasures. The unusual nine-piece set up punches above its weight giving a powerful big band sound with all the intricate delicacy of distinctive arrangements and solo contributions. With music spanning 1932 to 1966, the programme includes: It Don’t Mean a Thing, Daydream, Satin Doll, Take The A Train, Lush Life and Rhumbop (from Drum is a Woman-1956) as well as Ellington/Strayhorn instrumental classics: Raincheck, Sophisticated Lady, It’s Glory, Chelsea Bridge, I Let a Song So Out of My Heart and …
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President-Elect of the BVA – An honour – and a duty…
If you have an interest in the professional speaking and singing voice then you may be aware of the British Voice Association (BVA). This multidisciplinary organization of professionals (laryngologists, medics, voice researchers, speech language therapists, speech coaches, and singing teachers) exists to share knowledge and the latest research in our fields.
Since becoming a BVA member 20 years ago my singing and teaching has benefitted from the wealth of expertise and knowledge generously shared amongst colleagues and the many courses on offer. I am therefore honored to be elected as President of the BVA from September 2020. My remit is …
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So You Want to Be a Jazz Singer?
To find out the difference between jazz singing and jazz styling, read my contribution to the ISingMag.com blog (well worth the visit and subscription). https://www.isingmag.com/vocal-style-a-beginners-guide-to-singing-jazz/
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Jazz Singing? I try to warn singers off the idea.
But if you still want to be a jazz singer, then prepare yourself to learn not just the tune and lyric to at least 100 songs of the Great American Songbook (eg, My Funny Valentine or Night and Day) but their form, bass lines and harmonies too. You’ll be expected to improvise, of course, sing chromatically high and low, fast and slow. And …
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