So what does a singer and musician write in a blog? Maybe the latest instalment in my career? or how I got here? what I am doing next?....really I don't know.
Let's surmise that you are reading this because a) you already know my background or b) you have fallen across this site because you were bored and you clicked on the link. Either way you probably don't want to know my history so I shall move on to whats happenning now.
January started off with more practice with the Cliff Eland Big Band shadowing Ronnie Walker and looking forward to the Carlisle Jazz Club gig in February. Lots more numbers to learn and lots more individual practice. Solo gigs in Dumfries, Appleby and Millom shook off the Christmas Cob-webs and re-aquainted me with some of my friends and fans.
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| Ronnie Walker |
February saw the Jazz Club gig with the Cliff Eland Band in full 'swing' (am I allowed puns on a blog??) with a really tight line up including the fabulous Roz Sluman guest appearing on tenor sax. Unfortunately I was unable to make the bands next gig at Morton Manor on the 18th as I was appearing at Penrith which meant that I was not able to see Ronnie's last gig with the band. At the Jazz Club, Ronnie said that the next gig would be his last and so that made me the only singer with the band from now on. A tough act to follow, Ronnie had been with the band for a number of years and is a magnificent singer. I wish him the very best of luck and as I know he is now concentrating on his quartet I look forward to seeing him performing around the area.
February was finished with a great duo performance with Andy Mackay in Egremont. An appreciative audience who always make us feel at home. Dave, as always, was on hand to play between our sets in his own superb way on the keyboard. Which rounded February off well.
Well, the end of the first blog. Don't forget to add the page to your favourites and check back regularly to see what is going on.
All the best
Brian James
