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23.03.12  With reference to my "Places" project, I am finding that it is very "non internet friendly", in that it is hard to present any movement or progress as it  happens. The concept and project will go on, but I think I will withdraw the website/internet aspect. It looks to me that I just have to present finished work in this case.

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19.2.12  Having just finished a relatively busy spell of gigs I now have time to update the news page, but too late to give you notice of what were interesting upcoming gigs and events. Yes I can see the problem here and I apologise.

Anyway here is the news, I have no news !!! That is not strictly true, but not much in the way of performances open to the public.

Musically, my biggest  news of the moment is that my favourite and best double bass is back in action again after a long rest. For many reasons I have been unable to use it recently. After an exploratory outing on a gig last week I think and hope that he/she/ it  is ok. I hope you will see the two of us together again soon.

My new project  "Citizens of Neutral -Moresnet"  is coming together now and I am so happy to see a direction taking shape.

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1.1.12  I am finally ready to start  two new projects, they are entitled "Citizens of Neutral -Moresnet" and "Places". I am hoping that both of these projects will before long, generate their own momentum and grow into something that I can't imagine now. I have all sorts of ideas for these pieces but I hope they will develop their own lives.

"Citizens of Neutral -Moresnet" is basically a visual art project and "Places" a music based idea, at least that is how they are starting.

I am excited to start these projects and have really missed the amazing feeling of being engaged in such a way, I am not limiting myself in the way I did with "2010 in Music and Art", so no parameters this time. I can't wait to see how they develop in the coming weeks, months and hopefully years. Please click on the titles above to find out more.  

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28.11.11 I'm sorry that I have been unable to update the news page recently. In the storm of life's events my news page has I'm afraid, taken a back seat. I hope I can get back to it, but I will make a decision  in the new year.

I will however soon be starting two long term projects, both of which will keep me occupied for years to come. Please have a look in January 2012,  I think these projects are going to be exciting and enigmatic.

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29.06.11 A last minute gig at the Half Moon, Putney, tomorrow Sunday 31st (1 till 4) with  Dick Laurie and his Elastic Band. One never knows who one will meet on this gig, last week Stan Robinson sat in and played. The last time I played with Stan was for a week at Ronnie Scott's some time in the last century !!!
I have added some photographs of the bass Ukulele taken at this year's Ealing Jazz Festival. You can find them at the bottom of the Photo Gallery page
18.06.11 the next few gigs are
Monday 18th..Epsom Playhouse with Nils Solberg and his Rhythm Boys.
Wednesday 20th...The Archduke,Concert Hall Approach South Bank SE1 8XU with pianist Martin Blackwell, 7.30 till 10. I will play the bass ukulele.
Saturday 23rd...Solihull Arts Complex with Acker Bilk and the Paramount Jazz Band.
Sunday 24th...the Half Moon Putney, lunchtime with the Elastic Band (1 till 4) and then on to a private gig only a stones throw away!!
Thursday 28th..Ealing Jazz Festival a duo with Alan Berry. I play double bass and bass ukulele.
20.05.11 updated 4.06.11 and 13.06.11
Gigs
Tuesday 21st JUNE...the George and Dragon, Thames Ditton with local chaps, Johnny Barnes, Alan Berry and Don Cook.
Wednesday 22nd..The Archduke,Concert Hall Approach South Bank SE1 8XU with pianist Martin Blackwell, 7.30 till 10. I think bass uke on this!
Sunday 26th...the Naturist Foundation Jazz Festival, with Mike Piggott's Quartet. This is my 3rd year playing at this festival and it is always fun. Nudity is optional, it's up to you,  I will however be clothed !!
Tuesday 5th JULY...the Cafe du Marche, Charterhouse Square EC1, Acoustic jazz duo with pianist Mark Ambler, good food (expensive).
Wednesday 6th...the Cafe Du Marche (as above).
Thursday 7th...Banstead Golf Club with among others, Geoff Driscoll, Ronnie Hughes and Jack Honeybourne.
Saturday 9th...Boisdale of Begravia with the Eric Ranzoni blues band. Electric urban blues, I play bass guitar.
Sunday 10th...the Soho Festival, 12 till 2 with the Elastic Band. apparently the bands 31st (year) appearance !!!
Sunday 10th...the South Bank Capital Age Festival (we are on at 5.30ish) is a festival for the old codgers of London; the band of Mike Henry, Bob Hunt, Colin Wood, Dick Esmond and me are all perfectly qualified.
Tuesday 12th...the Cafe Du Marche (as above).
Thursday 14th...Twickenham Jazz Club with Digby Fairweather.
Saturday 16th...charity "Fun Day" at Barn Elms, Barnes with the Elastic Band, 11 till 3. I play double bass and tuba.
Sunday 17th...Sylvie's Place with the Tony Pitt All Stars, 12 till 3.
Monday 18th..Epsom Playhouse with Nils Solberg and his Rhythm Boys.
Wednesday 20th...The Archduke,Concert Hall Approach South Bank SE1 8XU with pianist Martin Blackwell, 7.30 till 10. I will play the bass ukulele.
Saturday 23rd...Solihull Arts Complex with Acker Bilk and the Paramount Jazz Band.
Sunday 24th...the Half Moon Putney, lunchtime with the Elastic Band (1 till 4)and then on to a private gig only a stones throw away!!
Thursday 28th..Ealing Jazz Festival a duo with Alan Berry. I play double bass and bass ukulele.
9.05.11
Gig update
Tonight, Thursday 9th JUNE, a local jazz club run by Carole Merritt, wife of the late (drummer) Al. It is at the Sunbury Golf Centre and features Malcolm Cliff on piano.
Saturday 11th...Boisdale of Belgravia with the Eric Ranzoni blues band (see 22.05).
Tuesday 14th...Cafe du Marche (see 22.05)
Wednesday 15th...Boisdale of Belgravia with  Cousin Alice.
Sunday 19th...the Half Moon Putney, lunchtime with the Elastic Band and special guest  Digby Fairweather.
Apart from that, some private gigs, sorry they're secret.
22.05.11 gigs coming up
I will be playing at the the Ruislip Golf Club Jazz Club tommorow Monday 23rd JUNE...with Vasilis Xenopoulos (tenor saxophone).
Friday 27th...Farnborough Jazz Club with the Tony Pitt All Stars.
Saturday 28th...Boisdale of Begravia with the Eric Ranzoni blues band. Electric urban blues, I play bass guitar.
Sunday 29th...the Half Moon Putney, lunchtime with the good old Elastic Band
Wednesday 31st...the Cafe du Marche, Charterhouse Square EC1, Acoustic jazz duo with pianist Mark Ambler, good food (expensive)
Thursday 2nd JUNE...the Plough, Northfields, Ealing with with Willie Garnett (tenor sax),  Jack Masserik (gtr), Alan Berry (piano) and in charge, Dick Esmond (drums).
Saturday 5th ...Theatre Royal Bath with Acker Bilk and the Paramount Jazz Band.
Monday 6th...Val Pensiero, Beaconsfield...with Mike Piggott and the Hot Club trio.
You may notice I'm not the advertised bass player in some of these bands, this is the life of the itinerant deputy musician!

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09.05.11
The first post on this new News page is to announce the News page. I'm  going to use it to tell you about things which I hope will interest you. I am only just beginning to be able to plan properly for new work after my project last year and this is where I will let you know about it.