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Early mornings and tv shows! (Rio and São Paulo)
Another flight, more time to write! On our way to Belo Horizonte now for the last, and biggest part of the festival. The planning in Belo is enormous – we have had a film festival over the past week, showing only films related to jazz, including Anatomy of a Murder and The Cotton Club, amongst [...]
Continue reading...A succesfull start to the tour!
Even so, Gunhild’s style of jazz is not common here so, to be honest, although I knew they would do a great job I didn’t know how great. … I would also like to say that it was a great feeling seeing the audience really enjoying the combination of artists that Leo and I had put together A brief word on Mingus.
Continue reading...A few hurdles, but a good start!
Well, I finally have a quick 20 minutes to write something! I have to say, I wasn’t really prepared for the amount of work that was waiting for us here! Since I arrived Tuesday night it has been pretty much non-stop – interviews, resolving problems at the theatre, resolving problems at the hotel … just [...]
Continue reading...Jazz Festival Brasil 2009
Apologies for my extended absence. I’ve been slightly overwhelmed by a new ‘gig’ and I’m just getting life back in order! A few months ago I took on the job of Artistic Director for Jazz Festival Brasil, foolishly thinking I’d have lots of fun organising the biggest festival of it’s kind in the country. I’ve [...]
Continue reading...Why musicians should use Twitter
Are you a musician who is not yet using Twitter? Have you been putting it off because it seems a bit dumb – why would you want to read about, or tell other people about everything that goes on in your life? If you are then read on! As with a lot of people I [...]
Continue reading...2008 Presidential Debate – comments from a non-American
Did anyone watch last night’s final debate between Senators Obama and McCain? I did, and I found parts of it, like parts of the entire campaign, disturbing. Poor Senator McCain felt hurt at the comments of Senator John Lewis. I almost shed a tear – not. I wonder if Senator Obama felt ‘hurt’ at being, [...]
Continue reading...Why we need Hank Moody.
Television is, for the most part, complete crap. It is filled with lowest-common-denominator programmes (or programs, for the Stateside readers) that do nothing to stimulate us other than to reach for more coke and crisps and join the ever increasing ranks of the obese. I have never understood the success of reality TV; the fascination [...]
Continue reading...On tour – day 12 and the tour ends
Day 12 – Recife I suppose it’s fitting that the last day off the tour should be the biggest balls up. We were all told to be ready for an 11 a.m. pick-up for the airport. Our flight was at 1.15 and we had a TV broadcast to do before the gig (actually they booked [...]
Continue reading...On tour – Day 10 and 11
Day 10 – Belo Horizonte (again) I didn’t think there was enough traveling going on during this tour, so I decided to go home in between gigs! Actually, it was my wedding anniversary, so I popped home on the day off. It’s actually between Rio and Aracaju, so it kind of made sense. I needed [...]
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