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Joey Defrancesco Trio, Ronnie Scott’s, 21st June 2011

Submitted by RKScarr on 18 June, 2011 - 14:54

Joey Defrancesco is an B3 player of stature in more ways than one. As he slowly ambles on to the Ronnie Scott’s stage one is immediately taken aback by the sheer physicality of his presence. He is a commanding figure once seated at his keyboard, and is swift to demonstrate his mastery of the instrument. Playing in an unusual trio format of organ, piano (Massimo Farao, rather inexplicably wearing a Charles Mansion t-shirt) and drums (the intriguingly named Byron ‘Wookie’ Landham), Defranceso promptly breathed new life into an opening salvo of light-jazz standards ‘Bye, Bye Blackbird’ and ‘Fly me to the Moon’, tunes which most credible twenty-first century jazz acts would wilfully avoid, yet the depth of his imaginative improvisational skills renders them fresh.

If there was a theme to this evening’s performance it was fun, as the two keyboard players traded riffs, attempting to confuse Landham by creating inadvertent off-beat pauses, and laughing heartily at each other when the other pulled off a sublime flashy run or solo. When a young Italian vocalist joined them to croon for a number in the second set, the pair of them swapped knowing winks as each attempted to insert the most obvious clichéd motif they could find while their singer (jazz hands, emotional shoulders) seemed oblivious to their high-jinks. Ultimately though it was Defrancesco’s outrageous right hand, running across the B3’s top manual like a bewildered spider on amphetamines, that made the evening a triumph. If only Jess Yates was alive to see this, ‘Stars on Sunday’ could have been a whole different program.

OnDaMike Productions At Juno Download

Submitted by meganbenson on 17 June, 2011 - 19:00

I am Megan Benson and I am fond of music .Recently , My friend gave me a song collection of OnDaMike Productions. I love to hear Electro Music.
To preview a song, mouse over the title and click Play. Open iTunes to buy and download music.
http://itunes.apple.com/ie/artist/ondamike/id339898474

(If you are interested in signing up for the label contact us for more info) MJS@ONDAMIKEPRODUCTIONS.COM

Tube in the Studio

Submitted by Chris Jenkins on 4 June, 2011 - 13:09

Hopefully it'll be just like riding a bike... looking forward to getting back into the Studio for the first time in what feels like too long, or not long enough, depending on who you speak too.

After our brief foray into playing live again at Christmas after a 7 year holiday, the 4 of us enter the studio this weekend in Brighton and having just booking the hotel, I'm sure it's going to be a fun.

Charlie Haden @ Barbican

Submitted by mick on 27 May, 2011 - 10:30

Well....... Some of it was great - I really like the chord progressions in Charlie's tunes - but that's the music. As a performance, the pianist Alan Broadbent was awesome, soloing in 2 handed style as if composing a Bach 2-part invention on the fly. Classical meets Jazz improv with verve! Saxophonist Ernie Watts and drummer Rodney Green played admirably, both inspired soloist and very entertaining to watch.
The singers didn't add a lot in my opinion - in fact the opposite - although Charlie's new album is called Sophisticated Ladies the addition of 3 singers for 1 song each could well have been seen as token. Liane Carroll was probably the pick of the bunch but Ruth Cameron and Melody Gardot detracted from what was otherwise musically strong enough on its own. Have had better jazz concert experiences at the Barbican... MC

Let's Go Safari

Submitted by dathbrad on 24 May, 2011 - 21:27

Today I picked up the Let’s Go Safari EP ‘I Eat Awesome For Breakfast’ and stuck it in my iTunes. Now I’m addicted. It’s beauty to my ears. The EP features five of their magnificent electro-pop tunes including ‘I Bet You Think You’re Captain Scarlet (Truth Is You’re Nothing But A Mysteron)’ and my personal favourite ‘Let’s Go Safari, Yeah?’.

The EP doesn’t however include ’Fraidey Cat’, ‘Toy Date’ or ‘Satellites Have No Conscience’ and if you haven’t heard these then you are severely missing out. I was lucky enough to see LGS support EAR PWR last week and they truly are entertaining. The guys have definite stage presence, throw in their catchy lyrics and electric melody and there you have it – Let’s Go Safari are rocking the joint!

I know they’re admitting to breakfast, but I think LGS eat awesome for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Oxjam 2011 is here!

Submitted by Sandie-J on 24 May, 2011 - 15:36

Oxjam 2011 is finally upon us and we are looking for people to organise their own music events this October. Oxjam is the UK's biggest festival with live music events taking place all over the country, all throughout the month of October.

Recruitment has begun for Oxjam event organisers. We are looking for people like you who know and love their local music scene to do something amazing for a great cause this year. Oxfam is a vibrant global movement of passionate, dedicated people fighting poverty together. Doing amazing work, together. People power drives everything we do. From saving lives and developing projects that put poor people in charge of their lives and livelihoods, to campaigning for change that lasts. That’s Oxfam in action.

Be part of this by getting involved with Oxjam in your local area. Oxjam events are what YOU make them. Big or small, street corner or concert hall, you don’t have to be a professional event organiser to put on an amazing show. The beauty of Oxjam is the diversity of events in the line-up. If it's your first time, Oxjam is a great way to gain music or events experience. Our website has all you need to know about running an unforgettable event. It’s your first point of call for inspiration, training from industry experts and step-by-step guides to pulling off something amazing. Visit www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam or for further information get in touch with me at sasmith@oxfam.org.uk

Local music, global impact.

Ibar - May 16th 2011

Submitted by Lets Go Safari on 18 May, 2011 - 04:16

Hey Safari heads!?

Hows tricks? Just wanted to make a quick shout out, to Chris, Daryl and co for putting us on the bill a few nights ago. We had a great time on stage, Clive's foot pedal was so excitable it decided to cease functioning in sound check! Luckily it was reset in time for our performance, from opening with Bitterness and Glee right through to closing with Mister Masochist, we both had a fantastic time, and by the looks of it, so were the audience. My personal highlight was using telekinesis to cause Clive's mic stand to waver during Introvert/Extrovert. Very spooky!

We'll be back at IBAR in June to support Tellison and The Attika State, so look out for tickets to that gig, or get in touch to purchase one off us.

Lots of LGS love

Ryan Safari.
xxxxxxxxxx

Let's Go Safari

Submitted by Chris Jenkins on 16 May, 2011 - 23:34

A great show from the Safari guys tonight in Bournemouth... only their second ever live performance and yet they are very much at home on stage. I recommend their song about Satellites and that you go and see them live at their next gig. Very entertaining and extremely catchy tunes.