It's been a while... but Divas of Jazz is back!

 

Performing at London Symphony Orchestra showcase
(c) Kevin Leighton

I've been AWOL for a while. It's been difficult to get back into the swing of things. Momentum was lost and not all the gigs that were cancelled due to the pandemic were rescheduled. 

Also didn't really feel motivated to write or to try getting new bookings. It's been tough for everyone though so that's not a complaint. I know that things have been much worse for others.

Did have a few great gigs though - including a first time visit to Diss Jazz Club with the excellent Chris Ingham Trio. (I'll be working with them again in September at Hunter Club in Bury St Edmunds.) I also performed for the first time at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival with my family show which the audience seemed to really enjoy.

A very new and exciting experience for me was taking part in a classical project for the London Symphony Orchestra soundhub where I sang some very complicated and challenging music for the showcase of composer Marilyn Herman. It was such a novelty and an absolute pleasure to perform this beautiful music with classical musicians - and to work with a conductor for the first time ever! It went really well though and I would love to do something like that again. 

September also brings the return of Divas of Jazz at one of my favourite London venues - Crazy Coqs. It's always fun to perform there and they do the most amazing cocktails. :)

5 Sep @ 7pm - Crazy Coqs, Brasserie Zedel, 20 Sherwood Street, W1F 7ED

25 Sep @ 1pm - Hunter Club - 6 St Andrews Street South, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3PJ

The good news is that I'm feeling inspired to start writing songs again so as I like to say... watch this space!

Divas of Jazz is back!

Although I suppose I'm known for writing and performing my own songs, I LOVE the classic standards.   So am very pleased to announce that Divas of Jazz is back this Autumn!

We'll be celebrating the great jazz vocalists and performing the songs of Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and more.

Fri 27 Jul, 7-8.30pm - Crazy Coqs, 20 Sherwood Street, London W1F 7ED
Fri 14 Sep, 1-2pm - Gala Theatre, 1 Millennium Place, Town Centre, Durham  DH1 1WA
Fri 14 Sep, 5-6pm - Gosforth Civic Theatre, Regent Farm Road, Gosforth  NE3 3HD
Tue 18 Sep, 2-3pm - Forest Arts Centre, Hawbush Road, Walsall  WS3 1AG 
Fri 19 Oct, 7.45pm - Chichester Jazz Club, Pallant Suite, 7 South Pallant, Chichester, PO19 1SY

There are also some possible dates on the horizon in Kiev and Odessa (Ukraine).  Looking forward to singing those beautiful songs and telling those wonderful stories once more.  :)

Stories, Divas and Vespers in the Rain

Westminster Central Hall

I had a lovely relaxing August but am now gearing up for a busy end to the year!

We brought Spellbound Stories to The Stables in Milton Keynes this week and there's more on the way...

Sunday 04 Oct Verdi Room, Royal Albert Hall, London SW7 2AP (Sunday Brunch)
Friday 16 Oct Urban Arts Bar @ Red Lion, 95 Warstone Ln, Birmingham B18 6NG (for BLACK HISTORY MONTH

And I'll also be Celebrating the Divas of Jazz...

Sunday 27 Sep The Apex, 1 Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds  IP33 3FD (Sunday Brunch)
Saturday 10 Oct  The Crazy Coqs, Brasserie Zedel, 20 Sherwood Street, London W1F 7ED (Late Night Show)

Also for Black history Month, I'll be singing Ellington and Spirituals for Jazz Vespers with the Dan Forshaw Quintet...

Sunday 25 Oct Central Hall Westminster, Storey's Gate, London  SW1H 9NH


So some exciting gigs ahead.  I've also been invited back to Italy in November - yay!  More details to come.


It's been raining A LOT in London this month.  I found this and it made it all better.  :-)

Germany, Flowering Tea and a Magical Forest

The Magic Forest

The Magic Forest

This place that I've named "The Magic Forest" was the location of the shoot for my first ever music video!  It was cold, wet and muddy (and my suede boots were destroyed) but it was still very exciting.  Am hoping that a stiff suede brush will sort out the caked in mud on my beautiful boots...


Pledge

Thanks so much to those of you who have supported my Pledge campaign so far.  I still need lots of help though.  Here is a list of the things on offer in the hope that I can tempt some of you.

Download of Spellbound Stories... just £8 (included with all purchases)
CD delivered before official release... £15
Signed CD delivered before official release... £25
Exclusive handmade (by me!) DIVA bracelet... £25
Singing or songwriting lesson... £75 (for you or a loved one)

Lots more too at http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/spellboundstories


Germany

I went to a trade fair called Jazzahead in Bremen, Germany last weekend.  Was so lovely to see so many jazz peeps and caught up with lots of musicians I haven't seen for a while.  I was also offered a tour in Germany next year so watch this space!


Flowering Tea

I've discovered the most beautiful tea in the world.  It's called Flowering Jasmine Tea!  I ordered a cup at Wagamama's and was amazed when it arrived.  It flowers after it's served to you.   Below you can see "before" and "after".  Not only delicious but stunning too!

Before

After

Finally, two performances in May.

Saturday 16 May 2015 The Crazy Coqs London, UK (Divas)
Wednesday 27 May 2015 Old Spa Function Room, Derby, UK (Spellbound Stories Family-Friendly Show)

And the big one in June!  Tickets on sale now.

Thursday 18 June 2015 Spellbound Stories Album Launch Party @ Pizza Express Jazz Club, London, UK 
http://www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk/jazzBook.aspx?showId=b94d9d1a-7cdc-481a-914f-03df585d347b&showDateId=8280