London Jazz Festival 2011 - Countdown!

Only 8 days to go to the start of this year's London Jazz Festival!

I've got two performances during November's London Jazz Festival with Jonny Phillips on guitar (Southbank Centre @1pm on Fri 11th and artsdepot at 1pm on Sun 13th) and we'll be performing arrangements of songs by a wide range of artists including Tom Waits, Michel Legrand and the Beatles.  The only condition is that they must have a connection with or feature the name of a European city or country.  It's been fun choosing the songs and there are even a couple that we've written specially.  It's also going to be quite a challenge because I'll be attempting to sing in French and Italian.

  

At the moment, I'm frantically trying to finish lyrics for one of the new songs - yes, I know I've left it very late...   I'm also trying to choose my outfits for the shows.  I'm wondering whether to go for a burlesque-style corset but am thinking it might be quite difficult to breathe wearing it!

Lost Arts, Rural Touring and New Shoes!

Lost Arts

I felt very pleased to be asked to take part by giving a short speech at the Lost Arts launch event on 15th June on behalf of the Musicians' Union.  I have to say I was probably more nervous that I have EVER been in my life.  It's funny - I don't normally feel that nervous before a gig but I was scared absolutely witless!  Those pesky little butterflies that normally start fluttering around my tummy just before I take the stage for a very important gig decided to do their impression of a raging tornado.  When I realised that my speech was going to be slotted between those of the Shadow Culture Secretary and actor Maggie Steed, the butterflies threatened to cause internal combustion!  But I DID IT!  It was polished and it certainly wasn't effortless but I'm really pround of myself for achieving something that was so difficult for me.  Read all about this incredibly important initiative on the Lost Arts website.

Maggie and Me (You can actually see the relief on under the patina of perspiration on my face!)

Rural Touring

I've just received booking confirmations for my first rural tour!  Yay!  Many years ago I did a Radio 3 interview with Claire Martin after releasing my first album.  Unfortunately, the interview never saw the light of day as I was bumped for something or somebody more newswothy (sob!) but I remember when asked what my plans were that I said I'd love to do a tour of village halls and other rural venues.  It actually took me eight years to discover the National Rural Touring Forum and I applied last year to be included on their lists.  It's a long process but I'm so pleased that I'll finally be performing once again in the Northumberland area.  I loved visiting the area for the first time earlier this year with my Celebrating the Divas tour and can't wait to go back! :-)

New Shoes!

And on a totally frivolous note...  I've been buying rather a lot of shoes lately.  Oops!  My new favourites are these Melissa for Vivienne Westwood shoes.  They're made from eco-friendly mono materials that can be easily disassembled and recycled, as well as being completely cruelty-free with no animal products.  Production is 100% efficient, with 100%-of-materials-used and no excess waste.  Unsold shoes are just melted down and remade!  But most of all they're just absolutely gorgeous.

AND they're called Ultragirl.  I feel like a superhero when I'm wearing them!