“The hippest thing you can do is not play at all. Just listen!” Lennie Tristano… Sage advice to all improvisors, myself included. This reinforces the view that the practice of improvising is so close to that of mindfulness/presence and attention. Regardless of our private and personal views regarding religion and faith traditions, our musical practiceContinue reading ““The hippest thing you can do is not play at all. Just listen!” Lennie Tristano”
Category Archives: jazz
Jazz isn’t dead and it doesn’t smell funny either!
Some idle moments surfing YouTube proved to be not so idle when I came across this wonderful performance from Oscar Peterson and Clark Terry… The unbridled joy of this playing provoked a deep response… All this talk about the death of jazz, oh dear. It’s time for a reality check and an appointment with ourContinue reading “Jazz isn’t dead and it doesn’t smell funny either!”
Not the Olympics – Week 2 update
Due to the effects of the Olympics upon local businesses, the “Not the Olympics” season at Oliver’s has been partially suspended. REMAINING GIGS at OLIVER’S Aug 6th Martin Speake and Simon Purcell “Amsterdam After Dark” – CANCELLED DUE TO OLYMPICS EFFECT ON LOCAL BUSINESS Aug 7th “Fine Chaps” – Geoff Simkins, Malcolm Earle-Smith, Simon Purcell et al – CANCELLEDContinue reading “Not the Olympics – Week 2 update”
Join the bankers, start fiddling – with Joe Townsend @ Oliver’s tonight
Tonight’s featured artist is Joe Townsend. My very good friend and and colleague at Trinity-Laban, Joe Townsend is probably the most versatile musician I know. A jazz violinist, composer, collaborator and “world Musician” in the proper sense (i.e. a genuine expert as opposed to the dabbler), Joe in at as home in Bluegrass as Bebop, HotContinue reading “Join the bankers, start fiddling – with Joe Townsend @ Oliver’s tonight”
Women took the Bastille – now get into Greenwich and to Oliver’s
Tonight’s featured artist is Mark Lockheart. Mark Lockheart is not only a very old friend and co-consiprator in a number of musical settings dating back to 1979, but clearly one of the most distinctive and creative musicians on the current British music scene. As a saxophonist and composer, his work often defies categorisation andContinue reading “Women took the Bastille – now get into Greenwich and to Oliver’s”
Simon Purcell 