Oct 29
Saxophonist and Big Band Librarian (sometimes…read on!) Tim Pickering looks back at the first rehearsal in the new concert-hall. On Wednesday evening, the Concert Band and Big Band moved into the new Colyer-Fergusson Building with much excitement (certainly from me!). First impressions, simply ‘wow!’ what a difference in acoustics! In fact, I was enjoying warming …
Oct 25
Ian Swatman on the first rehearsals for Concert and Big Band in the new building, and the urge to wear slippers… First impression in every respect…wow! Speaking personally it did feel very strange arriving at a different venue for Wednesday evenings rehearsal. It has at times felt that on a typical Wednesday evening I’ve walked …
Oct 07
Second-year saxophonist and Music Scholar, Tim Pickering, gives us the lowdown on the start to the year for this year’s University Big Band… The University Big Band swung back into life last two weeks ago after the summer break. We’re now back, and bigger than ever! We have some exciting new charts to play- one …
Oct 04
On Radio 3’s Jazz on 3 from last Monday, you can hear two acclaimed British jazz pianists, John Law, and Robert Mitchell. I tuned in to hear the Robert Mitchell set, a unique set recorded for the programme featuring Mitchell focusing solely on the left-hand, but before getting there, I was enthralled by a couple …
May 22
Readers of this blog will have seen that I’m a great fan of the lyrical saxophonist, Martin Speake; I”m delighted to see that a recent appearance at London’s King’s Place is now on iPlayer this week, having been aired on Radio 3 last weekend. The gig sees Martin Speake in intimate mode in duet with …
May 22
The Big Band is hotting up for its rousing gala at the Gulbenkian Theatre on Wednesday 6 June, in company with some special guests and featuring our very own First Lady of Jazz, Ruby Mutlow, singing. Full details over on ‘Music Matters’ here: this promises to be a very special occasion indeed…
Jan 18
As the conductor Ian Swatman has remarked today on that bastion of digital communication, Facebook, there’s now four weeks to go until the annual roof-raising concert with the Concert and Big Bands in the Gulbenkian Theatre. This term’s concert promises to be something remarkable, with a dizzying blend of showtunes, classic big band swing, and …
Nov 24
I’m delighted to see that a live gig by the excitingly talented Trish Clowes‘ Tanget is available on BBC iPlayer for the next few weeks. The gig is a live recording from the group’s appearance at this year’s London Jazz Festival, and features an agile version of On/Off, which is considerably quicker than a live …
Nov 23
We’re delighted to announce that, after several hours of auditions of a high standard and some serious thinking by the conductor of the Big Band and the Deputy Director of Music, the singer with the University Big Band this year will be Ruby Mutlow. To those who followed the Big Band or indeed Jazz @ …
Oct 17
In a broadcast recorded live back on 8 October at London’s Barbican, the legendary saxophonist Wayne Shorter – ex-Miles Davis sideman, founder member of fusion giants Weather Report, and colossus of the saxophone – is in concert. Bassist John Patitucci, formerly a band-member with pianist Chick Corea, is in the group, alongside drummer Brian Blade …
