Category Archives: videos

My Friend Lester in West End and Frome

Shows, Stage, videos

I am very proud to announce that the jazz musical “My Friend Lester” about the relationship between Billie Holiday and Lester Young will be coming to The Jermyn Street Theatre, London June 11 and The Merlin Theatre in Frome June 16. The play is written by Maria McAteer and she plays the part of Billie Holiday and I play Lester Young. We also have the incredible musicians John Donaldson on piano and Simon Thorpe on double bass.

Horns for Grinny Grandad

Recordings, videos

It’s always nice when something you have recorded gets released. I transcribed, arranged and recorded the horns on this funky track by Grinny Grandad. Alto and barytone by me, trumpet by Bob and trombone by Barnaby Davies. If you need horns for your song get in touch!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11E7Dhwk5tQ&w=853&h=480]

Surprise arrangement

videos

We have just finished a tour of Denmark with The Show – A Tribute To ABBA where I play the part of Benny.  My friend Jakob Melkstam had just returned to the tour having had a tough year battling with cancer. We wanted to give him a warm welcome so we decided to play his song “Fortaleza” instead of Summernight City in the soundcheck. I did an arrangement for the orchestra and here is the result.

You can find his orginal version of the song online under his stage name Melkovitz. Do it, it’s beautiful.

2 videos from Harry’s Tricks’ Album Launch

Harry's Tricks, videos

In December last year the band Harry’s Tricks, led by Mike the Mic, launched “Who’s Harry” an album of 9 original swing songs. Mike wrote all but one, Heading To Ship Street, that was penned by me. I am very proud to share with you two of Mike’s compositions from the launch here with you today. Incidentally both have horn arrangements by me. Please enjoy “Fake Smile” and “Hoogly Googly Man”!