It’s a good sign I’ve been off the blog. I’ve been on the horn. I failed to mention BRISTOL HARBOURFEST on July 19th. Then we were booked for the national Quaker ‘Yearly Meeting Gathering’ Aug 8th. where we played with Israeli record producer Mark Smulian on oud and a star klezmer clarinet player. (see pics) I’ve never sold so many cds! There’ve been function gigs, an appearance at WOMAD with Fallout Marching Band and in the horn section for PSB and now the autumn season beckons: catch us at
CANTEEN BRISTOL THURSDAY SEPT 17th 9.30pm free entry
The PORTER BASEMENT JAZZ AND BLUES CLUB [fb] BATH THURS OCT 16th
BREWHOUSE TAUNTON Sunday Nov 9th lunch time price tbc
BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY HALL 28th NOVEMBER 5pm free entry

I cycled to Bath today down our brilliant railway cylce path, 100+ precious fliers inhand for the June 5th gig at St James Wine Vaults. A perfect bank hol Monday day out! Handed the fliers to punters of the Thoumire-Milligan gig and then went in myself not knowing what to expect.

‘Twas a sublime fusuin of Scots reels and such with a jazzy left hand piano. The concertina sounds oddly distinct. It’s hardly a blend, but kept me alert. It put me in mind of other collaborations I’ve heard-Karen Tweed and Timo Alakotila and June Tabor and Huw Warren.

I love it when European jazz musicians, having inevitably passed through the American jazz songbook explore and bring new insight to our own roots music. Or roots musicians borrow from jazz idioms to look askance at the stuff they’ve done for yonks.

And after all that, a few more fliers round Bath and a great cycle home passed steam trains. Just watering the lettuces before bed. Bliss.
Anyone in Bath fancying being door-keeper on June 25th for free entry and a free cd, let me know!