Hangover in Barcelona... with Buttons!

I think it’s safe to say that the heat wave is over. I’m looking out of my window at the rain pummelling the street below, watching the lightning and listening to rumbles of thunder in the near distance. British weather, you can’t beat it! Last week I mentioned that I was playing a recital at Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery. We had what I like to call a quality audience – it was a scorching hot day which is perhaps not the best of scenarios to be holding an afternoon concert – but those in attendance seemed to enjoy the music. I was playing a programme of songs from the ‘Great American Songbook’, from writers including George and Ira Gershwin, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, and Cole Porter. It was enjoyable to be able to put something on for myself which is perhaps slightly different to what I would usually do.

I had the weekend off this week which allowed me the chance for a little rest and recuperation. Saturday turned into something of a film marathon, with a trip to the cinema in the afternoon to see ‘The Hangover’ (very funny) and then an evening in with ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ starring Brad Pitt, and ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ an odd little film, written and directed by Woody Allen, with a quirky soundtrack throughout, in particular a song called Barcelona by Giulia y los Tellarini. It’s one of those songs that I can’t work out whether I love it or despise it! Take a listen and let me know what you think.

Coming up this weekend I’m appearing at Choice Bar and Restaurant in Manchester on Saturday 11th July from 8.30pm and possibly also playing at The Sands Venue, Gainsborough, on Sunday 12th July (we’re currently still looking at the dates for this).

More work to be done this evening for my forthcoming gigs so I shall leave it there for now.

Scott Bramley
www.scottbramley.co.uk

Gigs are like buses. They all come at once. I’ve had to turn down both a pantomime and a cruise today because my diary is already quite full. I guess I can’t be everywhere and do everything at once, no matter how hard I try! But enough of what I can't do and more of what I've been up to and what is upcoming.



I took my band out on Saturday evening to play for the centenary celebrations of Welton Sports and Social Club, just outside of Lincoln. It was a fantastic event, taking place in a huge marquee on Welton playing fields, with tuxedos and ball gowns in abundance. When we got there to set up during the afternoon the sun was shining and the marquee was roasting. I now have some idea what a roast chicken feels like! Absolutely sweltering! Luckily for us it did cool down as the evening progressed. With a programme of swing and jazz standards, the dance floor was full by the end of our second set which is what we like to see. Glastonbury may have had Bruce Springsteen, but Welton had us! The following afternoon I played at The Sands Venue in Gainsborough, where I was lucky enough to have a most receptive audience, so thanks to you if you were there (you know who you are!). I’m currently liaising with the Sands for my next set of dates, so watch this space for them.

On Wednesday I’m performing an afternoon recital at Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery, for an hour-long concert of standards from the Great American Songbook. If you’re in the vicinity why not take a break from work/shopping to join me!

This weekend I’m taking a well earned rest (hopefully this pleasant spell of weather will continue) but will be appearing at Choice Bar and Restaurant in Manchester the following Saturday 11th July from 8.30pm.

I’m going to leave it there. I have set lists to plan for the next few weeks.

Bye for now!

Midsummer Night's Dream??

Is it terrible of me that for the past 40 minutes I’ve been comparing buildings and contents insurance premiums only to get bored with the whole process, close all my browser windows and go with our current provider?! I have more important things to do! I've had a busy few weeks with gigs, concerts, and a new venture that I’ve taken on.

Gig Diary
My band has played for two wedding receptions these past two weeks. In fact both couples had already been married abroad and were holding celebrations here in the UK for their friends and families that couldn’t make it. On Saturday the 13th of June we travelled down to RAF Marham, just outside of King’s Lynn, to play for Michael and Dee Dixon, or more correctly Wing Commander and Flight Lieutenant Dixon No. 6 RAF Police Squadron! The following week on 20th June we found ourselves in Market Harborough to celebrate with Paul and Helen Rowe. Congratulations to both couples. We wish you all the best in your married lives together.

Next Saturday 27th June my band is playing for the centenary celebrations of the Welton Sports & Social Club near Lincoln, with an evening of swing and jazz standards. That’s followed by a solo appearance at The Sands Venue on Sunday 28th June. And on Wednesday 1st July I'm performing an hour-long solo recital at the Doncaster Museum And Art Gallery exploring music of the Great American Songbook.

Strike Up The Band
Earlier this month, Doncaster Music Service, with whom I teach, held a massed band event at The Doncaster Dome with more than 40 primary school bands in attendance over a two day period. Five of the classes that I teach were there. Each band performed a number of pieces by themselves with the event culminating in a massed piece with around 150 children playing together simultaneously. It was quite a feat but they pulled it off spectacularly. All the teachers were very proud, and the parents too who had come to support them. Well done!

Tale As Old As Time
If that weren’t enough I’ve taken a position as musical director for the Doncaster Amateur Operatic Society who have been holding auditions for their upcoming production of Beauty And The Beast. I’m very happy to say that after a gruelling day of auditions yesterday we have put together a superb cast (they don’t actually know who they are yet as they’ll be receiving a phone call tomorrow!). Rehearsals begin in September and the show will be performed the first week of March 2010 at the Doncaster Civic Theatre.

Songs I’ve Heard
Whenever I hear something I really like I do feel the need to pass it on and there have been a couple of artists I’ve stumbled across recently. A month or two ago I mentioned an Australian artists called Missy Higgins. Well, it seems that the Aussie’s are out in force because I heard another great performance at the weekend as I was driving to my gig. I was listening to the Dermot O’Leary show on Radio 2 which featured a live session by Lenka, a singer songstress from Sydney who found fame in her native land as a serial actress, in such shows as Home And Away. Now based in LA, Lenka is currently touring the world with her band and had called in to Radio 2 to perform her song, “The Show” along with a quirky cover of ‘Friday I’m In Love’ by The Cure. She’s very easy to listen to with a very summery sound.

A little closer to home, I was in Sheffield a couple of weeks ago at Peace in the Park, a massive gathering of Sheffield’s unwashed (there were a lot of piercings and tattoos around!) with a good line up of live acts. The one that caught my attention though was a two piece band, drums and guitar/vocals. The artist in question was called Little Lost David. He had a superb voice and great songs. Much of the subject matter was devil related but nevertheless definitely someone to be looking out for.

Well that’s about it for me. I leave you now as the rain lashes down outside. So much for mid-summer. As my mother always reminds me at this time of year – the night’s are drawing in now!!

Scott Bramley
www.scottbramley.co.uk