Hot jazz for a cold day.

We played the Magdalen Street Festival in Norwich on Saturday.  The courtyard of the King of Hearts doesn't get much sun in October and we froze.  I had chosen my T-shirt with care but didn't even take my jacket off.  Nor did Cesar. Andy wisely kept his hat on. Or perhaps unwisely - opinion is divided. But a little hot jazz and klezmer goes down well in Norfolk and I like to think our audience was somewhat warmer for the music we played.

Thanks to Polly for accepting the offer of my camera and taking the pictures.

Radio Video

Well it's a busy time for Eastern Straynotes.  On Saturday we had our first video shoot and hope to get something onto Youtube very soon.  That was followed by a private party in the evening where we went down rather well, even if I say so myself.  We were more or less acoustic for that with just Andy's vocals given a little boost.

This evening I'll meet the filmmaker to select the takes we'll go on and use.  Then, tomorrow afternoon, I'm off to Radio Norfolk to be interviewed in relation to our next public performance.  Also there will be singer-songwriter James Frost who has programmed the King of Hearts stage in the courtyard of the eponymous café.  James is also playing on that stage.  If you tune into Radio Norfolk at around 3.30 tomorrow afternoon  (Tuesday 9th October) you'll probably hear us both.

And if you make it Magdalen Street on Saturday, look out for Eastern Straynotes at the King of Hearts at 11am.  You know if it's us playing because our infectious klezmer and swing jazz will make it impossible to stand still!

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The vagaries of the weather

June can deliver so much in terms of weather.  Last Sunday we were performing in a soggy marquee in Aylsham, North Norfolk, and I ended up playing in my hand warmers.  The sky threw buckets of rain along with thunder and lightning. The latter caused a power cut all across the town and we played one number, Summertime (I think everyone was aware of the irony) acoustically.  By necessity, this brought us closer to our audience.  Fortunately the outage was shortlived and Andy, not relishing emulating the Jazz 'belters' of the 1920s, was able to resume a more varied vocal style.

After we played we stuck around for a very pleasant lunch, courtesy of Aylsham Manor, a photo opportunity and to hear the first couple of numbers by the Aylsham Band (pictured) before heading off to other engagements.

The following Thursday, in contrast, was perhaps the warmest day yet this year in East Anglia.  I don't remember seeing a cloud in the sky during our drive down to Woodbridge in Suffolk.  And it stayed warm all evening.

Andy and I even got out for a brief stroll in the break.  Our name wasn't exactly in lights - probably because of the long June evenings, but someone had obviously gone to some trouble making this sign.

Meanwhile, Cesar stayed inside to work on the finer details of his bass sound.

Just like playing outside

The backdrop for the stage at Kelling Heath in Norfolk really brings the forest into the room.  It's just like playing outside but warmer, dryer and with a better acoustic.  My good friend Rick took some pics during the second set and also a few movie clips which may (or may not!) appear in a later post.

I'm not sure what tune we're playing here.  Something with a lyric, that's for sure.  We go down well in Kelling, whether we play swing, Latin or klezmer.

Pinocchio's

On Thursday night Andy and I found ourselves in Pinocchio's, a restaurant on trendy St Benedict's Street in Norwich.  The restaurant has live music every Thursday from 7pm until 10pm.  It is the perfect way to unwind after some late night shopping.  Eastern Straynotes have the power to both calm and invigorate and we'll be back there on March 15th.

Tour Dates

OK, so we're not quite at the point of printing a roadie's T-shirt with all our dates proudly displayed.  For one thing, I don't think any of the brides and grooms would like to remember their wedding for the arrival of a hoard of uninvited guests.  But we do have a list of public performances which you are welcome to attend.

Most of our gigs are of the foody variety but you can see us in Woodbridge at the end of March or at Kelling in early June.  Food is available, but by no means compulsory, at these venues. (See the Dates page for details.)

And we're hoping to be headlining a large fundraising event in Norwich in April which promises to be a lot of fun.  Watch this space.

Valentine's Day

One of the most romantic meals I ever had featured, along with my loved one, a genial old duffer filling the restaurant with the warm sound of a jazz piano. Last Monday, St Valentine's Day,the lucky couples at Quayside Plaza were treated to a menu which included venison, monkfish and, for the vegetarians, stuffed Mediterranean vegetables. Angelo, Magda and their team really know how to prepare and present food. They are also masters of the sympathetic ambiance.

But what of music? It is the food of love, as everyone knows. Well instead of a piano the diners had the soft strings of a jazz guitar and the dulcet tones of a clarinet. I Can't Give You Anything But Love, My Favourite Things, Cheek to Cheek...

Wine flowed, eyes danced and the band played on.

The Country Wedding

Last night Eastern Straynotes, found themselves playing for a wedding deep in rural Norfolk. We had a wonderful evening. Either we were very good or the guests were very game but we had them dancing from the first number right through to the end of the final set. I will never think of 'Petite Fleur' in the same way again: we performed it as a very upbeat and rousing tango.

Of course it may have had something to do with our special guest star, Colin Brady, who came along to play drums. A rare gap in the Lee Vasey Band's calender meant he was free for the evening. With versatile use of a small kit he added colour, depth and extra texture to our unique mix of swing, klezmer and the like. I hope it isn't too long before we can play together again.

We also had Paul back on double bass, having missed the last two gigs, and it was clear how much we have gelled as a band since he joined us in November. I am already looking forward to our next gig.

One of the most satisfying aspects of being in Eastern Straynotes is playing music that appeals to so many people of all ages. It reminds the older folk of their youth while the younger crowd recognise a music that was, after all, originally written for the young.

Perhaps the greatest accolade of the evening was being asked if we would travel to north London to play klezmer for a fortieth birthday party next year. And that was a serious enquiry made before the champagne toast!