Eastern Straynotes are pleased to be headlining this fundraiser for Norwich Green Party.  It promises to be a fine night with a variety of different cabaret style acts including comedy, theatre, mind reading, storytelling and performance poetry as well as music.  And Tom Foxe's pedal-powered PA is worth the admission by itself.

The trio is joined by Bazza Bizarre on drums and we will demonstrate our credentials as a full-on dance band by ending the evening with an irresistible beat.

All the details are on the poster which should blow up big if you double-click on it.

Easter Sunday

The first marquee gig of the year on a damp and chilly Easter Sunday, made possible by the combination of plastic canvas and a gas-powered space heater.  So powerful was the heater, and so draft-proof the canvas, that the marquee held its heat very well.

The event was a day-after-the-wedding hog-roast lunch and a little jazz was required to add warmth to the proceedings. Judging by the constant stream of compliments, tapping feet, swaying bodies and occasional nifty footwork we really hit the spot.  I know it isn't very English to big yourself up but the blog is no place to be economical with the truth.

And as we left we couldn't resist saying hello to another Morris.

The Crown at Woodbridge

They certainly know their jazz in Woodbridge and we had an attentive audience who made the long journey south worthwhile.  The Crown is a lovely spot, recently and tastefully modernised and extended. And it seems they always have a jazz band playing on the last Thursday of the month.

I took this snap during Andy's guitar solo in Thelonius Monk's 'Round Midnight', Cesar Camba giving support on double bass.  We played three sets in all, enabling us to give an outing to many of our favourite tunes.

Let there be lights

Andy adds a little sparkle to the occasion as we set up for a jazz and sea-food themed evening at Quayside Plaza in Great Yarmouth last Saturday. Phosphorescence?

Eastern Straynotes do try to add a little colour to their performances. We usually use rather larger lights than these but if you visit Angelo's excellent, but not especially large, establishment you will see why we scaled them down.

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.

In With the New

I'm beginning to think that Eastern Straynotes have had more bass players than Spinal Tap had drummers.  But it is to be hoped that the excellent Cesar Camba is a long-term appointment.  Cesar (pronounced 'Thessar') took over from Cairo-bound Paul in September and has quickly made an impact.  And having seen him wading in the chilly River Yare during a photo shoot last month I don't think he's the type to get cold feet.