New Releases
My quartet with Brandon Allen, Gareth Williams and Arnie Somogyi has recorded volume 2 of the British Jazz Composers Series called Given Time. It's due out in March on my label Tentoten Records and I'm looking for dates into the year to promote it. The programme is a blend of jazz standards like "Lullaby of Birdland" and "The Touch of Your Lips" with modern compositions from active jazz musicians, all born in the UK.
My wife Sylvia Rae Tracey has just released her debut album on my label too, called "Up From The Skies". Regular airplay on Thejazz radio station (also their CD of the week) means sales are blooming. Her group includes Simon Allen, John Paracelli, Zoe Rahman, Arnie Somogyi and myself. Visit tentotenrecords.com for both cd's and downloads.
Stan Tracey will be in the studio again soon to record with his trio plus Simon Allen, celebrating 50 years of Stan's compositions.
The Joan Viskant recording project "Madeleine Rooms" (trio, guitar, sax, trumpet, backing vocals and string quartet) which began in 2006 is finally nearing completion. My involvement was as drummer, arranger and producer. Very glad to say Derek Nash has just finished mixing it with me and hopefully we'll see it released in the near future.
New Band
I have put together a new line up young musicians for this year, replacing my quintet of 7 years. It includes two members of Pendulum, Piers Green (sax) and Paul Jordanous (trumpet) along with Kit Downes (piano), Lewis Wright (vibes) and Ryan Trebilcock (bass). Dates are starting to come in and I'm looking to release a CD by summer.
Education
I seem to be asked to do more and more teaching jobs these days and have decided to attach masterclass/workshops to performances wherever possible. In February I'm at the Southport festival and will be giving a masterclass in the afternoon. Call the festival if you'd like to take part - 01704 541709. I still teach privately and urge you to get in touch with me, wherever you live, as it's possible to hook up on the day somewhere. I'm currently involved in a commissioned project in a school in Shropshire, encouraging and supporting the kids there to compose jazz based on a set concept, along the lines of my Stiperstones Suite in the Eighties. This will culminate in a reunion gig of my original band to perform it there in March. I've also quit my teaching job in Kingston now to concentrate more fully on the Herts Music Services projects which includes running small groups, big bands plus private tuition.
If you are a drummer with a query about any aspect of drumming, I am happy to reply if you use this link to mail me
Friends Reunited
My workmate from my old quintet Steve Melling and I have put a 7-piece group together with original charts by its members. Also in the group are Dave O'Higgins, Mark Nightingale, Simon Allen, Barnaby Dickinson and Geoff Gascoyne.