Soloist and Duo
Options
Having
progressed JJ Jazz from its beginnings in 2000 into successful performing
group combos, a solo act was developed during 2004. The major investment in
a new Roland RD700 digital stage piano ensures full mobility to client bookings.
The 'act' comprises piano, tenor sax, clarinet with an overlay of vocals,
or can be simply cocktail bar piano. Bookings from trade establishments and
for weddings alike are in full flow.
Alongside the Solo option the longstanding Duo that draws many compliments
from clients is still in play. This has been re-vitalised with new backing
material to sax, clarinet and guitar. An alternative Duo combination that
presents no less than five instruments from two guys - piano (or
keyboard) sax, clarinet, trombone and jazz harmonica plus and overlay
of vocals, is now available. Together the Duo combos can be merged into a
Trio option.
New Licensing Law
Many readers will remember the orchestrated campaign against the Licensing
Reform Bill that I led, as a committee member of the North Wales branch of
the Musicians Union, until it entered the Statute Book in July 2003. After many months of delays and confusion and missed self-imposed deadlines
by Government the Act became law in November, 2005.
Most of the press and broadcast media has centred on the changes to alcohol
licensed premises and the fears of an aggravation of binge drinking. However,
it is becoming clear that live music entertainment establishments are choosing
not to re-license their premises on grounds of bureaucracy and cost. If you
know of a venue that has ceased to stage live music please inform me ... EMail.
Dear
I am concerned that the Licensing Bill proposals to make the performance of
live music licensable in pubs and clubs, in places where alcohol is served, in
schools and colleges, in community centres and village and parish halls, and in
private homes and gardens where private parties and weddings may be held will
have an enormously detrimental effect on musicians and live music performances.
I also fear that the raising of money for charities by musicians will be
seriously compromised.
The Government’s decision to replace the anomalous two in a bar rule with a
none in a bar rule will catch all live music performances. In the North
Shropshire constituency small town pubs, village inns and restaurants, already
struggling in a harsh economic climate, will lose business without the
opportunity of presenting live music entertainment as an incidental attraction.
It will have a catastrophic effect on the livelihoods of hundred’s of semi and
fully professional musicians who rely on such sources for their work.
Furthermore, the new licence regime will ensnare music shops, music and dance
studios and teachers.
The Government’s likening of live music as a potential cause of anti-social
behaviour is insulting to musicians. The proposed penalties for breaking the law
of a six month jail sentence or a £20,000 fine are far too draconian. It is also
grossly unfair and inconsistent that live music will not be licensable in
Scotland but will be in England and Wales.
In all this represents a totally unacceptable regulatory intrusion into
people’s lives and livelihoods and I am writing to request that you call upon
the Government to uphold the amendments that have been passed in the Lords and
to remove the iniquities faced by venues, event organizers, audiences, musicians
and the music industry as a whole.
Your sincerely
Tuition and Workshops
for 2006
The
tuition programmes launched last year have attracted individual adult beginners
who want to enjoy the realms of playing in jazz and swing modes, with saxophone
being the more popular.
It's an extension from the JJ Jazz monthly workshops for Aspiring Jazzers
(adults) that led to many of the participants going on to paid work on performance
circuits or setting up self-development practice combos.