Cheltenham Jazz Festival Diary by Fred Hart

Cheltenham Jazz Festival – BBC Concert Orchestra with Georgie Fame & Guests

Written by Fred Hart on May 5, 2013 – 16:11

This first weekend in May sees the return of the annual Cheltenham Jazz Festival, and for the second year in a row I got a ticket to see the live Friday Night Is Music Night concert.

I saw the Ray Charles tribute night last year and loved it. This year, the concert was to celebrate Georgie Fame’s 70th birthday. Fame himself was singing, along with Alan Price, Madeline Bell and Zoot Money.

And, of course, they were accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Guy Barker Big Band.

It was a great evening; last year when I went I didn’t really know what to expect but I really enjoyed it. This year I was more familiar with it and thought it was great too. The BBC Concert Orchestra sounded great and the personalities of the singers on stage were really good. To use that often clichéd phrase… Georgie Fame owned the stage!

Now as with last year’s event, I went with little knowledge about the music that would be played. Last year’s event got me in to Ray Charles’ music. This year’s event has got me in to Georgie Fame’s music.

I did have the advantage this year of knowing one of the tracks before the concert started: Yeh-Yeh! Other than that, my favorite songs from the concert were Flamingo All Nighter, Rosetta, the Old Music Master and Funny How Time Slips Away – and they are all ones I’d never heard until they were performed on Friday night.

It was a great night out and an excellent way to celebrate handing in my final piece of university work for this academic year. I’m looking forward to seeing what next year’s Jazz Festival will bring!

Beyond the Band

This year the Jazz Festival also has a “Beyond the Band” tent where a number of talks are going on.

Yesterday afternoon Anthony Cherry, the producer of Friday Night is Music Night – along with Assistant Producer Ruth Beazley – did a Radio Production talk. This discussion was chaired by my university lecturer Jim Beaman. That was very interesting and informative too, especially from the point of view of someone wanting to get in to producing after uni.
The Cheltenham Jazz Festival is still going on now – find out more at cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz.
Bye for now,
FH.

Katrina Brown Stem Cell Fund: Can You Donate?

Katrina Brown Urgently Needs Help Fundraising, and so far has Already Been Warmly Received...

After being exposed unknowingly to a stock of depleted uranium shells when she worked for the British Army as a medic in Iraq, Katrina Brown discovered she was suffering from radiation exposure. She was giving a fateful diagnosis and that appeared to be it. However, hope was not lost and Katrina found a doctor from Chicago who may hold a ray of light.

The only problem, the fee is set quite high due to America’s health care system and the NHS not being willing to help.

Many people would feel betrayed after being there for their country, and when they needed the country, getting short changed.

Despite this, with the help of her friends, and many strangers, Katrina has started to raise money. This is in part aided by the Wilts & Glos Standard hosting an appeal for her. If you wish to help raise money and to follow the campaign, then read some articles about her in the press.

Donations for the appeal can be made by a cheque made out to Newsquest Katrina Appeal to the Wilts and Glos Standard, 74 Dyer Street, Cirencester, GL7 2PW.

Follow her journey online:

https://www.facebook.com/KatrinasStemCellFund

Alice Maria Sparey comes to Somewhere Else!

Alice Maria Sparey

Alice Maria Sparey will perform at Somewhere Else, Cirencester on Friday April 19th, 21:00

Alice Maria Sparey is a Bristol based singer, who has not only embraced the singing world, but also the stylish world of Burlesque with the excellent Flaming Feathers troupe. Appearing solo at Somewhere Else this Friday, Alice is a confident performer who enjoys team work as much as intimate occasions.

The songs she chooses can come from a wide variety of

backgrounds, opera songs such as O'mio Babbino Caro from Gianni Sacchi as just as well delivered as hits by Stevie Wonder, Norah Jones, even a bit of Caroline King finds it's way in.

Having sung opera in Bath, Alice is also not averse to acting and has appeared in plays and short films.

Having recently been in Cirencester with the Flaming Feathers at the larger Barn Theatre, why not make her feel welcome again where this time you will be close enough to feel her breathe! The free entry event will be complimented by a selection of good food provided by Relish, and drink of a refined nature taken care of by the attentive bar staff.


Facebook Event:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/125779097613544/?fref=ts
Online Profile *click music heading for taster*
http://www.starnow.co.uk/alicemariasparey
Venue Address:
65 Castle Street, GL7 1QD Cirencester

West End Came to Cheltenham! MJ-UK entertain the P.A.C Theatre

Rowdy Fabon held MJ-UK in high regard on the 5th April, pictures by Emilia Nylen.

Fiddler on the Roof "Tradition"

For musical enthusiasts like me, what could be better than watching Les Miserables live? Being the ‘mother’ of all stage productions, seeing this Victor Hugo masterpiece brought to life seems to be the greatest experience of all but not until MJ-UK Music and Arts came up with the idea of combining some of the world’s best musicals into one theatrical extravaganza! To make it even more exciting, Cotswolds was their chosen destination as they brought West End to the lovely and endearing town of Cheltenham.
Maria Jagusz is the genius behind this spectacular event. She was trained at the Royal Northern College of Music and the National Opera Studio. The ensemble who took part in the entire production was extraordinarily good. Each and every one had their own shining moment making the whole show a display of talent and unparalleled excellence.
They opened with the incredible ‘Tradition’ piece taken from Fiddler on the Roof. It was flawless and full of energy. It was the perfect choice to kick off the evening as it positively set the overall mood and at the same time raised the bar to a high standard which was effortlessly maintained all throughout the show. It was immediately followed up by a few more songs from the same play and eventually moved on to present their dazzling renditions of some of the popular scenes from Blood Brothers, Seussical and West Side Story which included a marvellous interpretation of ‘America’.

Cat in the Hat

Just before the interval, one of the show’s highlights, ‘Sweeney Todd’ took the centre stage via a powerful performance of ‘There Was a Barber And His Wife’. This was instantaneously backed up by more notable songs from this famous play. Benjamin Maggs, who played Sweeney Todd, was incredible and could easily give Johnny Depp a run for his money! Megan Yates was equally amazing as she portrayed the complex Mrs. Lovett. The clarity in their delivery and the stage presence are spot on making it very entertaining piece to watch. Paul Bradley dodging the Barber`s blade was also faultless during "Pretty Women".

Ben Maggs and Paul Bradley

Right after the break, four more prominent productions were given the MJ-UK touch. Billy Elliot led the second batch with Henry Firth breathing life to this iconic character. His solo number was one of the ‘must-see’ in the whole show. Words are not enough to describe how genuine that performance was and the amount of talent this young lad has is just astonishing. The group’s versions of Secret Gardenand Chess came on next before they hit the

Daniel Jagusz-Holley

ultimate one, Les Miserables. This is the one I am most looking forward to and I do have high expectations from the troupe. As expected, they didn’t disappoint. The performances were solid, note-perfect and very amusing. Benjamin Maggs and Megan Yates are back to lead the cast as Jean Valjean and Fantine respectively. Megan Yate’s interpretation of ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ is now one of my favourites alongside Susan Boyle’s and Anne Hathaway’s. Some more stand-out performers include Daniel Jagusz-Holley as Marius and Biancha Szynal as Eponine. Both talents gave startling and refreshing portrayals of these important characters. Biancha’s ‘On My Own’ is my choice for the best vocal performance of the night. As expected, the show ended with their incredible version of ‘One Day More’ which is very similar, if not better, to what we saw in the film last year.

Farewell!

All in all, it was a fantastic show. I enjoyed every single bit of it. The idea itself is superb and it has all the potential to be big. It’s perfect for those who would want a taste of various musicals – it’s a genius concept. The lighting, the production design, the live music, the costumes and make up, everything lined up perfectly. The talent, especially of the young performers, is beyond compare and I am very proud to have the opportunity to witness them at this point because I know one day, they’ll be West End’s biggest superstars! Well done to Maria and to everyone at MJ-UK Music & Arts.
Rowdy Fabon

 

Rowdy Fabon

Dance Workshop: Rub Shoulders With Pros

April 4th (possible extra session will be added) Bingham Hall, Cirencester

During the Easter Holiday, two dancers quite at home on a theatre stage will now be helping others along their own journeys to show time. After having tap danced with Adam Garcia on a recent Positive Luxury advert, they are soon to be running a workshop in Cirencester at Bingham Hall.

Thomas Ashton

Thomas started dancing whilst studying at Cirencester College on the Performing Arts Btec in 2004, under the guidance of Katherine-Lucy Bates (Principal of Cirencester Creative Dance Acadamey).




Thomas Ashton

This kind of opportunity only came after years of work. He completed his BTEC course with a triple distinction. Afterwards, he choose to continue his studies in Dance and Performing Arts at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. Whilst at LIPA, Thomas studied Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary dance to name but a few, and got to work alongside such noted dancers and choreographers as Steve Nestar, Lavelle Smith Jr etc. Thomas graduated in 2011 with a first class honours and the prestigious dance award, voted for by the staff of LIPA.

Since graduating, Thomas has moved to London to further his career within the dance industry. So far he performed in several productions including ‘Echoes’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, ‘Grease’ with Future Cinema and The Smarta 100 Awards as part of Living The Dream Company, as well as being signed as a choreographer to top commercial agency Riven Productions, and being taken on as resident choreographer for Thinking Bob, an interactive events company which saw Thomas put on a production of ‘A Rocky Horror Picture Show’. Thomas has worked on "Resolutions 2013" at The Place as part of Wrecking Ball Dance Company. Much of which work can be seen on his YouTube channel. Thomas is currently choreographing Cheltenham Fashion Week.

www.youtube.com/ThomasAshtonDance

Camilla-Alicia Bates 

Camilla-Alicia Bates

"Millie" as she is affectionately known has a good deal in common with Thomas. She will also take part in Cheltenahm fashion week as a dancer. Camilla-Alicia started dance at CCDA, taking her ISTD examinations to a vocational level in Tap, Modern and Ballet. Along with dancing, Camilla sings which was displayed in her solo platform "9 to 5". She then went on to obtain a triple distinction in her BTEC in Performing Arts and Distinction in Dance Award. She auditioned and obtained several offers of places from the top dance & musical theatre schools including scholarships from Italia Conti, Millennium and Urdang Academy but decided to take up a place at Bird College, where she studied the BA Hons Degree in Dance and Theatre Performance.

During her course at Bird she was taught by many industry names among them David Leighton (XFactor) Mandy Montess (SYTYCD) and Nicki O’Hara. Since graduating in 2011 Camilla has been danced in London Fashion week for designer Meadham Kirchoff, done a 6 week singing & acting tour, acted in Under Milk Wood at the London New Cross Theatre and danced in a Bollywood film. She also has performed in three different shows at the International Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the most recent production being “Echoes” in 2011.

She has danced for Thinking Bob interactive events company and played the role of Magenta in their version of The Rocky Horror picture show. She teaches dance and musical theatre classes at various schools in London and hosts dance birthday parties for children under 12. As a young choreographer Camilla has directed the dancing for a viral video for an ice cream company and produced numerous show, festival and exams numbers. Camilla is currently rehearsing with a contemporary dance company for a performance in The Resolution season at The Place (LSCD). 

www.youtube.com/CamillaMillieBates
CCDA Web Presence:
danceline@CCDA.co.uk
www.CCDA.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/CcdaCirencesterCreativeDanceAcademy

West End Comes to Cheltenham: MJ-UK Music and Arts

https://www.facebook.com/MJUKMusicAndArts?fref=ts
Musicals and opera comes to Cheltenham's Parabola Arts Centre!
On April 3rd, 4th and 5th MJ-UK will be delivering their show "The West End Comes to Cheltenham". Being somewhat new to Cheltenham, MJ-UK have a strong following around other parts of the Cotswolds.

Past productions have included Sweeney Todd, Seussical, and La Boheme.

The show will include some hits from Les Miserables as a nod to the newly released Hollywood film.

Troupe leader Maria Jagusz is an experienced opera singer herself, and as a director very inclusive and able to refine peoples raw talent.

Though the remit of MJ-UK is to bring young people opportunities, some people attached to the group make opportunities for themselves. Some past and current members have or are developing professional careers in music, be it opera or pop.

Ben Maggs is one example. The songwriter from Cirencester was the lead in Sweeney Todd in 2012.

Now the Troupe is coming to the refined environment of the Parabola theater, take the opportunity to see the group on a wonderful stage!
Tickets: 01242 707 338
www.ParabolaArtsCentre.co.uk
http://mj-uk.co.uk/MJUK/right_now%21.html

Music At Somewhere Else

Grab a seat!

Music at Somewhere Else

Somewhere Else is well known for its food and drink in Cirencester. Open from 08:30 to 00:00 most days, great and healthy refreshment is provided by Relish, as well as more indulgent options covering the lattes and liquors of the world.

From 29^th March music will become a fixture for the next few weeks, culminating in a “Cafe Open Mic” where regulars and newcomers will be welcome to take to the stage on April 14^th. 

Whether you’re tried and tested looking to network, or wanting to develop your skills, it will be the day for you.

Friday 29^th sees duo Lewi and Josh play recent chart covers and classic Beatles songs. Evan Burgess will be performing on the night, interpreting artists as diverse as Johnny Cash, Depeche Mode and Nat King Cole.

Not long after, Easter Sunday has the Tourettes playing their particular style of harmonised covers. Whether it’s Crowded House or Spandau Ballet, people will be able to sing along or get up and dance.

April 5^th will be a different flavour all together, with female vocalist group Sounds of Soul coming in with Tempations, Stevie Wonder and Sade covers.

On April 14^th, it's Open Mic! If you’ve ever wanted to play at Somewhere Else, here’s your chance. On a laid back Sunday afternoon, no one will be lairy but supportive and chatty. If you do need a drink to build up your courage, that certainly won’t be a problem as the venue is fully licensed. But if you’re a non-drinker used to music in pubs, you definitely won’t be told the coffee machine's switched off!

See www.somewhereelse.co.uk for menu.