Stallholders chatting in the sun before the market

Abbey Leys Farm

5th May
Yesterday I was gigging with party band Soulfire at Notley Abbey in Bucks. The band has a funky style perfect for dancing and the midnight curfew seemed to come around quickly. I look forward to more gigs with them this Summer.

Notley Abbey Soulfire

21st April
On Saturday night I travelled into darkest Yorkshire to play at a 50th Birthday party at the Manor Golf Club in Bradford. The evening had a film theme so I played a selection of tunes from the movies including Moon River, As Time Goes By and several Bond songs. The guests had made a real effort with the costumes, we had Laurel and Hardy, Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn making an appearance, the gentleman in the Borat swimsuit deserves a special mention for cheek (both of them!).

A sunny evening for the gig

On Friday I was back with Jason Kester and the Believers. It has been a while since we played together so it was good to catch up with the guys in the band, also Adrian Burns, DJ and tambourine player extraodinaire. We were at a fundraiser on Shropshire County Showground, it was a chilly night so the audience needed a bit of coaxing onto the dancefloor but once they were up we had a very good reception.

Ade and Lucy our singer at the soundcheck

Jason Kester and the Believers

Yesterday I had to sneak into Lymm Tennis Club as part of a surprise 40th Birthday party. There were a lot of friends and relatives seeing to important jobs like putting up balloons and stopping determined children from eating all the cake, so by the time the Birthday boy arrived everything looked very colourful. The music went down extremely well, I even got a special round of applause for keeping a game of balloon football going with one of the smaller guests while hurtling through Sweet Georgia Brown. They don’t teach you that kind of thing at college.

Lymm Tennis Club being spruced up for the occasion

1st April
This Sunday I was back at Abbey Leys farmers market playing some Jazz for the customers. We had a bright, sunny day so I set up to play outside, entertaining people as they browsed the stalls. There is a wide range of produce on show ranging from ice-cream and chocolate to pies, cheese and Little Heath Farm’s fabulous sausages. Jane’s home-made bread is always popular and the Dunham apple juice was selling well in the sun.
The farm shop is well worth a visit on non-market days for the organic eggs, fruit and veg, cakes and pies.

Abbey Leys Jane’s Bread

keeping guard on the flower stall

25th March
The Bourbon Street Preachers were back at the Lloyds Hotel in Chorlton on a hot Spring Saturday for a very special night, it was Dave our bandleader’s 60th and he celebrated with a gig including guest spots from many of the musicians he’s worked with. The band took the first spot with our usual mix of Cajun and Blues numbers which went down well, outbreaks of dancing occuring from the first number. Things really heated up in the second set as members of other bands got up, at one point we had three saxes and a tuba augmenting the line-up, slightly insane onstage but the audience loved it. Many thanks to everyone who came down to support us and to the bar staff for their sterling work as usual.

The Birthday Boy

Bourbon Street Preachers The Lloyds

10th March
Out with the Rumble Fat Band again this week, we were performing in Kearsley near Bolton at the Black Horse, a friendly pub that has regular live music nights. The singer received a great deal of help from the bar area as the night wore on, some of it more enthusiastic than tuneful but nice to see everyone enjoying themselves. We did Mustang Sally as a special request for the landlord so hope that has earned us another booking.

The Rumble Fat Band

The RFBs in glorious action

3rd March
A great night with Soulmen The Rumble Fat Band at The Old Pelican in Timperley on Saturday, there was a 60th Birthday in as well as the pub regulars which made for a packed dancefloor. Thanks to everyone who came up to chat, glad you enjoyed the music and the chocolate cake was much appreciated too!

Keith of the Rumblefats looking pensive

Up very early the following day (always a shock to musicians) for Abbey Leys Farmers Market. I performed several sets between nine and one, as well as the live music there were many stalls from local suppliers selling wonderful produce including pies, cheese, honey and preserves. Jane’s bread stall as popular as ever, loaves, rolls and other items all freshly made that day.

Abbey Leys Jane’s Bread

One of Jane's Chelsea Buns

26th Feb
Fantastic gig on Saturday night with The Bourbon Street Preachers at The Bleachworks in Bolton. The band plays a mix of New Orleans style music, Blues and Cajun songs, which seemed to hit the right note with the crowd, there were some very impressive dance moves going on. The venue is a new one, a members club in a very nice conversion of the bleachworks and seems to have a good client base already, hope to be back soon.

The Bourbon Street Preachers The Bleachworks

Feb 16th
On Valentines Day I was performing in the fabulous Simla restaurant near Tamworth. It was quite a long gig with the restaurant fully booked for the evening, I played a mix of classic romantic numbers from my Pop and Soul repertoire and some upbeat contemporary songs for the younger crowd. Marvin Gaye is still a popular choice for all ages it seems.
Thanks to the diners for a very warm reception and to the staff for their hospitality, the food was excellent, I would have no hesitation in recommending it to fans of Indian cuisine in the area.

Simla

Feb 5th
Today I did a session at Abbey Lees Farm near Knutsford providing some music for their farmers market, which takes place on the first Sunday of each month. I was playing in the barn between nine and one entertaining the customers (and assorted chickens) while they browsed. There was a smaller turnout than usual due to the freezing weather, getting up the lane was a feat in itself, but I received many nice comments about the music and have been booked for the next one on March 4th.
The market is well worth a visit with many local suppliers selling wonderful produce, as well as the farm itself which has a great range of organic goods including eggs from their speciality hens, many of whom you can meet roaming freely around the yard. Don’t miss Jane’s bread stall while you are there, fabulous home-made bread baked that day, and if the queue’s too daunting Jane takes advance orders through her website.

Abbey Lees Farm Jane’s Bread

A slightly confused Abbey Lees chicken

Jan 1st
Saw the New Year in in style with the Rumble Fat Band at Reddish WMC in Stockport. We played four sets in the course of the night, the Soul and Motown was favourite with the dancers although we saw some fine disco moves to Earth Wind and Fire. The partygoers fortified themselves with a packed lunch and carried on till 1 am. Thanks to the club for making us welcome and hope to be back soon.

The Rumble Fat Band

I was appearing at Hoar Cross Hall in Staffs on Friday with guitarist Jason Kester. Jason and I usually work together in his band the Believers so it was a nice change to do a duo gig together. The first set was quite laid back as it was early in the evening, we ran through some of our Jazz repertoire and then livened things up as guests came through from the dining room. Things finished on quite a high with everyone up dancing, another enjoyable night.

Jason Kester Hoar Cross Hall

23rd Dec
Another last-minute booking yesterday with Jason Kester and the Believers at The Ashes, Endon, for a Wedding. The venue is a beautifully converted set of farm buildings and the band enjoyed playing to an enthusiastic crowd there. The bride and groom kicked the evening off with a choreographed version of I Want to Hold Your Hand, after which it was non-stop party classics till midnight, the musicians sharing the honours with old mate DJ Adrian Burns.

Jason Kester The Ashes

18th Dec
This weekend has been very busy. On Friday I travelled up to the Lake district with members of Soulfire to play a lunchtime gig at Centre Parcs in Penrith. The music was very well received and the journey was spectacular in the snow but the traffic jams on the way back weren’t quite as enjoyable. I managed to make it back in time for my evening performance with The Rumble Fat Band at Everton FC, where we rocked a party till midnight with Soul and Disco classics.
I was settling down for a well-earned chill day on Saturday when I got a last-minute call out from Jason Kester and the Believers. After rapidly sprucing myself up and heading into the wilds of Staffordshire we played for a great party crowd who enjoyed everything from Rock and Roll to this year’s hits with a few seasonal numbers in the mix of course, what’s a party without Slade at this time of year?

Soulfire Centre Parcs The Rumble Fat Band Everton FC Jason Kester

10th Dec
Yesterday I played for the opening night of Ludus Bar in Liverpool. The venue is on Bold Street right in the heart of Liverpool 1, contemporary and stylish upstairs with the downstairs styled as a 1920′s speakeasy which was very popular with the crowd. The music was appropriate to the surroundings, a Soul/Funk set in the bar early on, then moving downstairs for some Jazz, Al Capone himself would have felt very comfortable if he’d happened to pop in . I left about 11 and the party was still going strong with canapes and cocktails keeping the guests happy.

Ludus Bar

4th Dec
On Saturday I was at Everton FC with The Rumble Fat Band playing for a private event. There is never a problem getting the residents of Liverpool into the party mood and there were soon plenty of dancers up for both the band and the DJ, we had a fine rendition of “Delilah” still going on as we carried our equipment down the stairs at 1.30 am. Looking forward to another date there in a couple of weeks.

The Rumble Fat Band Everton FC

20th Nov
Yesterday I visited the Bridge Hotel in Prestbury to play for a Wedding breakfast with pianist and singer Guy Porteous. I have known Guy for some time but this was the first time we have worked together, he’s a versatile and tasteful player and the whole evening went very well. When I left Guy was setting up in the restaurant with regular duo partner singer Sue Baker, they are there every Friday and Saturday, well worth catching if you are in the area.

Guy Porteous The Bridge

On Friday I had my first visit to Rookery Hall, a beautiful 19th century house near Nantwich. I was working with members of Soulfire playing Jazz and Swing, while guests from a Civil Ceremony mingled and had their photos taken in the Weaver Bar before the DJ started the dance music for the evening. The atmosphere was very relaxed and we even had a couple of dancers.
Earlier this week, I was back in Centre Parcs in Penrith, also with the Soulfire crew playing for the diners underneath a very imposing array of tropical vegitation, kept an eye out for falling coconuts but fortunately the band emerged unscathed.

Soulfire Rookery Hall Centre Parcs

13 Nov
This weekend I have been working with The Rumble Fat Band in Warrington. The band have been together on and off since the 60′s and specialise in the classic Soul and Motown repertoire with a few Disco numbers thrown in to keep the dance floor full. We were playing at social clubs, Friday was the Pierpoint and Bryant and Saturday at the Rylands (after we found the secret alleyway that only the locals know ), a very friendly reception on both nights, nice to see some neighbourhood clubs still supported by the local community.
I have also been updating my publicity shots with Brendan Knight, an extremely talented photographer, we had a walk round Dunham to take advantage of the beautiful scenery in the sun. Always a bit awkward for shy musicians posing for pics but it has to be done, freshening up the website with the results when Brendan’s worked his magic.

The Rumble Fat Band Brendan Knight

30th Oct
Spectacular drive across the North Yorkshire moors yesterday with all the trees in full Autumn colour, very tempted to get out for a stroll but I was heading for Grinkle Park Hotel to play at the Wedding of Lynsey and Lee. The hotel is an imposing manor house and I was set up in a corner of the cosy lounge area to provide music for the drinks reception. It was a very pleasant afernoon and thanks to all the guests who came up to chat about the music, glad you enjoyed it.

Grinkle Park

22nd Oct
Out with Soul stalwarts the Rumble Fat Band in Liverpool this weekend. We were playing for the members at St Aloysius Catholic Club in Liverpool where we had a very good night, the band were, of course, suitably silent for the bingo!

Rumble Fat Band

15th Oct
Just one gig this weekend with Jason Kester and the Believers, a 60th Birthday bash in the intimate surroundings of the family garage which had been transformed for the occasion into a nightclub. The band entertained dancers, the neighbours horses and a border collie into the small hours fuelled only by jacket potatoes.
I should also have been appearing with the Rumble Fat Band at the Pelican in Timperley but this had to be postponed as our singer was indisposed, so Committed to Blues did a fine job standing in for us. We hope to be back there soon with our regular line-up.

Jason Kester The Rumble Fat Band

Links for more information about some of the artists mentioned can be found here
Rumble Fat Band Bourbon Street Preachers Richard Smith

If you would like to see some pictures of bands I work with, please visit my Flickr site.

Dark Forest Records

The most recent session has been with Jason Kester and the Believers in Stoke. We recorded some covers for the party band and also an original song written by the band’s singer Lucy, and Jason, the bandleader. If you would like to hear one of the tracks, please click on Rockin’ Robin.

I have also posted some of my recordings on youtube, please click on SaxDiamond if you would like to listen to these.

Last year was a busy one for recording, covering some diverse styles, Blues to Bhangra. Most recent studio work has been a pop track for Dark Forest Records in St Helens, due for release next year.

Earlier in 2010, I played tenor and soprano sax on an album by Leeds-based prog-rock band Manning. The album, called Charlestown, has now been released and received some excellent reviews. It is available from www.guymanning.com

The farm shop is well worth a visit between markets for fruit and veg, lovely cakes and pies and of course their own organic eggs, watch out for the chickens on your way in, they are extremely free-range.

the farm staff working hard

Abbey Leys Farm Jane’s Bread The Chocolate Tailor Curry by Shen

Vintage Teas