Monday 30 January 2012

Big 10 & The Skanx

This Friday is the first public gig of the year for Big 10, at The Junction in Cambridge. We're definitely looking forward to this one, as we've brought our London pals, The Skanx, up to support. They're a 9 piece ska band, mostly originals (a few cheeky covers) and a huge sound. Here's a video of them playing Oxford last year.



As well as that marvellous bunch, Big 10 have new songs in the set, and new merchandise too. Details of tickets and times can be found here.

See you down the front.

Friday 27 January 2012

New Ska Website

One Ska band I gig with regularly is Ska Wars, a Leeds/London based (yes, really) band who have got a shiny new website!

Lead by Bobba Fatt, we play all the regular ska covers, and a few that don't turn up in the usual 2tone set. I've been called for Horntrooper duty several times now, and I bloody love it.

I'll be gigging with them in Blackpool next month, I'll post details on my gig page as soon as they're confirmed. In the meantime check out the website www.skawars.net

Wednesday 25 January 2012

Cambridge Wind Band

To keep my reading skills sharp, and in all honesty, because I love it - I've joined a wind band this month. Cambridge Wind Band is a new venture (they still have a few vacancies for trombones, bass clarinet) and after only two weeks is sounding like a band that's been together for years.

It's not Ska, but still sounds like the side of a house. This recording of North Texas Wind Orchestra performing 'Toccata Marziale' by Vaughan-Williams is one of my all-time favourites, and contains some of the best counterpoint ever written. Enjoy.



If you are interested in joining, or would like to know about our concert dates, please email cambridgewindband@gmail.com

Thursday 5 January 2012

Happy New Year!

Ok, so I'm a few days late.

Looking back at 2011, it was an amazing last year with lots of gigs, meeting new friends, joining new bands and of course, leaving one very special old one.

2011 was the year I found Big 10 and left Popes of Chillitown, although I'm recording the album with them this month. It was the year the Voodoo Trombone Quartet opened for Bellowhead at Chagstock, and we managed to record our 3rd album in half the time the 2nd one took.

2011 was the year I decided my chosen career as a Ska Saxophonist. 2012 is the year I get on with it.