A Lark Ascending Posted May 6, 2012 Report Posted May 6, 2012 Question for sidewinder: July 22nd, 2012 - Mike Westbrook Big Band: The Drewe Arms, Drewsteignton, Devon EX6 6QN As I mentioned in the weather thread, this fits nicely with my holiday plans as I head back to civilisation for a couple of weeks. I've booked a campsite nearby for a couple of nights. Ringing the pub they were a bit vague about this concert - suspect I got someone not very high up in the pecking order - so I'll ring back a bit closer to the time. How have you got your ticket in the past? Quote
sidewinder Posted May 6, 2012 Report Posted May 6, 2012 (edited) Question for sidewinder: July 22nd, 2012 - Mike Westbrook Big Band: The Drewe Arms, Drewsteignton, Devon EX6 6QN As I mentioned in the weather thread, this fits nicely with my holiday plans as I head back to civilisation for a couple of weeks. I've booked a campsite nearby for a couple of nights. Ringing the pub they were a bit vague about this concert - suspect I got someone not very high up in the pecking order - so I'll ring back a bit closer to the time. How have you got your ticket in the past? Check Mike and Kate Westbrook's site for details of their diary. An email to the board admin should provide further details. At that last concert I was able to buy a ticket at the door, no problem. The place is not very big - they probably have to vacate cows out of the barn before the concert. Damn cool place IMO. Edited May 6, 2012 by sidewinder Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted May 6, 2012 Report Posted May 6, 2012 Thanks, sidewinder. I rang the pub via the contact details on the Westbrook site. I'll leave it till early July to try again. Like the idea of small - one of the most exciting big band gigs I saw was Mike Gibbs with the Creative Jazz Orchestra in the 90s in the back room of a pub in Sheffield. Quote
jazzscriveyn Posted May 11, 2012 Report Posted May 11, 2012 ... The place is not very big - they probably have to vacate cows out of the barn before the concert. Damn cool place IMO. In the top left corner of this photo, which indeed was taken at the June 2007 "Village Band" gig in Drewesteignton, you can see the last of the cattle leaving before the music starts. Getting a ticket on the spot was all right for me too, once I had found someone willing to take my money. ok, it was just a frisian patterned chair Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted May 11, 2012 Report Posted May 11, 2012 In the top left corner of this photo, which indeed was taken at the June 2007 "Village Band" gig in Drewesteignton, you can see the last of the cattle leaving before the music starts. Getting a ticket on the spot was all right for me too, once I had found someone willing to take my money. Maybe I'll stand by the door with some tickets I've made! Love the thought of the fresh smell of dung to accompany an evening of jazz. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted July 22, 2012 Report Posted July 22, 2012 Excellent Westbrook big band concert in the beer garden of the Drewe Arms this afternoon - 2 hours of Ellington, a few standards and originals. High point was an extended arrangement of 'Johnny Come Lately' with the tenor convinced he was Gonsalvez at Newport. The weather was idyllic, the beer tasty and the smoked fish salad delicious. I forgive the rest of the summer to this point. Quote
mjazzg Posted July 22, 2012 Report Posted July 22, 2012 I forgive the rest of the summer to this point. Really? that must have been one hell of a concert. Or maybe one hell of a beer. Enjoy sunny Cornwall, Bev Quote
sidewinder Posted July 23, 2012 Report Posted July 23, 2012 (edited) Excellent Westbrook big band concert in the beer garden of the Drewe Arms this afternoon - 2 hours of Ellington, a few standards and originals. High point was an extended arrangement of 'Johnny Come Lately' with the tenor convinced he was Gonsalvez at Newport. The weather was idyllic, the beer tasty and the smoked fish salad delicious. I forgive the rest of the summer to this point. Damn - I'd completely forgotten about it. Work has got completely in the way over the past couple of months. I see there's more concerts on at 'Hanna's' so that will likely be my next port of call. Yes, the food at the Drewe Arms is pretty good ! Glad to hear that it went well and that the weather was kind. with the tenor convinced he was Gonsalvez at Newport. That would be either Lou Gare ... or Gary Bayley. Edited July 23, 2012 by sidewinder Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted July 23, 2012 Report Posted July 23, 2012 (edited) Gary Bayley - unknown to me as were most of the band. Alan Wakeman was next to him and also soloed well. Yes, they're doing a few concerts over the summer in the south-west. There's a rave review of a recent pair of concerts in this month's jazz wise. As the reviewer says, London gets Wynton and the Lincoln centre band, Devon gets Westbrook. No contest. Edited July 23, 2012 by A Lark Ascending Quote
sidewinder Posted July 24, 2012 Report Posted July 24, 2012 (edited) Wow - Alan Wakeman in the lineup. Good to hear ! I heard that Gary (a mainstay of the Exeter/Devon scene) is currently doing a PhD in Westbrook-ology/British Jazz (somethng along those lines). Now there's an academic subject that could get me excited ! Will be sure to check out at least one of those forthcoming Newton Abbott concerts. Stuff Wynton ! Edited July 24, 2012 by sidewinder Quote
jazzscriveyn Posted July 24, 2012 Report Posted July 24, 2012 Glad you made it to Devon, Bev. And the weather turning round just in time. ... I heard that Gary ... is currently doing a PhD in Westbrook-ology/British Jazz ... Yes, on Mike Westbrook, due to finish around the end of the year. Will be sure to check out at least one of those forthcoming Newton Abbott concerts. Be sure to take the car; it's quite a bit outside of N.A. London gets Wynton and the Lincoln centre band, Devon gets Westbrook. No contest.Stuff Wynton ! The Ayes have it! There are a couple of reviews for the Newton Abbot Ellington concert at the Westbrooks' newsletter #92 here: http://www.westbrookjazz.co.uk/sai/index.shtml Lou Gare @ open rehearsal day last month (Hannahs, Seale-Hayne, Newton Abbot) Quote
sidewinder Posted July 27, 2012 Report Posted July 27, 2012 Be sure to take the car; it's quite a bit outside of N.A. Thanks - car is the only option I have and I'll allow lots of time as I'm sure to get lost finding it ! Quote
Chris_T Posted July 31, 2012 Report Posted July 31, 2012 Alan Wakeman was a replacement for Lou Gare who was unwell for The Drewe Arms and St. Ives. Lou was back in fiery form (by Mike Westbrook's account) for the gig at Hannahs. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted August 11, 2012 Report Posted August 11, 2012 Some pictures off the iPhone from 22nd July. Note the traditional Devonian costumes being worn by the band: Quote
sidewinder Posted August 11, 2012 Report Posted August 11, 2012 Nice photos. Great to see Mike W. back on electric keyboard ! Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted August 11, 2012 Report Posted August 11, 2012 Nice photos. Great to see Mike W. back on electric keyboard ! He only played for a few minutes. Keyboards were played by a young chap called Billy Bottle (who sounds as if he might have absconded from a ship of the line in Plymouth harbour). Mike directed for the bulk of the performance. Quote
sidewinder Posted October 27, 2012 Report Posted October 27, 2012 (edited) Caught the gig at Barnstaple last night after a crazy drive over the top of Exmoor. Alan Wakeman was in on alto (and played superbly) but otherwise the lineup seems to be pretty well as per the Drewe Arms gig mentioned above. Lou Gare back in the lineup as well and contributed some really excellent clarinet solos. A varied, well-paced couple of sets at the old Queen's Theatre as part of the Barnstaple 'Fringe' - lots of Ellingtonia, a bit of Weill/Brecht to feature Kate's vocals and (pleasingly) a good scattering of Westbrook originals including an extended 'On Duke's Birthday', a Chris McGregor tribute and an extended variation on 'Johnny Come Lately'. Good stuff and - one has to say - how refreshing it is to hear a 'real' big band. Edited October 27, 2012 by sidewinder Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted October 27, 2012 Report Posted October 27, 2012 Caught the gig at Barnstaple last night after a crazy drive over the top of Exmoor. Alan Wakeman was in on alto (and played superbly) but otherwise the lineup seems to be pretty well as per the Drewe Arms gig mentioned above. Lou Gare back in the lineup as well and contributed some really excellent clarinet solos. A varied, well-paced couple of sets at the old Queen's Theatre as part of the Barnstaple 'Fringe' - lots of Ellingtonia, a bit of Weill/Brecht to feature Kate's vocals and (pleasingly) a good scattering of Westbrook originals including an extended 'On Duke's Birthday', a Chris McGregor tribute and an extended variation on 'Johnny Come Lately'. Good stuff and - one has to say - how refreshing it is to hear a 'real' big band. Great! Pleased it went so well. Let's hope we hear that 'Johnny Come Lately' (and other new stuff) soon. I'm hoping Mike arranges another Drewe Arms gig to fit in with my holidays next year! Quote
sidewinder Posted October 27, 2012 Report Posted October 27, 2012 (edited) It was certainly worth the expedition and the 2nd mortgage for the fuel to get there ! I did get student discount for the admission though. I'm hoping that they do one of their Xmas gigs this year - either the Brass Band or the Big Band - in the Exeter/Teignmouth area. So far, now word on the Westbrook site. Edited October 27, 2012 by sidewinder Quote
Chris_T Posted October 27, 2012 Report Posted October 27, 2012 Information about an Xmas Westbrook Big Band gig will be going on the diary page over this weekend. Watch that space: Mike Westbrook's Diary Quote
jazzscriveyn Posted November 9, 2012 Report Posted November 9, 2012 Here's a link to yesterday's Telegraph article on the Trio's 30th anniversary. - And, here below, a screenshot from the Telegraph website Quote
sidewinder Posted November 10, 2012 Report Posted November 10, 2012 (edited) Here's a link to yesterday's Telegraph article on the Trio's 30th anniversary. - And, here below, a screenshot from the Telegraph website Strange - All I see is something about Britney Spears writing novels ! Edited November 10, 2012 by sidewinder Quote
jazzscriveyn Posted November 10, 2012 Report Posted November 10, 2012 Here's a link to yesterday's Telegraph article on the Trio's 30th anniversary. - And, here below, a screenshot from the Telegraph website Strange - All I see is something about Britney Spears writing novels ! I was just thinking how chuffed the Rolling Stones, Yoko Ono & Co. should be to be up there in the news with the Westbrooks Quote
jazzscriveyn Posted December 1, 2012 Report Posted December 1, 2012 If you can read French, here is a review for last Sunday's Paris performance of the Westbrook Trio: http://www.jazzmagaz...-paul-fort-2511 Quote
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