It's been a while, but the 7th is coming...

Blimey, I forgot what hard work was like. Can't keep my eyes open. Make that my eye. I've been arranging, performing, improvising, harmonising, rythming, essaying, composing, marketing... and sleeping. And a bit of eating to keep it all going. Why can't I be one of those types from whom stress induces a stunning weight loss? Instead my metabolism decides to have big fun and then goes to sleep. Harsh. It doesn't help when Ocado go and send me a free bar of chocolate with my food delivery - I didn't ask for it! Thanks though.

So, a great gig at The Progress Bar. Thanks all for coming along. Great band - Bruno, Jay and Jon were fab. And now, it's 606 time. Hope you've all got it in your diaries and are calling up to book as I write. That's Wednesday 7th December, early set. Feel free to tell anyone you meet about it. You know people deserve to come along. Why not start up a conversation on the tube and tell people about it? Ok, I'm pushing it. These thing do happen up North, though. Perhaps the northern contingent can have real, live conversations with people and let them know to get on down to the 606 on Wednesday 7th December. The rest of you can just forward the email I send out - you know it's coming - to everyone on your address list. Think of it as your good deed for the week...

We had a great Small Band gig last night at the Guildhall. Top tunes and a bit of tight playing. Very nice. I think we should get them listed in Jazz in London so people know when we're getting down. I shall have a word... Our bandmeister was Dill Katz and he was just excellent. Top bloke. He's on at the 606 tonight - why not pop along.

Other than that, not much to report. Not entirely sure when I'm going to fit the Christmas shopping in. I think my internet shopping skills are going to come in to their own. It's not really fair offering shopping opportunities on the net too. It means you don't have to make any effort to spend money and buy things and that just about equals pure heaven for me. Too tempting. Bit like free chocolate...

Anyway, it's exercise day today. It's a bit brass monkeys so I don't think I'll be gracing Clapham Common with my heaving presence. More likely we'll be boxing in the hall of my building. Good job none of the residents come down the stairs with photographic equipment this early in the morning. It's just not a pleasant sight. Talking of which, for those of you who have clicked for a pic of me on the 606 website December listing, that isn't me with the beard. I think they've got the photo slightly muddled up. And it's Rachel, just one 'a'. But I'm being picky...

And did I mention Wednesday 7th December at the 606, Lots Road, early set, Pete Churchill, Dave Wickins and Simon Thorpe. Excellent. Oh, and before I forget, I've got a date at The Bull's Head in Barnes on 13th January, a Friday, which will see the Swingin' Cat crew reunited - Steve Lodder and Andy Hamill are on board. You can start booking your 2006 social calendar now. How kind and thoughtful am I?

Rx

I just scored...

...no, don't get excited. I've actually just finished my very first band arrangement (score...geddit?) of an original R E Brand composition. Hahahahahaha! Can't quite believe it myself either. I think kiss has been my guiding principle throughout - that's 'keep it simple, stupid' for those of you not used to playing management consultancy buzzword bingo. Those were the days... It's called 'In the Projects' - a funky, John Schofield (oh yes!) inspired piece and it rocks, man. Or should that be it jazzes? Whatever. I've still got to print it out tomorrow night after a quick proof read. I used to be a fantastic proofreader but now, even with my rather swanky magnifying glass, I can't really tell a comma from a full stop so it might be a slightly loose arrangement... Let's hope my printer can stand the pace.

I've just got to write a research proposal now. I've done the leg work, just need to get the words to flow from my fingers. I'm looking into jazz education and its appositeness (get me) for jazz singers as opposed to jazz instrumentalists. I have to say, on all jazz courses I've been on where there has been a mix of singers and instrumentalists, the pendulum of appositeness certainly seems to have swung in the instrumentalist's direction. I won't get up on my soap box, honestly, but I really feel there might be a different way. You'll have to give me a bit of slack on this one, but I'm most intrigued. I've tracked down a brilliantly entitled article called 'Singers are from Krypton and Instrumentalists are from Ork' by Michele Weir, Jazz Educators Journal, May 1998. I haven't read it yet - it's in the post - but I get the feeling it might just hit the spot. I'd be most intrigued to hear if anyone else has had musings in this direction or if they know of anyone else who has. Do drop me a 'comment'.

Ah well, bed time. It's improvisation and harmony tomorrow - bit of a killer day - so I'd better get some brain rest or go and eat a large tin of oily fish.

Oh, and it's my birthday next week if anyone's interested... Just thought I'd slip that in.

Greetings from Krypton.

Rx