Some of you may remember the jazz duo @swing47 I play in with @daniellemurray. We did some festivals, gigs and busking a few years back, but have been doing other projects lately. We could be playing at Balstock again this year, so are trying to get back into those tunes. We got a gig at The Angel's Share in Hitchin this weekend. We had a couple of hours to fill, so the set was in several parts.
First of all Danille and I played with her on clarinet and me on ukulele. We had not really rehearsed this, so worked through a few tunes I could manage. I did a bit of singing, with variable results. It was not a huge audience, but we love to play anyway. I have edited together some excerpts from the set. You get Fly Me To The Moon from that part.
Next it was Danielle on recorders with Bob on flute playing some traditional tunes. I joined in for some on cajon. We did have some issues as we used backing tracks that could be hard to hear. Askokan Farewell sounded nice with the big recorder. That got a few compliments.
We ended with me switching to guitar for some more jazzy tunes. Bob joined us on the last few ending with Minor Swing.
The day had been really wet, but it was a nice evening in the Arcade. Quite a few people wandered by and some seemed to appreciate the music. We have been asked to play next weekend as well, but it could be really hot so we will see if it is viable. We are doing this for fun and sweating buckets would not be.
That is my second gig in the last month and we have another planned for next month with the jazz band. This evening I almost forgot that I had a drum lesson, but I made it there and had a fun time working on various technique.
Rock on!
▶️ 3Speak
It was a really fun evening -- some great playing from everyone! It's a good venue to busk from because the sound you make echoes down the little covered arcade that was once a carriage and stable yard.
I assume people in the market square can hear us. It is a nice venue, but maybe not if it's roasting next Sunday.
!LUV
You can never go wrong with Fly me to the Moon!
It's a cool song, but there's so many chords! It just about works on the uke. That's the most I've played in ages and my hands were struggling by the end.
The ones with loads of chords can be exhausting. My hands get knackered too
The guitar stuff is all barre chords. I just don't play so much guitar these days. Minor Swing uses a 'Django' shape that you just slide up and down. I don't get too deep on the jazzy chords. I simplify some of them.
I remember years ago I saw some simplified jazz chords in a guitar magazine. My friends were blown away at how adepr I had become. Even though it was two shapes just moved about! Probably the same or similar ones!
I think it's years since I learnt a new chord 😁 It may be time to add one or two.
That sounds so fun! And how cool that you and @alessandrawhite were both playing in Hitchins last weekend.
It's a shame we couldn't have met up. I hope she had a bigger audience. Hitchin has a festival going on, but I've not looked into what is happening. Our gig was not part of it.
Yes, she was playing in St Mary’s Church with the British Clarinet Association as part of the official Hitchin Fest program but I like your busking vibe. It’s good to have variety!
Hitchin has a pretty good cultural scene. I just don't get to much, but we do a fair bit with the guy who runs the bar.
Sounds like a good guy to know! 🍺
This is awesome my friend.... good to see you playing live!!
Cheers. It's great playing with these guys.
Love the swing and jazz vibes!!
Did you record whole songs, too? The most important thing is that you had fun doing the gig! 🍻
We have videos of the whole set, but I don't expect people to sit through it all and wanted to give a taster. This is really about playing live music and I'd love people to come along and see us if they can.
To be honest, we had not rehearsed much and so some of the songs were not as good as they might be. I picked out some of the best bits.
I enjoyed watching. I didn't know you're into music. You played the ukulele and guitar effortlessly. You all had fun, and I also love how Bob and @daniellemurray played the flute and recorders.
Moments like this are unforgettable.
Beautiful, I loved it, I liked the ending with the guitar, I hope you can perform again if it's feasible, greetings
Congratulations on gigs!
"Fly Me To The Moon" is a classic choice; I bet it struck a chord with everyone who came by :)
🎉🎉🥳 Congratulations 🥳🎊🎊
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keep up the good work
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