jazz changes

VOX JUST KEEP ON ROLLIN’…

2010 has already seen some of the best and diverse new gear from VOX with the arrival of new guitars, hybrid amps and amps for acoustic & bass players. Now, Vox are rolling out even more great guitar gear with 15 new products on the way, making 2010 one of the most prolific years for VOX in decades.

The new product line up includes something for everyone, from flagship hand-wired valve AC30 & AC15s to smaller micro amps like the valve powered Lil’ Night Train. The new Valvetronix+ range pushes the realms of modeling technology even further with more amp models, more effects and more power. For practicing at home take a look at the mains/battery operated mini3 modeling amp or the new AC1 Rhythm Vox - a great jam-along desktop amp. Last but by no means least, Vox have also been continuing their work with the legendary Joe Satriani who has helped to develop the 7th amPlug featuring Joe’s signature lead tone with your choice of delay on or off.

THE HAND-WIRED SERIES
Turret board construction and hand-wiring make this the ultimate amp featuring an all valve design including a valve rectifier and Master Volume bypass section. The two-channels provide both Normal and Top Boost tone with the added bonus of a unique HOT/COOL switch giving a rich versatile voicing and a classic powerful sound.

Models: AC15HW1 • AC15HW1X • AC30HW2 • AC30HW2X • AC30HWH • V212HWX
Full info at www.voxamps.com/handwired

VALVETRONIX+

Delivering the perfect fusion of great tube amp sound and cutting-edge modeling technology, the Valvetronix series is once again powerfully and dynamically reborn, offering a larger number of highly evolved amp models than ever before. From the convenient and portable VT20+ to the dual-speaker VT120+, the new VALVETRONIX+ Series delivers the guitar sounds sought after by discerning guitarists of every style.

Models: VT20+ • VT40+ • VT80+ • VT120+
Full info at www.voxamps.com/valvetronixplus

Lil’ NIGHT TRAIN & V110NT
Welcome the Lil’ Night Train; at under 3 kilograms, it carries this same minimalist flair and portability as the original VOX Night Train to an all new level! Two 12AX7 preamp valves and a single 12AU7 power tube provide authentic VOX tone in this ultra-compact 2-watt head along with the V110NT cabinet, offering a 10-inch Celestion VX speaker for the perfect cosmetic match.

Models: Lil’ Night Train • V110NT

Full info at www.voxamps.com/lilnighttrain

mini3
Drawing on VOX’s superior modeling technology, the MINI3 Modeling Guitar Amplifier offers everything a guitarist needs: a wide range of authentic sounds; great effects; a convenient, compact size; AC or battery powered portability; along with the great design that you’ve come to expect from VOX.

Full info at www.voxamps.com/mini3

AC1 Rhythm Vox
The new AC1 Rhythm VOX adds a wealth of features never before seen on a mini amp – until now! In particular, the rhythm function rivals that of dedicated units, providing a total of 66 Rhythm/Song Patterns. The AC1 Rhythm VOX is a great choice not only as a first amp, but also as a warm-up amp on the road or in your rehearsal space, for practicing using the patterns as a metronome, or even as a rhythm box. It’s sure to have a long and warm relationship with any guitarist.

Full info at www.voxamps.com/ac1rv

Joe Satriani amPlug
The amPlug series of palm-sized headphone guitar amps make it easy to enjoy great guitar/bass sounds at home, in your room, or anywhere. This lineup is now joined by the amPlug Joe Satriani signature model, which borrows freely from the VOX/Joe Satriani line of signature pedal effects.

Full info at www.voxamps.co.uk/amplug

www.voxamps.com

Vox.
9 Newmarket Court, Kingston, Milton Keynes. MK10 0AU
Registered in England No 2344914

Musicians Union Seminar – ‘The Negotiation’

Date: Monday 27 September

Time: 6 – 7pm followed by drinks and networking

Venue: The Mermaid Conference and Events Centre, Puddle Dock, Blackfriars, London EC4V 3DB.  Click here for venue details .

You are invited to register for a place on our forthcoming MU Seminar, ‘The Negotiation’.  This seminar, which will directly follow the London Region AGM, will see solicitor Iain Johnson, from Paul Russell and Co, engage in a mock negotiation of a 360 degree deal with MU Media Official, Ben Jones, acting as the artist.

360 degree deals, in which record companies receive a percentage of all revenue streams generated by the artist – which could include live performances, merchandising and publishing in addition to recordings – are becoming increasingly commonplace.  They are an alternative to the traditional record company model, in which the label would only receive income generated by the exploitation of the sound recording itself.  But as sales of recorded music have decreased, record companies have recognised that areas such as live performance and merchandise are increasingly vital income streams.

This discussion will explain what exactly 360 degree deals are, their origin and examples of recording artists who have signed them as well as addressing the advantages and disadvantages to the artist.

Places are only open to MU members and are free.

To register your interest in attending this event please click here.

Places are limited for this event, so please book early to avoid disappointment. If you book and then find you cannot attend, please let us know in advance so we can offer your place to another member.

Thank you.

Photograph © Helena Dornellas

Greetings,
Join us at the New Empowering Church this Sunday 29th bank holiday as post WOMAD we will raise the bar yet again with another action packed Session, live and direct to rock you into Bank holiday Monday!

Afrobeat Vibration Sessions 2010 series in a special August Bank Holiday edition!!!

Experience the tightest on da ground Spiritual Live Afrobeat sessions episode in an authentic Afrika Shrine style, with the opportunity to get down once again as Dele brings an authentic Kalakuta style marathon live Afrobeat set featuring some of Londons finest musicians with DJ Koichi droping heavy weight Afrobeat, Afro Funk, and Tropical Rhythms on the decks.

Nearest station: London Fields

Bus: 26, 48, 55, 106, 236, 254, 388, D6, N26, N55, N253

AFROBEAT NO GO DIE!

For advance reservation and guest list, kindly reply by:

Texting names to: 07944286822

Email: dele@delesosimi.org

Photograph © Richard Kaby

On 5^th August United Vibrations graced the stage at jazzrefreshed.  Daniel Crosby, who features on Fred Perry’s Subculture Magazine this month

[ http://www.fredperrysubculture.com/subsonic_profile.asp?id=778 ]  was there to check it out, and he was more than impressed.  His view below.

“The best group I’ve seen in this country since…ever. Unlike so much of the tosh that parades it self as: ground breaking, eclectic, new etc…We finally have a band that isn’t paraded as  being good when it’s not, just for some trendy DJ to use them as a stepping stone to elevate their careers.

United Vibrations are genuinely the most important band to come out of the UK since the big rock bands of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s: Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Stones etc… and since the likes of Steve Williamson, Courtney Pine, Jamiroquai of 80’s and 90’s Jazz/funk fame; These are musicians that are regarded as world class, and are unique in the sense that their music, voices and charisma distinguish them from everyone else, especially the hoards of wealthy college musicians who use their money and privileged backgrounds to convince people that they have talent.  United Vibrations are a shining light in the depths of a music void, and are an inspiration that will soon reach all the barren areas of British music and bring it back to life”

United Vibrations

United Vibrations-RA! Official Video

Make up your own mind:  check out United Vibrations live on the following dates:

Friday 20 Aug at Passing Clouds London, Dalston,

Saturday 28 Aug at the Shambala Festival 2010

Saturday 9 Oct at Kings Place Kings X, London

and check them out online at http://www.myspace.com/unitedvibrations

Inspired by an article from Sanjiv Ahluwalia @ http://www.shook.fm/content/2010/08/united-vibrations-review/

It has been 17 years since the birth of one of London’s most notorious and largest city-wide event the “London Jazz Festival” which is a key event in the city’s cultural calendar taking place only once a year.

As more fans than ever flock from far to see the well renowned jazz musicians along with fresh talent who keep inspiring us year-on-year with their exceptional Jazz pieces to date.

This year the London Jazz Festival will be a 10 day event and to add to the excitement and anticipation the London Jazz Festival in association with BBC3 have just announced that even more shows have just gone on sale adding to the already extensive list of hot acts for you to check out including Cleo Liane, Charles Loyd, Ute Lemper and more!

–Maggie

Andreya began singing and songwriting from the age of seven taking influence from her mixed surroundings and cultural background. Hailing originally from South East London she moved to Worcester in the West Midlands at 14. At 17 she started doing an open mic night at the local music venue where the owner introduced her to a collective of musicians. It was with this collective of talented and musicians, called Bootis that was to form the bench mark for her ‘musical education’.

While studying for a degree in Music Technology in Leeds Andreya decided to reform Bootis with new members and a new sound influenced largely by Jazz, Funk and Nu Soul. It was with this new line up Andreya begun to refine her skills as a singer, songwriter and performer working with a vast arrey of musicians and producers in the process. Bootis gigged and recorded extensively over the course of two years doing their final gig at Live8 in 2005 in Edinburgh infront of an audience of 20,000.
On finishing her degree Andreya fronted 8 piece Latin-Jazz outfit RSL touring the UK and began embarking on her solo career. A host of collaborations followed and also her interest in developing her solo experimental vocal set ensued in which she called FreeFlo Sessions. It was with these FreeFlo session home recordings and a heartfelt application that landed her a sought after place at the 2006 Red Bull Music Academy. Being one of sixty people to be selected worldwide she was flown to Australia for an intense and mind expanding experience, collaborating with some of the best musicians and producers in the world.

Since coming back from the Red Bull Music Academy Andreya has found herself travelling all over the world for gigs and musical projects including working with the legendary Mizell Brothers. 2007 saw her first collaborative projects released to rave reviews and radio play on BBC Radio One. Andreya currently resides in Brighton and with a vast amount of experience under her belt she is now embarking on writing her first solo album.

Andreya Triana releases the first single from her forthcoming debut album, ‘Lost Where I Belong’, produced by Simon Green (aka Bonobo). Video directed by Daniel Chester and Dave Prosser and produced by Sweetworld. Live-action directed by Robert Sanderson.

‘Lost Where I Belong’ was released on Ninja Tune on 5th April 2010 and features a remix by Flying Lotus.

Click here to view the official video for Andreya Triana First Single ‘Lost Where I Belong’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvp7CAe7j1k

–Theo

The results have been announced for the London Jazz best vocalist and best instrumentalist 2010:

London Jazz Vocalist 2010

Cleveland Watkiss

Norma Winstone

Photograph © David Redfern

London Jazz Instrumentalist 2010

John Turville

The nominations for each award were as follows:

London Jazz vocalist award 2010

Christine Tobin
Cleveland Watkiss
Emma Smith
Fini Bearman
Georgia Mancio
Ian Shaw
Liane Carroll
Nia Lynn
Norma Winstone
Sarah Gillespie
Tammy Weis

London Jazz Instrumentalist award 2010

Andrew McCormack (piano)
Derek Nash (sax)
Gareth Lockrane (flute)
Gary Crosby (bass)
Gary Husband (piano/drums)
Henry Lowther (trumpet)
John Turville (piano)
Kit Downes  (piano)
Mark Lockheart (sax)
Patrick Bettison (bass)
Patrick Clahar (sax)
Ross Stanley (piano)
Steve Melling (piano)

The panel of judges met earlier this month at the Pizza Express Jazz club in Soho to discuss who the best jazz musicians in the country are, taking a vote which was announced on Monday. The panel was made up of some of the most esteemed voices in the genre; all musicians, journalists, event hosts and professors in the subject, selected by the Global Music Foundation.

Also announced as part of the evening was the London New Poetry Award 2010 winner

Carrie Etter

Shortlisted Poets for New Poetry Award are as follows:

Judging panel Jazz Best Instrumentalist and Best Vocalist Awards 2010:

Peter King, Saxophone - peterkingjazz.com
Tina May, Voice - www.tinamay.com
Guillermo Rozenthuler, Voice (Latin) - www.guillermo.co.uk
Gilad Atzmon, Multi instrumentalist, sax, clarinet, ethnic wind - www.gilad.co.uk
Jean Toussaint - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Toussaint
Pete Churchill - Royal Academy of Music
Mark Hodgson - www.myspace.com/hodgebass
Jim Hart - www.jimhart.co.uk
Barry Green - www.moletone.com
Brigitte Beraha - www.brigitteberaha.com
Asaf Sirkis - www.asafsirkis.co.uk
Charles Alexander - Jazzwise
Julian Joseph - www.julianjoseph.com
Joe Paice - Jazz Services
Paul Pace - Ronnie Scotts
Ross Dines - Music Director, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho
Stephen Keogh - Director, Global Music Foundation

Judging panel for New London Poetry Award

Daljit Nagra, winner- Forward Prize for Best Individual Poem (2004), Forward Prize for Best First Collection www.daljitnagra.com
Tamar Yoseloff, winner- Aldeburgh Festival Prize, London Arts New Writers’ Award www.tamaryoseloff.com
Adam O’Riordan, winner- inaugural Peters, Fraser and Dunlop Poetry Prize, Writer for The Guardian, Resident Poet: The Wordsworth Trust in Grasmere www.adamoriordan.com
Anne-Marie Fyfe, Chair of Poetry Panel www.annemariefyfe.com

London Fringe http://www.londonfestivalfringe.com/

Cleveland Watkiss http://clevelandwatkiss.net/
www.myspace.com/clevelandwatkiss
www.myspace.com/vocalsuite

Norma Winstone http://www.normawinstone.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Norma-Winstone/108282589200713

John Turville http://www.johnturville.com/
http://www.myspace.com/johnturville

Carrie Etter http://carrieetter.blogspot.com

London Jazz Instrumentalist 2010

On the 21st June there will be talks on the following music buisness topics with guest speakers.

-(morning) What You Need To Know About Running Your Own Record Label

(guest speaker: Michael Fuller, AIM head of legal)

-(afternoon) Managing Your Legal & Business Affairs

(guest speaker: Dean Marsh, Independent Label Scheme/music industry lawyer)

When: Monday June 21,

(morning) 10.30am-1.30pm,

(afternoon)2.30-5.30pm

For more information: www.britishblackmusic.com

To book: editor@britishblackmusic.com

Come along to Music Biz Empowerment, Monday, Half-Day Masterclasses.

Music industry professional development masterclasses are offered to new entrants, and industryites who are interested in increasing their knowledge of specific subjects.

Very small classes & 1-2-1s are available. So you can Power-boost your knowledge of specialist areas in informal, but intensive half-day classes, led by music industry tutor Kwaku.

Some classes may have guest speakers.

What: Music Biz Empowerment, Monday, Half-Day Masterclasses

Where: Dexion House, Empire Way, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 0EF (4 minutes walk from Wembley Park tube station, 6 minutes walk from Wembley Stadium rail station; buses 83, 224, 182, 297)

Cost: £25 per class (£100 for 6 classes or workshop; £20 per class for AIM, PRS and MPA members)

To book or for more information: editor@britishblackmusic.com

What: Talking Copyright: Reflecting On A 300 Year History & The Music Industry.

In Association with University Of Westminster’s Centre For Black Music Research.

A debate and talk on Copyright, its 300 year History and the Music Industry is aimed at Music industry, Media and Law students, lecturers and practitioners, who determine the vote on topics of discussion:

a) Are today’s copyright laws robust enough for an Internet age?

b) Copyright Awareness: Have we lost the fight to win the hearts & minds of the youths – tomorrow’s consumers?

The Panellists will lead a factually-rich discussion covering these hot topics from Different perspectives including History, landmark cases, causes célèbre, ‘good’ and ‘bad’ copyright stories/policies and more!

Panellists include:Kienda Hoji (lawyer/head of Uni. Of Westminster commercial music), David Stopps (MMF UK & International copyright & related rights director), Pauline Henry (ex-Chimes singer/IP consultant), Dave Laing (researcher/lecturer), Ben Challis (lawyer/lecturer), and Kwaku (BMC)

When: Tuesday June 15, 6.30-8.30pm
Where: University Of Westminster (The Old Cinema), 309 Regents Street, London W1B 2UW

Cost: Free, but Pre-booking is necessary.

To book: editor@britishblackmusic.com

For More Information: www.britishblackmusic.com

On the 17th of June, The Author of ‘British Black Gospel: The Foundations Of This Vibrant UK Sound’ Steve Smith will be leading us and a panel on a mission of investigation “As to whether Britain has a Gospel Industry”.

Panel members are to include: Chidi (Singer), Kevin Tomlin (Historian), and  Linton Beckles (Cultural Industries Consultant) on an  Chair: Kwaku (BMC).

What: A Talk & Debate on “British Black Gospel: An Invisible Industry?”

When: Thursday June 17, 6.30-8.30pm

Where: 365 Brixton Road, Brixton (by Police Station), London SW9 7DA

Cost: Free, but pre-booking is necessary.

To book: editor@britishblackmusic.com

For more information: www.britishblackmusic.com

The £10k New Music Entrepreneur Grant’s 10X6 Challenge In association with Akoben Awards.

Akoben Awards, focuses on promoting conscious music by artists of African descent, has set a challenge for budding music entrepreneurs!

The challenge will start on the June 1st and finish at 8pm, July 8th.

With the help of our mentors, Entrants will be able to have a viable project, business or significant target milestone within 3 months on Oct. 10 2010.

If you are aged 18-25 of African descent? Focused, determined, a natural born seller or blagger, think out of the box and think you have the ability to innovate and create a successful music business or project to achieve a significant target milestone with just £1k? Then why not enter the 10X6 Challenge?

Opens June 1 and closes July 8. Application fee is £10 (reduced to £1 for applications made in June).

Applicants will have to make a 2-4 page max plan, the deadline is 8pm on July the 8th. Winning entrants will be informed on Saturday July 10.

Remember: This is a grant, not a loan! You can improve your business planning skills by entering the Learn How To Create & Deliver Your Music Industry Business Plan Workshop on Saturday July 3, 10.30am-4.30pm, which is open to anyone whether or not you’ve entered the Challenge.

What: The £10k New Music Entrepreneur Grant’s 10X6 Challenge

When: Starts June 1st and closes July 8th

To apply: All information will be accessible from June 1 at www.britishblackmusic.com

For more information: akobenawards@gmail.com

An act performing at the Africa Oye Festival

African Oyé

Is The Biggest Global African Music & Culture Festival in Britain! it’s free to get in! and takes place over 2 days (19th & 20th June) at Sefton Park in Liverpool.

So if you want to feel, good vibes and catch-up with the ‘new’ and latest sounds, Come along to African Oye at Sefton Park.

Bands and Artists that will be performing:

19th June:Boukman Eksperyans (Haiti), Les Espoires De Coronthie (Guinea Conakry), The Gangbe Brass Band (Benin), To Coca (Haiti), Victor Démé (Burkina Faso).

20th June:Carlou D (Senegal), Les Freres Guissé (Senegal), Michael Rose (Jamaica), Rasites (UK), and Tomezclao (Cuba)

When: Saturday 19th June and Sunday 20th June, 12.30-9.30pm
Where:Sefton Park, Liverpool
Cost: Free

For more information: www.africaoye.com

Hackney empire associate artist Renell Shaw and special guests play music inspired by American jazz musician Wynton Marsalis.

Discover a new generation of musicians playing their interpretations and remixes of jazz classics.

Sunday 20th June at the Hackney Empire’s Marie Lloyd Bar

Tickets are just £3 on the door (no advance tickets), the doors open at 4:00PM, the show starts at 5:00PM and ends at 7:30PM.

Live DJ: Boom Entertainment

for any other inquiries, contact info@renellshaw.com

hackneyempire.co.uk 020 8985 2424

Mellow Baku

A new voice in British music, with an original blend of reggae soul and jazz Superb voice, brilliant music, a must for all’ Courtney Pine OBE

‘Every now and then a young singer causes an upsurge of enthusiasm among musicians. It takes someone of exceptional talent to have everyone in agreement and, having heard Mellow… I can understand how she broke down the barriers’ www.iccoventry.co.uk/Coventry Newspapers.

‘Baku is credited as a co-writer … Her clear, powerful, gospel tinged voice is shown to it’s best effect on this uplifting hymn of defiance and stoicism in the face of adversity. The music incorporates both soul and reggae elements and provides an excellent foil to an outstanding vocal performance’ Ian Mann, thejazzman.com.

ALBUM INFO

ARTIST: Mellow Baku

TITLE: Patchwork Prophecies

TRACKS: 15

DURATION: 55.5 minutes

Available through http://www.myspace.com/mellowbaku

Photo © Sally Al-Habshi

Credit to Mellow Baku for a refreshing approach to modern jazz album making; rather than hiding some ordinary tracks behind one or two strong opening singles, this 15 track album gets stronger from start to finish, and Mellow Baku now has the problem of deciding which of the 12 potential singles she should look to release separately.

This is an album full of heart felt positive constructive lyrics; occasionally a bit wordy for my tastes, but Mellow never seems to trip up over those words. She balances them out with her talent for smooth flowing vocal on other tracks. In any case, I can understand why the singer / songwriter works the way she does, she clearly has a lot to say, and the wait between albums of this calibre can be a long one. Cramming that breadth and depth of life experiences into an hour must have been a real challenge.  In this, Mellow has an elusive quality among vocalists; she understands the meaning of the words she’s singing, because she’s speaking from personal experience. She therefore has no problem imbuing the whole album with a gravitas which is the perfect caveat for those who, on the first listening, may only get as far as the smooth, easy tone of her voice.

04 Another One Down by jazzreloaded

In her songwriting Mellow shows a well honed flair for the jazz idiom, and also the importance of keeping the genre rooted in the present, and popular; Another One Down slides effortlessly between one-drop reggae and junglist drum and bass, a perfect backdrop for her silky soliloquy on inner city crime and violence. On the previous track Funny Thing, she manages to blend Boogie Woogie blues with a touch of Lilly Allen Mockney with rock beats and Andrews sisters style backing vocals thrown in for good measure! Charlie Boy is a straight ahead “straight ahead” mid tempo vocal number, a laugh a minute send up of the con-man clichés that plague the jazz industry. Dodgy promoters beware; this diva is more than a pretty face.

Photo © Gaz Birtles

My personal favourite is track number 7, We’ve been here before, Co-Written by Corey Mwamba. For me, this has all the references I want to hear in a modern jazz song. Thumping acoustic bass countermelody, a light but funky rimshot, and chord changes that are inevitable only in retrospect. The arrangement is edgy, with interwoven harmonic and rhythmic subdivisions guiding the listener to the relief of Mellow’s light, smooth soulful voice flowing over a neo-Latin up-tempo anthem. Mellow’s lyrics on this are essentially about mandkind’s capacity for self-destruction, but she delivers her message in such an elegant, understated way. I wonder if Barack Obama and BP might consider engaging her services…

06 We’ve Been Here Before by jazzreloaded

One disappointment on the album was the tone of the keyboards throughout. I do understand the problems and pressures associated with getting a quality Bosendorfer or Fazioli to take a jazz recording to the next level. But for the wonderfully stylish and reserved comping, and short but blazing solos of Mike Sole who otherwise works his hardest to imbue some feeling into an inanimate and unresponsive instrument, I think it would be worth the expense.

Photo © Ben Sutton

Overall, there’s something on Mellow Baku’s album for everybody. Vocally she demonstrates her comfort with a range of genres – Lover’s Rock, BeBop scat, wailing soul, and rock and roll – without the album turning into a technical exercise. Each song flows logically into the next, and makes this 55 minute introduction a moment to savour without interruption. I think the live show of these tunes will make a for a great girls night out, and the boys would also do well to pay attention; with Mellow Baku, you definitely get more than you may have bargained for.

You’ll like this if you like:

Nenna Freelow, Carmen Lundy, Dawn Penn, Julie Dexter, a good night in…a good night out.

ALBUM INFO

ARTIST: Mellow Baku

TITLE : Patchwork Prophecies

TRACKS: 15

DURATION: 55.5 minutes

CREDITS:

Mellow Baku: Vocals and backing vocals, Lyrics, Music Arrangement

Mike Sole: Keyboard

Steve Nutter: Double Bass

David Anderson: Drums

Mel Thorp: Saxophone/Flute

Jon Read: Trumpet/Flugelhorn

Corey Mwamba: Vibes

* Michie One, special guest vocalist Track 5 End Of The Day

* Featuring SureShot (Track 4, Another One Down, Track 15, All is one)

Track 2 “Soul Attack” Written by Mike Sole & Mellow Baku © 2010

Track 3 “Funny Thing” Written by Tony Briscoe and Mellow Baku © 2010

Track 4 “Another One Down” Written by Steve Vibronics and Mellow Baku © 2007

Track 5 “End of The Day” Written by Michie One © 2010

Track 6 “We’ve Been Here Before” Music by Corey Mwamba

Track 7 “Wild Women” Written by Ida Cox

Track 9 ” Rebel” Written by Baby J and Mellow Baku © 2010

Track 13 “Mr Damascus” Written by David Anderson and Mellow Baku © 2010

Track 14 “Irie” Written by Robin Hopcroft, Idris Rahman and Mellow Baku © 2010

STUDIO: Adam Ellis / Deadline Studios, Leicester 2009

PRODUCERS: Adam Ellis, Mellow Baku

ENGINEER: Adam Ellis

For more information about Mellow Baku contact

Terry Adams,

Anonymous Arts Management Ltd.

T: +44 (0) 20 3344 2249 (direct line)

M: +44 (0) 7782 279 191

E: terry@anonymousarts.co.uk

www.myspace.com/mellowbaku

The results of last night’s all party parliamentary Jazz awards are:

Alyn Shipton- Jazz broadcaster

Kathy Dyson- jazz educator

Mike Flynn- jazz journalist of the year

Jazz Bar (Edinburgh)- Jazz venue of the year

Nigel Price Organ Trio- jazz ensemble of the year

Mark Lockhart- Jazz musician of the year

Jazzwise- jazz publication of the year

Brian Blain- services to jazz

No messin’ by  The Gareth Lockrane Septet -jazz album of the year

Markbass have just announced a new range of amplification to be made available in the coming weeks, using new technology designed to greater convenience bassists worldwide. Among the released items will also be a new brand of guitar amplifiers, DV Mark.

The launch of the DV Mark line in Frankfurt took place last month at the Musikmesse show and included Jazz artist Marco De Virgiliis present to announce the product to guests who were then treated to a cultured demonstration of the new goods by sponsored DV Mark and Markbass artists such as Frank Gambale and Alain Caron, amongst others.

DV Mark launch in Frankfurt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVdj-BHR4q4&feature=player_embedded

MoMark SA 500

MoMarkSA 500

MoMark TA 500

MoMark SD 800

Little Mark Rocker 500

Patrick Chamberlain

Blues for DuBois

rehearsing with Steel Pan player Samuel Dubios (far right). Picture © Steve Reece

As a member of the gigs and venues committee and the equalities committee for the Musicians Union, I’ve spent a fair amount of time  researching equality and opportunity for musicians in the workplace.   The work has largely been based around the protection promotion and preservation of commercial opportunities for Union members of any backgrounds.

But as an AfroPean, I want to take this opportunity to remind people connected to the music industry exactly how much this commercial development is undermined when any musician’s civil liberties cannot be guaranteed.

Steel Pan Player Samuel Dubois

World renowned Steel Pan Player Samuel Dubois found himself in this position recently.  For those who do not know Samuel, he is an award- winning steel pan champion and gifted instrumentalist.  He has been a member of Ebony Steel Pan Orchestra for many years.  He’s also performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Billy Ocean and Courtney Pine CBE, as well as performing for movie stars Bill Murray and Pierce Brosnan.  He has also received the Queen’s Award for outstanding contributions in the community and works for NSPCC, protection of children.

Samuel Dubois ( Far Left ) with Aron Ottignon and band

On September 29th 2009, Samuel spent a night in a Notting Hill police station cell after being harassed, sworn at, sprayed with CS gas, and beaten at the hands of the officers involved. In the morning he was cautioned, on a charge of public disorder, the officers claiming Samuel swore and assaulted a police officer after a request from the same officers to stop playing the steel pans.

Samuel Dubois at West London Magistrates Court

Now the exact nature of what happened will always be a subject of conjecture, although you will find more details on the facebook petition page (with 5000 + digital signatures ) at

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&viewas=788364881&ref=ts&gid=177276456245

What is known is that the independent police inquiry by Lord McPherson in 1999 has long since demonstrated evidence of institutional racism in police practices- something which the AfroPean community had attested to for decades before the inquiry commenced.

Since then, the 2008 TUC black workers conference reported on the disproportionate number of Afropeans who had their DNA PERMANENTLY registered in the police database whether or not they were charged with any misdemeanour.  (Since April 2004, anyone aged ten or above who is arrested in England or Wales can have their DNA and fingerprints taken without their consent, or that of their parents. See http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-457046/Police-100-000-innocent-children-DNA-database.html for more info)

Astonishingly, the magistrates seem not to have taken any of this into account in finding Samuel guilty of resisting arrest, without any evidence other than that of the protagonists.  Remarkably for central London, there appears to be no video footage available - from the time from the scene of the incident through to Samuel’s release at the police station  - to corroborate either side of the story.  I do agree with the magistrate that assaulting a police officer is a serious offence.  So serious that it behoves the magistrate to procure tangible evidence of its occurrence.

Of course, in a court of law, it’s not about what you know, it’s about what you can prove.

So what we have is the word of two police officers against an individual. This being the case, and having been the subject of a number of erroneous and unwarranted police checks myself,  I find my self asking: what is the probability that a steel pan busker posed such a threat to police officers that they decided that tear gas and handcuffs would be the only way to subdue him and preserve their own safety?

Our police force and armed forces operate a monopoly on legitimised violence, and as such, abusing that monopoly is the greater offence, because it undermines the Rule of Law at a time when “Broken Britain” requires the rule of law to be at its strongest level of integrity.

Dubios family and supporters

The late  Bernie Grant MP famously remarked that the enquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993 represented our “last chance to tackle racism”.  The nature and condition of Samuels arrest clearly indicates to me that the chance has not been seized.

Free will wasabee

To? To? To? To?

Sombody job to check the time,
did i?

twitching and shit-
asking the trigger
yeah brother..

soul on page
“nine-the clock”
||||last B heard||||
1st + 4th word
to leave the room
following instructions

¬sounds as
¬sounds as

Remote control destruction

voodoo mat -| Voodoo mat -|

The muse dies, International.