It’s been a rewarding weekend! Along with festival founder and sponsor, Suzanne Sparrow and Director of Music, Simon Ible I attended the student showcase at the Hub venue in Plymouth on Friday night. The evening was a great success with excellent performances ranging from musical theatre to rap. My new songs, Sea-Fever and Shores of Amerikay were premiered on Sunday following a Q&A with Simon Ible. It was hugely enjoyable and pianist, Emma Abbate, mezzo-soprano, Clare Presland and bass-baritone, Alexander Robin Baker brought the songs to life. It was a bit chilly in the Sherwell centre and Emma’s hands were freezing. Despite this she performed faultlessly. It was heart warming to hear the response to the songs and the positive comments afterwards. I hope now to record them. Thanks to Simon Ible and Suzanne Sparrow for their support. That same evening I was lucky enough to be introduced to the music of Jo Mango. They performed as a duo at the B Bar and I was spellbound by their subtlety and gentle power. Jo Mango played kalimba, piano and guitar and her fellow player provided guitar, glockenspiel and harmonium. They were amazing and I’m now a fan. Give their album, Murmuration a listen – wonderful.
No rest after this busy weekend as I have a commission for a C5 documentary to complete. I’m enjoying writing an atmospheric opening theme for this. I even dug out my old zither to give it something special. Beds and stings next!