Here comes the sun?
Saturday, July 15, 2023 by Ben Jackson | Uncategorized
Good morning everyone!
I hope you are well and are preparing for some dry spells……. This year seems to have gone by like a whirlwind where previous years DC (during Covid) seemed to linger.
This summer I hope you are looking forward to spending time with friends and family and a little time to ourselves to of course! I am very excited to enjoy some time off over summer and hope to travel to Scotland for a week. I am also hoping to see lots of live music! It is very important to support live music during these times and is also a wonderful experience for everyone to enjoy and share. Its just the best!
I have included a few events below that may be of interest to you.
Music
Campfire club - Rediscover one of life’s simplest joys – the sharing of live music in the glow of a campfire.
Every summer, we gather in beautiful green spaces to hear extraordinary music by artists from all over the world. In the simple way that people have done for thousands of years, we come together around the fire to enjoy music, food, drink and the company of others.
This is a perfect event for those who want to get away from the busy festivals and loud spaces.
https://thenestcollective.co.uk/includes/campfire-club/
St Edith folk - What a wonderful bunch of folks who put on some great events with some great music engaging our community.
St Edith Folk has been formally in existence since September 2013 and is now into its ninth season of excellent music. Over the past years we have had the pleasure of welcoming folk luminaries such as Fairport Convention, Oysterband, Jon Boden and Martin Simpson to play at the club, as well as more contemporary folk artists such as Lau, Moulettes, Keston Cobblers Club and False Lights.
Kent Music Summer School 2023 Music Explorers Course
I am excited to share some news that Kent music our local music hub are providing a wonderful experience to young musicians held at Benenden school. The annual Kent music summer school always offers great feedback from the events and it is a wonderful opportunity for young musicians to play music with others under the guidance of tutors.
see link below for further reading and information on how to sign up and access other great events for young people.
https://www.kent-music.com/events/kent-music-summer-school-2023-music-explorers-course/
Mobile application
I would also like to share with you one of my favourite radio streaming apps ant the moment. Need some new music to break the cycle with the old favourites?
Take a break from intelligent playlists suggesting what you may like and take control. Radiooooo is a brilliant free application with paid features. It’s a great way to immerse in music from the past, present. You can explore geographically annd eras to find a really original selection of music that I can guarantee you would have never heard before.
My favourite find this week is from Lidia Richardovna Klement a Soviet singer from the 50s/60s.
https://radiooooo.com?share=64b2689f34bc646ce5bb75d7
For sale
I have a section of musical bits for sale - let me know if any of these may be of interest to you.
Jim Dunlop Wah pedal
MIDI controller keyboard
Yamaha keyboard and stand
Honer full size semi hollow body guitar and hard case
Guitar cases
Gigs
I was lucky enough to see Jacob Collier in concert last month who is a genre blending, multi instrumentalist force of fun and incredible musicianship. The gig itself was very intimate and the audience were split into several sections and were given parts to sing along with the fantastic line up of top musicians. Just wow!
I had a wonderful day in Dover last month. I have included a photo of me playing at Dover multicultural event last weekend. The day was delivered by the wonderful Samphire group. They are a community organisation who support migrants in the uk.
The day was an inclusive fantastic blend and sharing of different cultures. Thanks for a fantastic day!
https://www.samphireproject.org.uk
February thoughts
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 by Ben Jackson | Uncategorized
Welcome back all, I hope you are feeling well. Another month closer to spring!!!
I have some things that may be of interest to you or those in your circles.
Kent music events - Come and Sing! February 2023
This looks like a brilliant event over the half term, maybe one for your calendar!
You don’t need to have any experience, and there’s no need to audition – just come along with a love for singing! Explore and expand your skills with a wide range of repertoire under the guidance of expert tutors. Over the two-day course you’ll practise singing as an ensemble in unison, two and four part harmonies. Participants will gain confidence in ensemble singing, expand their aural skills and develop core musicianship further.
https://www.kent-music.com/events/come-and-sing-february-2023/
Explore the arch - The most unique and wonderful experience!
This is a magical and unique organisation for which I look forward to attending more events this year. There are regular one of a kind moving performances and opportunities for support for young artists who wish to pursue theatre in their career.
http://explorethearch.com/about.html
Similar to geographical explorations into the unknown, each journey dictates a distinctive approach. Conventional hierarchical structure of roles is replaced with a meeting of minds. This experimental approach redraws the traditional viewer-performer relationship as a collaborative journey. Families are warmly invited: ExploreTheArch has always offered free tickets to under 19s and reaches to communities experiencing barriers to accessing arts to facilitate participation.
Brede High Woods - A very special local woodland!
Catch a glimpse of the strange eel-like lamprey as they swim up woodland streams, spot the medieval tree-lined bank, or look for some of Britain’s rarest beetles.
This is a very special place to me and love spending some time amongst the trees and wildlife. It is a treat for all the senses. In the warmer months (hopefully in the not to distant future) I will enjoy taking a guitar (maybe now a banjo!) for a walk to the waters edge with a deep filled homemade sandwich. It is a very special place and the woodland trust are looking volunteers once a month to help out in the woods. Maybe see you there!
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/brede-high-woods/
Gigs
Very excited to see the wonderful DakhaBrakha later in the spring! Missed out when they last played in the UK but am very much looking forward to seeing them live after enjoying much of their recorded material online!
Here’s a link to their page and a little about them.
https://www.dakhabrakha.com.ua/en/about/
DakhaBrakha — is world-music quartet from Kyiv, Ukraine. Reflecting fundamental elements of sound and soul, Ukrainian «ethnic chaos» band DakhaBrakha, create a world of unexpected new music.
The name DakhaBrakha is original, outstanding and authentic at the same time. It means «give/take» in the old Ukrainian language.
Musings, gigs, support and news!
Wednesday, June 8, 2022 by Ben Jackson | Uncategorized
Good day!
After a week of gigs and festivities a cup of tea and Schumann (its his birthday today!) are seeing me nicely through the morning. It has been a great week with lots of musical links and fond memories shared.
Ready to get back in gear for the new term where we will officially welcome in the summer on the 21st of June! I have some morsels that I would like to share that may be of interest to you or those you know.
BAPAM
Robert Schumann was a pianist and composer form the 19th Century who was not considered a “child prodigy” but whom left the study of law to be a pianist and later composed and became one of the most defining and important composers of the 19th Century.
Schumann died at the age of 46 of pleurisy and in later life struggled with mental health condition which would have likely be diagnosed as bi-polar disorder.
If you know of anyone who may need some guidance and support on personal health I would like to recommend the British association for Performing Arts (BAPAM) for musicians and performing artists who require support or guidance particularly in these challenging times.
ORCHESTRA ONE
Kent music are soon to be recruiting for their Orchestra one project. This long standing (30th Project!) has been an incredible activity for young people in Kent. I have included the link below and would recommend keeping an eye out for when this comes live! Open to all abilities aged 11-18. I have only heard good things and fantastic feedback from this event.
Members of Orchestra ONE come from a wide range of musical backgrounds and create their own original music during each four day project. Every project offers a new experience influenced by changing themes, collaborations and specialist tutor teams but most importantly by the young musicians’ own interests, styles and instrumentation.
ARTS CUTS IN HIGHER MUSIC EDUCATION
Not for the faint hearted! it’s tragic to what government has so far cut in the arts for young people and unsettling to read the musings moving forward. I couldn’t believe that the arts and music funding has been cut by %50 in 2021!
The points below have been put together by the Musicians Union.
Government plans for England:
- Put music and arts subjects at risk by cutting their funding in favour of their preferred subjects
- Reduce access to higher education by excluding pupils who do not achieve a particular grade in GCSE Maths and English
- Make systemic inequalities worse by disproportionately excluding disabled, Black, Asian and minority ethnic students, and students from low income backgrounds.
- Hit low paid workers the hardest by reducing the student loan repayment threshold to £25,000 during the biggest cost of living crisis in 30 years
- Put teaching jobs on music and arts courses at risk affecting MU members who teach.
Whew after that I’m going to need another tea and maybe cake!
SINGING WITH NIGHTGALES
I wanted to share with you a very special experience that was guided by the fantastic Sam Lee. The event is Singing with Nightingales and it is held near Lewes in East Sussex.
After arriving in the early evening there was enough time to set up camp, sit by the water with a beer, and enjoy the space accompanied with the dusk chorus.
We were greeted by lovely Sam and a friendly team to ensure we had a lovely time and in tune with the wildlife around us ensure the habitats of the wildlife were not disrupted.
After fireside songs and words and bounty of delicious food prepared by the fire we went in search for the mysterious nightingales. I had never heard a nightingale before and to hear one so close was such an experience. They are so animated with their phrases and sounds they use to construct the virtuosic melodies to attract a mate. We sat for a little over an hour and enjoyed the musicians improvising along with the birdsong. A truly memorable and special experience.
The nightingales are awe inspiring nocturnal birds that are woven deeply in a rich tapestry spanning from Greek mythology to the current day. Their symbolism spans across the continents and after hearing the nightingale there is no mistaking their song. Back in May I heard one from the studio over the way towards Tilsden which was very humbling.
On a final note!
Online booking for lessons - As a reminder if you are unable to attend a lesson I have made a selection open times available on Wednesday to make up any missed lessons.
All the best and may the good weather come!
Links
BAPAM event for maintaining best health and a sustainable career in music
https://www.crowdcast.io/e/isozp799/register?utm_source=Musicians%20Union&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=13150141_Introducing%20BAPAM,%208%20June&dm_i=2QJ,7TUPP,3WRYJQ,VY8EZ,1
Kent Music Orchestra one
https://www.kent-music.com/groups/orchestra-one/
Arts cuts
Please take a look at the link below and act appropriately!
https://musiciansunion.org.uk/campaigns/protect-higher-education-music-in-england
Sam Lee
Nightingale song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK2_bcQcoD4
India Blue @ The Nest Hastings
Thursday, March 17, 2022 by Ben Jackson | Gigs
Saturday night was great at The Nest, in the Old Town of Hastings. Be sure to pop along and see what they have happening. Its is a fantastic creative, intimate space. They host some great events and I have heard some good food too! This is hopefully a trend of venues that are alcohol free spaces in the South East.
We visited to see folk multi-instrumentalist India Blue for her album launch "The Circus Came and Left."
Support from Tom Clarkson playing the double bass and contrasting some beat poetry and drum n bassesque backdrop.
The main event saw other musicians including Bev Lee on Violin who also has an album launch on the horizon, Peal Fish on BV's and some impromptu harmonium! Lee Harding was the was the driving rhythmic accompaniment.
The room was full of appreciation of such a unique talent who fills the room with soaring melodies and intricate song writing techniques.
Thanks for a great show and be sure to check her out 25/03 @ FolkeFest in Folkestone
