PSYCHIATRIST QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“At this point, let me affirm as emphatically and categorically as I may, that I do not consider the enjoyment of recorded music is in itself, any indication of abnormality or psychopathological disturbance.” Dr. H. Bowes, 1957 Well, we here at Premises HQ can’t work out if the above finding, clearly of great importance to the 50’s music-buying public, or of no importance whatsoever, is an indication that we music fanatics are way less interesting than we think we are. What a hideous idea, that we are ordinary, and have no music-related get out clause to explain our peculiar little ways. So, put another quid in the jukebox, safe in the knowledge that no one is going to question your sanity, on that count, anyway. Or better still, write a new song, for summer. ChatGPT tells us that June rhymes with Moon, so there’s a start…
LIVE PIANO COURSE AND PARTY Nikki Yeoh, along with Tim Richards and John Crawford, ran the very popular live jazz piano course in May, with some of our beloved usual suspects and some fresh and very talented new (to us) players. There was some truly majestic playing, plus a few participants who sang and-or switched from piano to percussion and back again. Practice did indeed make perfect, as the players took to the gig/party stage on the final day, with nerves of steel, playing jazz standards smoothly and professionally with bassist Larry Bartley, saxophonist Binker Golding and drummer Mark Mondesir. We turned Studio One into a nightclub, with free bar, salty snacks and vibes galore. More hilariously, the day before, we had students playing along to a silent screening of The King’s Coronation, a bit like in the old cinemas with piano players fitting the mood of the flickering screen. It was a hoot to watch Queen Camilla strut her stuff to “Someday My Prince Will Come,” as played on four Roland keyboards.
SUMMER PIANO WEEK We can’t quite believe this August we’ll be hosting Nikki Yeoh’s 25th Piano Week. We know some of you are regular attendees so if you are booking your hols, be sure to leave a Premises, piano-shaped space on those first five days of August. Class size is limited this year so get in early. Intensive workshops in Jazz, Blues, Funk and Latin styles, with full rehearsal and recording with ace rhythm section Mark Mondesir and Dominic Howles. For more info. And if you want to check out the stupendous Nikki Yeoh in full playing splendour, she’ll be performing with her outfit Infinitum at Ronnie Scott’s on the 19th of June. For more info: www.ronniescotts.co.uk
YOLANDA CHARLES’ MASTERCLASS By popular demand we are delighted to announce a return of bass player extraordinaire Yolanda Charles’ masterclass for bass players and drummers on 19th August 2023. The class is all about musicianship and learning the subtle art of playing the best you can with the rest of your band. Suitable for both drummers and bass players. Musicians will learn how to develop a more nuanced approach to playing different styles and learn how to shape and influence feel and groove elements to improve their timing, communication and general approach to playing. Areas covered will include: timing, feel, style/genres, placement, internalising subdivisions, improving listening skills, developing awareness, and application of dynamics. 10am-4pm. £95. For more info. To hear a playlist of Yolanda Charles’ work head here.
GRAND UNION ORCHESTRA COMMEMORATE WINDRUSH To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush, Premises regulars Grand Union Orchestra will be hosting a series of workshops and gigs in and around Hackney from the 17th-22nd of June. The finale will be a pay-what-you-can gig at the Hackney Empire on the 25th June. The band, 25 members strong, have always been about big, fun, dance-friendly music. Composer and co-founder Tony Haynes says it’s a natural fit. “This continues our mission to bring together musicians and singers from all musical traditions worldwide, and to use the power of music to engage in important culture discourse.”
SABOTAGE IN THE STAIRWELL In continuing our series in which we grab unsuspecting Premises people and demand to know what they are doing, creatively, we asked our very next-room-to-us neighbours, producers and writers Huntsmen, about the mellifluous sounds floating out of their studio. Imagine an uber chillout room mixed with a sound bath, and this is the beautiful EP Shelter On A Hill, created by Lake Turner and WEM who might bear a striking physical resemblance to Andrew and Aidan of Huntsmen, but we can’t say we’ve ever seen all four in the same room. To read our mini interview, click here.
This BV class is sold out, but if you want information on the next one: michele@premiseseducation.org
JANETTE MASON, LIVE SHOW – June 30th Janette Mason, who runs our hugely popular Art of Arranging Course, is playing with Arya, a Nu Soul trio, comprising Janette, Juliet Roberts and Vimala Rowe. Be there or be square: https://exchangetwickenham.co.uk/event/ayra/
WHO’S BEEN IN? Amongst many others in May we welcomed…. Fourplay, Eric Bibb, Barry Can’t Swing, Thomas Headon, Asha Badale, Triggerfish, Mestizo, Billie Marten, Elephant Kind, James Ford, Osmium, Fossils, Laura Mvula, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Asian Dub Foundation, Cas Studier, Gabrielle, Phoebe Green, Abby Roberts, Irene Taylor Trust, Becky Hill, Clive Brown, Goldfrapp, Dan D’Lion, L.Devine, Saloni Thakkar, Dolores Forever, Levitation Orchestra, Funk Force Five, We Walk The Earth, Louis Dunford, Bat for Lashes, Pip Millett, Bedhead, Horrifix, Years and Years, Gavin Bryars, Kamal, Cymande, Sad Boys Club, The Stingrays, Village of The Sun, Urban Soul Orchestra, Lucy McWilliams, Mae Muller, Blues Project, The Composers, Little Simz, Perhaps Contraption, Ciara, French The Kid, Nicky Rubin, Apartment House, Lola Young, Logan J Parker, Yazmin Lacey, Eloise, Loyle Carner, Anna Calvi, Remetik, Ashnikko, Jake Shears, Boy Bleach, Patti Smith, and last but deffo not least, Goldie!
AND FINALLY…
