Crikey -it’s been so long I don’t know where to start!
Since I last checked in I have been busy selling numerous copies of "Brandy and Beer" at gigs far and wide with my co-leader Robert Fowler. We’ve been to Bridport, Ipswich, Ealing, Bridgenorth, Grantham, Arbroath, Steyning, Marlow and Woking - meeting some friendly jazz fans and sampling local hospitality wherever possible. If you haven’t seen the show, don’t worry - we haven’t finished yet (see gig listings for details).

One of my favourite experiences over the last 18 months has been the Norwich Jazz Party, where I’ve been booked to play and hang out with friends and colleagues for a long weekend - fantastic! I was delighted to find myself working alongside musicians such as Ken Peplowski, Alan Barnes, Bucky Pizzerelli, and Scott Robinson. I also launched my new sextet, which focuses on Mulligan’s great recordings from the fifties with four horns, bass and drums.

I feel very fortunate to have been involved in the 40th Anniversary Concert at The Stables at the beginning of February. As I’m sure many of you will know John sadly didn’t make the gig but the show went ahead as scheduled, with music performed by John’s family and friends. It was a truly memorable evening.

Talking of The Stables, I have just played with Jacqui Dankworth and Charlie Wood at the opening day of the "Music in the Garden" series. We played to an appreciative audience who were wrapped up in blankets and sipping hot drinks - I thought it was supposed to be summer..?

I will be in the garden again on 17th July with my new quartet which features Nikki Iles, Steve Brown and Dave Green. It would be lovely to see you there and I’m sure it will be much warmer by July, you might not even have to wear your woollies! I am quite excited actually because I will be touring with this band in the Autumn, covering venues in Sheffield, Scarborough Wakefield, Southampton and Ipswich amongst others. Please come and see us, we will be delighted to see you.

Since my last news update I have played at Hospitalfieds, Arbroath, not once, but twice. The first occasion was in November when Robert Fowler and I did our Al/Zoot show. For some unknown reason we ended up driving there - I think we did around 900 miles for that gig, we must be mad. Just two weeks ago I was back there again, this time with Tina May and Nikki Iles - we are known as the "Tokyo Trio". We flew up this time, and had a lot of fun both on and off the stage performing first in Arbroath and then in Glasgow where we got a rather nice review

And finally..
Over the past year I have started to collect photographs of myself wearing or making use of props that are sometimes found lying around backstage. Silly I know, but there we are. I hope you like them..(photos below)

Until next time.

Karen x