BEDROOM BAR- Monday 4th April

Live music was kicking at Bedroom Bar last night. It was packed and mellow and...

As usual it was an international vibe...
Our Monday Open Mic had acts from France, Germany, Nigeria, UK, etc.
There was a variety of female, black, white, young and older musicians. Some came from Bath. Some were seasoned buskers  like Dave Etherington (pic below), who is originally from Guernsey. 

Or very interesting...
Titus Waldfenfels for example all the way from Munich had a variety of instruments- a few self made others improved from old. Titus  created an amazing array of sounds. No singing. Which was a good contrast from the norm. Sometimes it is heart warming to get away from too much speaking and singing. Music is sound. Any sound. All kinds of sounds... 
here were the fantastic acts

1. Alex Dobson
2. Djinn Cover - French Blues man
3. Titus Waldenfels- master craftsman
4. Zarina- Young upcoming London songwriter
5. Bee Bakare- Amazing singer from Bath via Nigeria
6. Josh Williams - Main act of the evening all the way from Edmonton , Canada
7. Dave Etherington- Street musician from Guernsey

If you want to be considered just send us an Email
magda@bedroom-bar.co.uk
or
gmacha52@gmail.com

TRIBUTE TO ALAN HAYMAN – SOUTH AFRICAN MUSICIAN RECENTLY DIED AND BURIED IN BRAZIL

A few days ago when I broke the death news to Jazz musician, Claude Deppa, after the initial shock, the charismatic Claude remarked : "He was too fast for London. No wonder he moved to Brazil.  Alan was ahead of his time."

There are two types of human beings.

 Those whose goals are achieved in their country of origin; and ones whose dreams are fulfilled in foreign lands.  Like Mohammed Farah who moved from Somalia and is now a celebrated athlete in the UK; or the Jewish thinker and author, Karl Marx who fled  Germany in the 19^th century and died in London. Remmy Ongala left Congo in 1978 and brought prestige to Tanzanian music, died and was buried in Dar es Salaam two years ago.

Living in a huge, cosmopolitan city like London makes you meet such individuals.    300 languages are spoken here. In such a maze of cultures and nationalities, I met Alan Hayman, a South African community enthusiast and musician in 1991.

Alan Hayman (first right, seated on his beloved Congas) in his hey days with Sambatucada band. One can see how  Alan enjoyed working and collaborating with others...Pic courtsey of Vera Lucia Pereira da Silva.

 Back then I was living in Rio de Janeiro and had reviewed an international film festival for a London magazine. While visiting the country my agent (who was based in London) said she had got a call from this African guy.