ONLY TIME I EVER FELT JEALOUS WAS DURING A PRINCE CONCERT IN 1987...

I am  not a jealous person.
I believe so much in myself and my talents that I never feel threatened. However, during Prince concert somewhere in Germany in 1987 ( "Sign of the Times" tour)   I couldn't face it.  Prince was magnificent. Fans were fainting. The music was exhilarating. He played, he sang, he danced, his clothes were superb;  the band grooved and songs were just out of this world. Half way I matched out.

                                                 Prince- pic by Ironing Board Collective

"Why are you leaving? Don't you like it?"
The person I was with, wondered
I couldn't hide my envy.
I had to evaporate. Hide. 
Did not sleep well for days.
But later I was so, so, so inspired, I regained my composure. The last time I saw Prince was in Rio De Janeiro...at a private gathering in Leblon, near the beach.  He was surrounding by these huge bodyguards. He was so tiny. I did not feel green at all. No envy. I felt this legendary, great artist had no freedom. 

TRIBUTE TO JAMES BULGER

The horrific capture, torture and murder of two year old James Bulger in 1993 is one of the most unsolved crimes in history.


His killers, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson (both victims of a dysfunctional family) were only ten at the time. They were caught and jailed for a few years then released with new identities. Jon was recently re- arrested and re- imprisoned for another crime (also involving kids).

The infamous CCTV footage of baby James Bulger being lured and led innocently, to his death by his tormenters at the shopping mall.
The whole thing is sad, traumatic and reflects a dangerous trend in our family structures, the law and breakdown of societies.

CAPOEIRA CLASSES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN LONDON

Capoeira instructor, Simon "Fantasma" Atkinson says...

I thought some of you might know interested youth that might want to take advantage of the classes listed below. If you do please could you ask them to register online.

Classes are free and Hackney based but welcome youth from any borough.

Mondays 17.15-18.15, Regents Community Hall, 52 Brougham Road, E8 4PB
(begins 14th September)

Tuesdays17.00-18.00 Geffrye Community Centre, Falkirk Street, N1 6SD
(begins 15th September)

East London Capoeira Group and Project Gem (registered charity number 1090376) are offering 11-19 years olds a unique opportunity to experience capoeira. Project Gem uses capoeira in the UK and Brazil to help young people to feel good and enjoy life. We recognise that capoeira has lots of benefits that can help young people and the community that they live in. Our free 10-week capoeira experience will give you a basic introduction to:

Movement
Music
Understanding of the capoeira game!




Thanks for your time - oh and before I forget Urban Ritual has moved to the first Sunday every month next 6th September 3pm Charlie Wrights 45 Pitfield Street N1 6DA

Fantasma

Tel +44-7779 031 273

THIS WEEKEND'S PROFILE...

THE MESMERISING BLUES OF STILL JREMING
Check out this wonderful Blues Musician.
Yes, Blues...
But... hold on.
Some of us may still equate Blues to old fashioned, slow, boring, mambo jumbo. Forgetting it is the bedrock, speaking melodically, (just like African drums are parents of world rhythms) of all modern, pop music.
Music, is however, a matter of taste so, without appearing to push something you dont like down your throat; may i add quickly...
I like the simplistic, straightfoward, peaceful but intense, well crafted music and guitar of Mr. Jean-Rene who says he is also an organic chemist.
This guy's stuff speaks more volumes than the rubbish we see promoted by huge record companies: scowling, snarling, finger pointing bad vibes; so called singers with no subsistence.
OK. I have also snarled at someone's art.
There is freedom of speech and self expression.
However, am concerned by the social results. A 27 year old guy was telling me the other day how he used to love gangsta rap a few years back. " I would listen to some of these chaps and immediately feel like fighting or ripping someone's teeth out."
Honestly?
"Oh yes. Thats why i have stopped listening. I have become more choosy."
It is amazing how music is subtly, contributing to the disrespect on our streets today. Check out yobs playing their loud stuff openly on their mobiles. You have to bear and "take" it ; like it or not. Freedom.
Come to London.
Tales of someone being stabbed for staring at scowling yobs has become "normal" news in the media.
A forty something colleague was saying how he was told to F-K OFF! ...simply for looking, accidentally, at yobs being rowdy at a public place.
"I mean, I wasn't even staring, my face seemed to be in their line, visually, I didn't will my eyes to look... i was just facing their way as i walked ... i was, abused menacingly and told to F-K OFF three times!"

We cannot even stare at one another?
This is not even about ear damage.
These individual's ears are going to be in a mess in later years. They should speak to legendary WHO musician Peter Townsend or ex President Bill Clinton. The two are standing testimonials to loud music and misusing senses in your youth.
That's why this Blues Man is my Weekend's profile. A vibe of the times.
A healthy vibe. A crucial vibe...needed to heal our morally puking societies.

Thank you friend for sending me the clip.
Happy Sundays.

A CUBAN HEART…

Every issue reeks different opinions.
There are some who see Cuba as a monster dressed in the clothes called Fidel Castro. And those who view Cuba as a wonderful place; sticking her brave tongue at the biggest nation on earth.
I am talking about the recent resignation of Fidel Castro. Cuban exiles have already made their points clear while media scrutiny still goes on.
I have met very few Cubans and they have always been the most wonderful people on earth.
One was Luison Medina, a percussionist. You might say entertainers across the world tend to be very wonderful people, but listen.
I jammed, played and hanged out with Luison in the small beautiful town of Bergen, Norway in winter, 1994. We played with some amazing, local Norwegian musicians. It was a small project focussing on Latin jazz and Brazilian music. In the thick of it, Luison wanted to learn some African rhythms especially from Tanzania. I showed him what I considered to be only a fraction of the subject.
He, in turn, also shared his Cuban rhythms. I kind of regarded the affair as an exchange of information.


Jamming with Luison Medina(right) Bergen, Norway, winter 1994. Pic by Amita Tiwari.

A few days later there was a knock on my door; El Cubano had a huge bag of fish.
“For you…” he announced.
Everyone around me wondered why he was giving me fish; actually loads of fish. Even though Bergen is a fishing town, giving someone so much fish was still peculiar, a brow-raiser.
“Thank you for the music.” Luison Medina said.
“What music?”
“You show me some wonderful rhythms. Take the fish.”
Long story short that was a lesson in Cuban hearts.
At the time I thought this fellow professional was a particularly, remarkable bloke. But then fast forward four, five years later. I am now living in London. Raul used to hang around the house of some Brazilian Capoeira players, in the northern zone. At first I thought he was a Capoeira master: he was colossal and well built. Raul, however, wasn’t even into exercising or sports. Known in our circles as Cubano, Raul was a mechanic: he had long dreadlocks, a slow gait, slow paced speech, slow movements, everything about him was slow and lingering. When we hear Jamaican people saying “Soon Come” they have this quintessential Caribbean rhythm, in mind.
I was slightly frustrated with my car. A mechanic had messed up with it, charged loads of money to mend a simple thing, which remained unfixed. The car was mishmash, a jumble. Raul not only repaired the vehicle; he charged less and in the few days that I was waiting, lent me his car.
“Don’t worry, Compay.” He would say.
When I say it took a few days to mend my car, it was actually over a week, he worked slowly, but I had his car to carry on, meantime.
Around 2000, I was making a CD.
In one of the tracks I needed a man to say something in original Spanish. I craved for authenticity. I used to run a show at the Spanish Bar Lorca in Stoke Newington and so Leonardo Alvarez Despaige, a Cuban, wasn’t hard to find.
“I will do it for you, companhero.” He promised. He was skinned, new in town and I recorded him. How much would he charge, I enquired.
“Don’t worry; anything. Anything.”
Hey! Notice.
One might say these guys were desperate to make some bucks in the West. That they come from a poor, improvised country known as Cuba. The disaster Cuba that we have heard so much.
Repeat.
Everyone has a different opinion about something.
I have encountered many people around the globe, I have hanged out with the miserable and desperate, but few have shown me this much soul. Call it what you like. Propaganda. Communism. Marxism. Have your opinion. In Tanzania we used to have loads of Cuban doctors. In the 70’s everyone who had been treated by them would say how patient they were, empathetic, caring.
“That Cuban doctor is so nice…he treated my mother.”
“Those Cuban doctors always have time for you at Muhimbili hospital. You see one, you are in good hands.”
You heard those sonorous, melodic, ringing words; all the time.
In 1977, I was a young reporter and Fidel Castro passed through Tanzania. It was at the height of the South African invasion in Angola. Cuban soldiers were helping Angolans in their fight against this apartheid led raid. We of the press congregated around Dar es Salaam international (nowadays Julius Nyerere) airport. Out emerged the tall leader, in his green fatigue, cap and pistol. He was so tall. A few seconds later we saw security services scuffling with a young woman who had apparently, (it was whispered) tried to harm El Commandante.
...Amazing.
There were more than 600 attempts to kill Fidel Castro. Even after he has resigned old, sick and frail, some still wish him dead. You wonder. You wonder and you wonder, again. Everyone, of course, has and is entitled to an opinion.

Acoustic Live Music at the Blag Club, Notting Hill, West London

Klara CD sleeve pic by Lisa Deurell

These days...
You are probably on someone's mailing list...
I am on several; i get calls and invitations almost every minute: most times one ignores these calls but eventually succumbing, like I did on Tuesday.
Last time i met this Swedish blonde was in the company of the great musician Hukwe Zawose almost ten years ago. Then Hukwe, died.
His nephew,Charles Zawose who accompanied the genius of Mbira Music would also pass away a year later.
...But Klara? Their marimba student... She went on playing...and she has been sending me news about her music; from different parts of the world. I never heard the music of Klara Kjellén.
So I am trotting up the stairs of the Blag Club in Notting Hill.
At the entrance stands an attractive female with the friendliest smile on this coldest London winter evening of December 11th...
"Who have you come to see?"
I am not even aware that i just handed her four pounds. Smiles are magicians.
"Are there loads of acts playing?"
Apparently there are and so, I say: "Klara..."
The fact is I don't even recall how she looks like. Music is that strange.
"She is Swedish."
"Oh, her," the Smile recognises The Subject in question.
"I am also from Sweden..."
Inside are many musicians doing a sound check. A lousy sound-check. Seems to go on forever. As a musician i know the feeling of waiting and checking instruments while the audience is waiting and watching.

The fans : Cesare Rossi and Mara Darwish all the way from Italy.

Time to get a drink. I am staring and sipping my red glass of wine.
Where is she?
As I ogle and flinch from the constant feedbacking of the PA ("testing testing, one, two, three") a friendly guy shakes my hand. He is none other than Johnny Fish...he will be the first Solo act ...on a guitar that sings better than his voice and a voice that brings joy to his brash, straight to the point lyrics. John is genuinely(and truly) the unknown, busy, bustling, London acoustic scene. The scene that only bloggers (and blog readers like you) would find amusing.

Fact is the whole night at the Blag club follows Johnny Fish's punch and tone.
Pete Marshall, the second act, is big in size and height but has a mellow voice that soothes, lulls. Pete is pure soulful singing.

Later, he says he was merely toying with covers, that he has more music i.e. like rest of the musicians here,all have much more than what is being seen or given...
Take the third act. In my opinion wonderful symbiosis of guitarist / singer in one. A Glasgow chap by the name of Shuggie Murphy.

Shuggie's guitar won't just behave itself, though. His fantastic playing is jarred by the fuzzy sounds and everyone starts giving suggestions: it must be his battery ("NO it is new" he corrects)...wrong cables? No. Robert the sound man is busy indeed, and only the last song really gives credit to this man's fabulous abilities.
The only black duet is: singer Deborah Charles and guitarist Barry Vincent; who as a teenager jammed with the great Bob Marleyin Jamaica...
The two have a distinct blues-jazzy-funky sound that ushers memories and nostalgia of the pure sound. Before the invasion of manufactured "music", if you know what i mean.

Not just the sound but the combination of an acoustic rich feminine voice and those well matched experienced jazzy strings of Barry. Barry confesses they did not even rehearse much. (What about if they did?)
Yes it is, indeed, special here and very low key.
And to this is where the lady who emailed me will play. I am re-introduced toKlara by her boyfriend, Tom.
She is leading a quartet.
Most songs are about relationships and the theme is reassurance. Self-explanatory titles: "Patience", "I breathe Without You Now", " They will slow down"...all giving encouragement to a ceaseless, restless soul, about this life.

Klara on keyboards...

My favourite is "Under your skin" which opens up her album of the same name. The beat and arrangement of guitar/ stroke/ drum/ guitar/ stroke/ vocals/ stroke/ drum stroke/ guitar...is quite catchy...
"LISTEN TO ME
I HAVE A STORY THAT I HAVE NEVER TOLD ANYONE
AND IF YOU PROMISE ME NOT TO LOOK DOWN
UNTIL I HAVE FINISHED THE STORY I WILL TELL YOU..."
Musically, the album is as effortless as her live gig. A singer songwriter rich and filled with melodies ("I guess I was a little bit in love" is so soft and sweet and svelte it keeps away my slightly tipsy mood and hunger pangs)...
This is Notting Hill, West London.
I am glad i came to theBlag Club.

Klara and boyfriend Tom (first, left)relaxing with pals after gig.

LOTS OF CASH RAISED FOR TANZANIAN SCHOOL KIDS......

Progress, we know historically has always been made, through individual initiative. Self-determination.
Depending on governments and dodgy guys in suits, well, i leave that to your own judgement.
Let us speak about these two ladies whose only power is love in their heart and minds...

Aged 18 years, the then GAP student, Katie Martin, with the Tukolene pupils he came to love and eager to help back in 2002 (Photo by Phoebe Bryant).

Before we meet them let me, briefly, get something off my chest.
Charity is something alot of us coming from poor countries (especially those concerned with the way things have been trekking, ashamedly, past 40 years) glare at with total suspicion. Lately, for example, there is absolute loathing amongst us musicians (in the Diaspora particularly)who only get invited to play in small gigs called charity events, whereby organisers claim there is no money, that the hard sweat is for those far away, suffering in distant lands.
(Then you have to get on a self defence over-drive and explain that we boarded aeroplanes, to try our luck, in rich countries, because of that very situation!)
Many musicians are resorting to working in supermarkets as sales clerks, cleaners, security guards, bus drivers, taxi drivers, school teachers, waitresses,elderly care-workers, ( i can go on all day) simply because there are no gigs, no engagements, nobody wants African music at the moment.
Yet everywhere you cast your eye, are people carrying African Djembe drums,folks trying to learn African traditional dancing; African rhythms and songs can be heard in the most minute details, skeleton and veins of contemporary pop music. However, when huge gigs come with alot at stake like say, publicity and exposure; (e.g. the infamous London Live 8, in 2005) African musicians are Uninvited with a capital U.
So, it is with such disdain, I treated Katie Martin's emails and phone calls a couple of months back, when the attractive duo (and her friend Phoebe Bryant), invited Kitoto Band to play at this major charity event. This would be held at the Hammersmith Town Hall, West London, on Friday November 30th...
How wrong was I !!!
Katie Martin was totally, understanding. She paid us a decent fee, made sure everything I demanded discussed, weighed and checked, before committing.
Katie proved that having worked briefly as an English teacher in Africa (Tanzania 2002) she knew poverty, genuinely liked people, sussed the struggle for survival.
For example when i protested that some of the band's friends and fans coming would not be able to afford the £50 per person fee they agreed a £10 charge for them to enjoy the ocassion but minus the dinner.

On stage during the evening, the team of Friends of Tukolene withKiota members address the audience...From left: Vikki Ommanney, Phoebe Bryant, Katie Martin, Nicki Sumner, Pippa Brown, Ericka Hicks. (Photo by Lewis Hicks)

The gig was good, vibes of the evening great, there was colour and an easy going feel about.
They had at least 250 guests and made around £14,000 for school children at Tukolene in Chang'ombe, Dar es Salaam and for Kiota another charity organisation that had joined hands with them to help make the ocassion succesful.
Phoebe and Katie made sure a wide picture of art-forms was represented : Ugandan food, fashion models, photographers, High flyers acrobats (Fab Moses and Emmanuel the Magnificent); and the Kitoto Band.


From left back: Nicki Hutchins (UK: Sax/ Vocals), Oli Savill (Portugal/Percussion), Andre Mathurin (St Lucia/Bass).
From left front:Koko Kanyinda(Congo-Percussion/ Vocals),Christina Binder (Japan/Austria: Vocals),Mutsa Mankona (Zimbabwe/ Dancer), Simone Aquino (Brasil/Dancer) and Freddy Macha (Tanzania/Vocals/Guitar/Perc). Missing, Gwang (Grenada) on Percussion.
Pic by Barry Ayton

We had a hard time with the sound as Hammersmith Town Hall is a huge place and the lesson for these organisers would be to make sure they sort out the technology next time (enough speakers in the massive hall, monitors, adequate cables to avoid fuzzy-fizzy-foozy sounds, etc)...Barry the engineeer struggled/straggled, yet managed to stay calm...nevertheless.
Despite the hitch ( and hassle); people danced, ate, oggled, wobbled and swam in the atmosphere.
And what did Phoebe and Katie say a few days later ?
Will the money collected be useful to the children?
...On my visit to Tukolene in September, the manager Darius Mhawi laid out Tukolene’s future plans. One of the main things he would like to use the money for is ensure that children who pass exams to secondary school are able to continue attending – so Tukolene will be providing successful graduates of their supplementary education with uniforms, fees and home visits to guarantee long-term success for the pupils.
Tukolene would also like to expand its tailoring training by buying more machines to produce uniforms and become a permanent source of income for the Centre.
Did you get much support from authorities, or was it more personal initiative?
Will you do it again?
...Africa Alive! success was largely down to the initiative of family and friends. We didn’t have much support from Tanzanian authorities, apart from KaiRo International which supports Tukolene on a long term basis. If we were to hold the event again (perhaps in 2 years time) it would be fantastic to expand involvement to Tanzanian groups in the UK, and raise awareness of Tanzanian support here.
Do you think charity work is good for poor countries like Tanzania? Some argue it encourages dependent on aid and begging…
The focus of charity work is really important in developing countries like Tanzania. Sharing knowledge is much more important than, for example, building a hall or a school, as knowledge helps people to think beyond their current situation and make long-term improvements. Skills like literacy, manual expertise and business management can open up possibilities for people’s self-employment in communities without resources to spend on training.
Dependency on aid arises mainly where monetary handouts are given without the considering whether the recipients can use the money efficiently; for example providing capital for new businesses without providing business management training or a loan scheme. If aid is focused on improving knowledge first, this is a more permanent way of contributing and generates economic growth within the community without direct monetary aid. Smaller charities and NGOs also stand to gain a lot more and quicker as the funds can be directly applied without going through a lengthy and costly administrative process.
Are you two going to continue your work with these types of projects in the future?
...Tanzania and in particular Tukolene has been part of my life since 2002, and having returned there recently it has definitely become part of my agenda to continue to work to support their projects. We are both Chair and Secretary of Friends of Tukolene in the UK, which we hope will gain charitable status very soon and continue to support Tukolene.
Anything else…
...Tanzania is a beautiful country with amazing people who should be celebrated for their everyday achievements as well as their tourist attractions. If you agree, and would like to know more, please visit www.tukolene.org.

Hammersmith Town Hall Gig 30th NOV

Ever heard of Tukolene?
I will let you know in a minute.
On Friday 30th November, a huge party is on at the Hammersmith Town Hall, West London, for children in Tanzania. One ticket for the bash is at a staggering £50! Hold on minute. This is not your normal party. First of all once you pay £50 you have a full meal, cocktail drinks plus entertainment. This will include a fashion show, acrobats (by Highflyers) and music provided by Kitoto band.
NOTE: There is a £10 Discount fee for those coming after 9 p.m. These will not dine but just dance to the music of Kitoto Band starting 10.30 sharp till half past Midnight.
Who organised this event?
The story begins with two London ladies, Katie Martin and Phoebe Bryant. They said they fell in love with Tukolene Youth Centre while teaching English in Tanzania in 2002. Now years later settled and working they decided to do a charity concert to collect money for these youngsters.
Ben TV invited Katie and Phoebe to talk about the event last Thursday. After the interview, two members of Kitoto band, sang Kilimanjaro to boost the ocassion.
WE took a pic to remember. Two Ben TV presenters,John Uche(second from left) and Trish Adudu (first right),posing with Kitoto singer Christina (first left ) and myself (guitar), while Phoebe and Katie cheer on jubilantly.
Tickets are available by request email to africaalive@hotmail.co.uk or by contacting Katie on 07851 082051 or Phoebe on 07866 623066.
Venue Address : Hammersmith Town Hall, King's Str / Nigel Playfair, W6. Nearest tube : Ravenscourt.

A Photo from the Past...

Playing Music in Capelinha, Salvador, Bahia...1993.


It was a hot day. Summer. Few weeks before Christmas 1993.
Salvador is a special place. This used to be Brazil's capital for several centuries, until Rio De Janeiro became THE city. Nowadays Brasilia is the government's nexus. You rarely hear of tourists and visitors going to Brasilia, around the Amazon forest. Chiefly because there is no sea, no beaches, nothing of the kinky stuff that attracts folks to Salvador and Rio. So then, i would like to talk about this photo, taken by who?
The neighbourhood is São Caetano de Capelinha, right at the heart of Salvador, credited as one of the poorest and "most dangerous" in the city. In the blue distance you can catch the Atlantic ocean. When checked carefully, a bit of the architecture can be seen as well; typical Portuguese housing style; Roman almost in outlook and history.
From left is the bass player, also called Freddy. Freddy is one of the coolest dude i have ever played with. He rarely spoke and when he did it was very quiet; lots of sense and played the most amazing bass lines.
I am clutching the guitar which i still own and play today, an acoustic-electric Takamini, except that i have changed the suitcase, since that day. You can vaguely see all the stickers, taken from thousand places i had been.
Then Denilson. Holding his kit-drum pedals. Exceptionally gifted musician and storyteller. He played kit drums and percussion. He is the man who helped shape my Samba rhythms and i learnt a lot about tambourine (called "Pandeiro" in Brazil) from him. You cannot play Bossa Nova or Samba well, if you don't know the Pandeiro, which is as central to Brazilian music as tablas are to Indian music. The word Pandeiro, according to historical sources, as told by the late, English writer, Peter Fryer, in his exciting book "Rhythms of Resistance", comes from "Bandir" (an Arab word) and is Middle East, in origin. World wide, we call it the tambourine. Dielson loved to talk apart from music, the economic misery of this region, where most of the art movements in the country originates. Here, the highest number of slaves from Africa (globally) were taken and to date 80% of the Bahia population is of African origin. The subsequent inter marriage with native Indians and the Portuguese, has in several centuries, produced the most beautiful looking humans.
Denilson would remind us.
Samba began in Bahia. Capoeira, the Brazilian martial arts began here. Samba Reggae (also known as Axé Music) as well; "yet you find the most absurd poverty in Brazil here."
At one point I got a scabby (skin itching) infection while playing Capoeira barefoot, it was spreading and i scratched like a man possessed. Denilson, joked that scratching, was part of the dancing culture of the region, that to feel "the love" one had to scratch and understand the agony. Metaphorical, huh?
Intelligent Dielson was a twin and it was his brother, Dielson, who snapped this pic.
These twins were however, complete opposites. Whereas Denilson roved and drummed with no spouse yet; Dielson was a practical man, with nothing much to say, raising a huge family; his kids running around, in this dilapidated impoverished area, filled with pick pockets, guns, stray dogs and cats.
At the far right is Daniel, a cheerful American keyboards player. Daniel was always having fun. We hanged around the Porto beach alot where women would flock around and i recall him asking me :
"Fred (Americans always call me Fred instead of Freddy), what do all these girls see in me? My body is not as well chiseled as these Brazilian guys. Tell me. In California no woman looks at me but here I am the man!"
It was a funny, interesting topic which we looked at with laughing eyes. Music brings people together, makes instant pals, and may raise crucial questions without any qualms.
This particular day we had been in a studio top of this high building and tried recording a song of mine, which i would re-record years later : I Wanna Kiss You.
I have to repeat one thing about Salvador-Bahia.
In here you feel musical twenty four hours. Buses filled with chanting youths singing and drumming on the window panes and seats. Daily carnival. The actual carnival in February runs three days in the rest of Brazil, here it goes on forever. Bahia the region, Salvador the city: special place.
If you ever go to Brazil be there and learn the history especially of slavery, art, music and get to visit the home ofJorge Amado, in Pelourinho, one of the biggest writers in Latin America born and raised not so far from where we are standing.

Learning to Enjoy the Moments...

Jazzmoss album and lessons on The art of Being Here and Now.
Too many times we do activities thinking of other stuff. I do it all the time. I am in the thick of things; my mind wanders away, pondering over what I “should be” doing. I am chatting to someone over the phone; thoughts slither away to the dinner am going to have, a movie I shall be watching next week. We have to constantly remind ourselves to live the second, the instant, enjoy the moment. Zen.
This life.











And that was the lesson of Jazzmoss album release party. So many years have passed since I experienced so much harmony and tranquillity. Everything was so blessed and in sync that Sunday afternoon on October 14th 2007...
You come in through the quiet driveway past small trees and shrubs straight to Charlton House. Charlton is of course part of Greenwich, and for those overseas, we are talking of London’s Greenwich Meridian Time; the district.

Huge, ancient building that reminds you old is gold. Green mellow lawns. There is a lady outside checking her hat and she points at the door. You almost think you are in a church, a museum, a castle. Up there on stage Jazzmoss musicians are finishing off their sound check. Empty chairs. Gill is darting here and there making sure everything is alright. Gill Swan is part of Global Music Fusion and Arts an organisation that brings you dances, drama, music, arts and people of various colours and ages. Gill is one the friendliest person on earth. When the phrase, good woman was made, the creator had people like her in mind.


Gill also found time to sing with the band...

Her son, gentle, smart and immaculate as usual, is at the bar. Alex Swan is not only ready to serve wine and food, he will be taking photographs and filming. That is what Global Fusion is all about. M-u-l-t-i-f-a-c-e-t-e-d-n-e-s-s.
One hears that boring question all the time: “How do you do so many things?”
Global Fusion answers that question. Multi-tasking, multi-talented-ness is natural and normal here.

Kit-Drummer par excellence, Trevor Tomkins.

The tables are spread with bites, flowers and bottles of wine, ready for guests. The stalls behind are divided into two. One side is the almost ritual corner stacked with the sacred Jazzmoss album, photos of the musicians making it. People in labour. The labour of love. Other side? Racks of Global Fusion manuals, CD’s , leaflets, more photos and DVD’s. Global Fusion does it all.

The visuals, the sounds, the goods. They work in schools, with the neglected, in cultural centres; they run projects, make films and record albums. And like the word Global they are global. All races welcome here…whoa! Global Fusion compilation album, Global Fusion produced albums of songwriters like Algerian Rai musician Farid Adjazair.

Louisa and Kaz :their collaboration streered this album, with she writing the songs and him the music.

The band has finished sound checking and now each vanish, to have a drink, smoke or chat. Kaz Kasozithe Ugandan multi-instrumentalist musician, pianist and arranger of this album is now strolling around chatting to whoever in sight; calm and relaxed. This is microcosm of the music and the ebony genial musician embodies the spirit. Tito and his pal are fidgeting with the sound controls. The unknown but very appreciated pilots of music engineering. I have known Tito for years. Since the days of Bar Lorca, that Latin club.

Tito, Ghanaian musician and engineer, who has been on the London scene for ages.

Backstage, Louisa is a bag of nerves. Without Louisa Le Marchand our said event would not have been.
“I have been thinking about this album for thirty years.” She says her voice trembling with emotion.
Anyone who has done anything with passion; be it preparing a meal for friends, driving fast to reach a destination, rushing to meet a fresh date, starting a job, company or heading to a new country for the very first time, would recognise this feeling. If you are genuine you will be feeling apprehensive, concerned and anxious; words that describe honesty. Louisa is here not only as musician but producer and moment maker.

Mix and Henry from the dazzling wind section, which stands out brightly in the CD.

The band members are at the back too.
I can see Liran Donin, the jovial funky Israeli born bass player and Trevor Tomkins kit-drummer extraodinaire…there is also guitarist Michael Casswell in the company of Mix Amylo. He and her; she and him; him on strings, she on wind instruments help the melody section, steering Louisa’s singing and Kaz’s crisp piano.Henry Lowther trumpet player, is not absent either.
These guys are living legends of British jazz. Art Theman, for example, who is one of UK 's top Sax players has been playing since the 1950's and has worked with Jack Bruce, Alexis Korner as well Stan Tracey (best UK small group of 1995)not forgeting touring and recording with Charlie Parker's contemporaries, Red Rodney and Al Haig.

Art Theman in action while Henry Lowther waits for his turn...

Charlton House is suddenly filling up and the Sunday sunshine is painting the gardens and windows. Autumn leaves, October rhythm and blues, Champagne and Wine. Otis Redding must be smiling at us. Later when I say to people the wine was free, they go:
FREE WINE AND MUSIC?
Yes. Jazzmoss made it’s own quiet history, herstory.

Guitarist Michael Casswell here with Kaz after the fantastic gig.

Yes; now the place is filling up. People of all sorts; women, girls, boys, men, old guys, young guys; middle aged mammas teachers, models, fellow musicians, voyeurs, painters, jazz lovers, they are all here. I can see André Mathurin, the bass player from St. Lucia with Farid Adjazair. They are always talking music these two.
I am almost thinking Miles Davis has risen from his grave when I realise it is none other than Henry Lowther blowing the place away on his trumpet. The concert is in motion and people are munching and sipping wine and the sun is singing with the occasion. Oh Yes. “I sip Your Lips.”

“I sip your lips, a taste divine
Heaven and earth, they are all mine
Your eyes shine bright, yes they do
Like crystal clear, excitement rides, happy tear.”
Reena (second left)with family and Gaz;their late brother Sukh, kit-drummer, amazing musician and fantastic person was a founder member of Global Fusion.
Alex Swan is busy filming; Kraw has just sauntered in, helping on camera as well. Kraw is the Capoeira artist, a young, robust cool, calm but energetic man from Uganda. His eyes spell danger and love at the same time; I am looking at him taking in the jazz with a stride. It reminds one of sun, jazz, coconuts, samba and bullets. (Capoeira, if you didn’t know, is a Brazilian martial art, disguised as a dance).

Kraw...

They are all here.
The music sifts in like dew drops. I have been present to newly released album promotion gigs and here and there you will hear people chatting, getting up to leave to the loo; things of the sort. Nobody leaves. They are all seated from intro to end. And encore. All I can compare this feeling is mornings. With it’s dew and wet grass sprinkling your sandals or bare feet. The best thing about Jazzmoss is it’s endless whimper, whisper, whim. Those musicians should advertise good wine. That drummer, Trevor Tomkins, should be watched by students and even experienced kit players with egos the size of mountains. Tomkins never fights with his kit, he is there to accompany the melody and rest of the team rather than fight or compete. What a team; what a day.


You can always tell which song went well with an audience. For Jazzmoss it is “Looking Back” which has the perfect combination: groove, mellowness as well as reflecting Louisa Le Marchand’s gift for song-wrtiting, poetry and prose. When she sings; the tension is gone, her bedroom, boardroom, living room, pecking soprano voice is a murmur; reminding us to always enjoy the moment.

“When I look back there are so many things
That I find hard to remember
Where has the time gone and where will it go?
Where has the time gone and where will it go?
Cause there is love and hate, happiness
Bad things turning to good
And there is the long road that’s hard and wide
And being misunderstood…”


Visit www.jazzmoss.com Or ring Global Fusion Music and Arts for bookings and music products. Tel +44-208 8589497
/Mob. +44-7976-941435

Pics from Jazzmoss album launch in Greenwich London...

Families, fans and friends of Global Fusion.

Families and friends of Jazzmoss and Global Fusion. This is basically the food crew who made all the grub possible. Talitha Le Marchand, chief chef(third from left and heavily pregnant) with Gaz and Sanchia Le Marchand(in red hat).

It is time to leave for bass player Liran Donin. Even the light has had enough.

Alex with Cassian Le Marchand; the bar guys who had a busy afternoon, did a great service AND forgot to smile.

Kaz with Essence Kasozi, his singer-songwriter spouse and fantastic musician/ performer was present too.

Algerian singer songwriter, Farid Adjazair, whose album, has been produced by Global Fusion Music and Arts did not miss. Here seen with Andre Mathurin, St. Lucia jazz-pop bass player; plus your blogger in blue.

Jazzmoss CD launch this Sunday : WINE AND MUSIC for all...

"If you love jazz then you will love Jazzmoss..."
So says the flyer of this Free Lunchtime Jazz gig, Sunday 14th October from 1-3pm at Charlton House , Charlton Road, Charlon village, London SE3...
I am told the concert is open to all ages and families.
I have been listening to Jazzmoss, a creation of two heads and souls: singer songwriter, Louisa Le Marchand and piano player Kaz Kasozi; backed by a Six piece band.
Art Theman on Sax, Henry Lowther on Trumpet and Flugal, Trevor Thomkins on Drums,Mix Amylo on Clarinet and Sax, Liran Donin on bass and Gill Swan, backing vocals.
More details contact Hazel Brown of Global Fusion Music and Arts, Tel. (+44) 208 858 9497 0r (+44) 7976 941 435.
Like one of my favourite tracks on the album "Soul Gypsy" says:
"As I see death in the eyes of a stranger
And life from the light of the sun..."
This is a balanced album combining well written lyrics and cleverly crafted music. Very rare balance these days.

This Weekend’s Profile…ANDY JONES FILM ON BI KIDUDE

Andy Jones film on Zanzibar music legend Bi. Kidude
While going through the various reviews regarding “As Old as my Tongue” the new documentary on Bi Kidude, I was captivated by London's Guardian piece, Sultans of Swing, in January 2007.
"Zanzibar's music traditions are, it seems, becoming more popular among foreign fans than the young local people who take their home grown music for granted.”

And no wonder while 50 plus people sat and watched the film at Arcola Theatre there weren’t any Tanzanians to witness the occasion.

Part of it is the low key manner in which the ongoing African music, mine and music movement festival has been. Part is, Arcola theatre, as beautiful and cosy as it is, isn’t your normal cup of tea for Tanzanian communities in London. Theatre going is not a habit for your average African struggling to make money to send home,anyway.
Having said that Andy Jones deserves praise for bringing the sunshine of Zanzibar to Londoners. The 66 minute documentation of this fascinating woman takes you through stuff you never hear of anymore.

Andy (centre) flanked by Onyekachi Wambi, moderator of the film screening (right) and a fan, Peter Neal.

Oldest Living Performer in the World : Bi. Kidude...

What is the secret of a long life? Tablets? Botox? Money? Implants? Probably Andy Jones, the Englishman who just completed a documentary on the life of Bi. Kidude, legendary Zanzibar performer, could help us with answers. Bi. Kidude, is a rare female gem. She is a subject of As Old as My Tongue to be shown this coming Sunday, October 7th, at Arcola Theatre, East London, part of the ongoing "African, Mine and Movement" film festival.

I last saw this amazing lady in 1990 while on tour with her. By then we heard she was "very old"...by old, I mean, past her 80's....

Afro Jazz Jam in London Every Sunday

This flyer has been sent by Wala Danga the Limpopo promoter and DJ who for more than two decades ran the live music scene at the legendary Africa Centre in London till 2002. The Centre, which was opened by former Zambian President Keneth Kaunda in 1963, remains todate the biggest music venue historically in Europe. Here many of today's hottest acts, including Baaba Maal and Salif Kaita first performed. South Africa remains the epitome of African jazz music with such well known names such as pianist-composer, Abdullah Ibrahim. If you have been missing African Jazz, want to jam or just chill out, there it is for free every Sunday.
The Leonards Club is at 42 Northampton Road, EC1

More details email Wala: wala.danga@blueyonder.co.uk