Festival Previews Video Blog

The Bermuda Music Festival kicked off its 13th year on Wednesday 1st October and ran for 4 days.  The festival showcased local musical talent as well as celebrating Bermudian cuisine and culture from its unique cultural mix of islanders who make up Bermuda’s 400 year old history.

Hosting the festival this year was the American Morning show host and radio personality, Steve Harvey.   Among the big ticket names who took to the stage towards the end of the festival were one of the most beloved and classic R&B vocal groups from the 60’s, The Whispers.  Also appearing and currently on tour in the States were British reggae stalwarts, UB40 who played at the Bermuda National Stadium on the 3rd October.  With a unique vocal style of his own, the soul singer Aaron Neville  supported by Alicia Keyes and The Aaron Neville Quintet performed on the last day of the festival.

Beyoncé also performed at the National Sports Centre on the 2nd October.  I’m not sure if any of you saw this but Evian published a great competition on YouTube for tickets to see Beyoncé at the Bermuda Music Festival!!!  The the lucky winners are jetting off to Bermuda!   Hopefully there will be another competition next year so keep your eyes posted!

Today we welcome the Scottish Jazz Vocalist, Lorna Reid who takes us on an up tempo jazz journey with The Lorna Reid Quartet.   Backed by some of the finest musicians on the scene David Patrick (piano) Ed Kelly (bass) and Keith Haldane (drums), The Lorna Reid Quartet are performing for one night only at the Callander Jazz & Blues Festival on Saturday 4th October.  Many of the songs featured in the show are on Lorna’s new alum “Gypsy in My Soul.   So let’s put our 10 Questions to Lorna…

1.   What inspired your love of Jazz?

The first time I heard Nina Simone singing Sugar In My Bowl.  I was blown away by the mood and intensity of her performance.  I have since heard Bessie Smith’s version, which oozes sensuality.

2.   How would you describe your show?

The List magazine describes my act as “cool and classy”.  I try to take audiences on a musical journey, from kick-ass swing tunes to heart felt blues and ballads. At the end of the night I love it when we are all grinning – audience and the band!

3.   What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

Years ago, the first time I had to introduce an open-mic session at a folk club, alongside the guitarist I was working with, I was so nervous I said ‘good evening my name is Kenny and this is Lorna’.  As you can imagine the audience fell about laughing.

4.   What was the last Festival you attended or performed at and what was it like?

I played during the Edinburgh Fringe with my band, featuring trumpeter Colin Steele.  It was a hoot!

5.   What’s your best advice for young aspiring Jazz  musicians?

Stay in touch with why you are doing it.  For me it’s the love of music and performance.  If I ever get stressed I just remind myself it is meant to be fun. This always chills me. Keep learning and keep working…

6.   What are you most proud of?  And are there any dreams or goals that you have yet to fulfill?

I am really proud of my debut album, Gypsy In My Soul, and the positive response it is getting from friends and the industry. My dream/goal is to record my own material and tour with it.

7.   What is the best advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

My old Grandfather used to say: “Lorna, always keep a clear head”.  I try to follow that every day – but get derailed occasionally!

8.   What is the best book or books you have read and why do you like it/them?

Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, is the most passionate and funny novel I have read.  Also, Now Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham & Donald O’ Clifton that promotes the simple concept that we are all happier and more productive when we work with our strengths, rather than focusing on developing our weaknesses. It is brilliant!

9.   Who is the person you most admire and why?

Musically - Liane Carroll, an amazing singer and musician. She gives so much of herself in everything she does. I had the privilege of being taught by her on the Fionna Duncan Jazz Vocal Workshop this summer. Her performance is mind blowing.

10.   If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

If we all thought about the implication of our actions, no matter how small or large, I believe the world would enter a more mindful and considerate state.

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Lorna is also performing in a show called, Birdland, a jazz and soul vocal harmony trio with  Jess Abrams and Marianne Patrick at the Callander Indoor Arena on Saturday night.

 Today we welcome the Blues songwriter, vocalist and guitar player, Guy Tortora.   Born in the United States although now living in London, Guy is one of the leading lights in the European Blues ‘n’ Roots music scene.  He will be performing at the Callander Jazz & Blues Festival with his band, The Guy Tortora Band on Saturday 4th October at the Bridgend House Hotel.  Lets chat with Guy to find out more about his music….

1.    What inspired your love of Blues?

When I was growing up in S. California it was at a time when blues music suddenly became more accessible to young white kids like myself and there was an explosion of new sounds inspired by blues music.  Many of the older folk/blues artists had been re-discovered by a younger audience and could be seen in clubs and cafes around Los Angeles and at festivals.  A new generation had taken up the music, too:   Taj Mahal, Shuggie Otis, Paul Butterfield, etc.  Blues had already been incorporated into rock & roll in the 50’s, and so much of 60’s and 70’s rock was blues influenced too.  It was so different from the bland pop music that came before it.

2.    How would you describe your show?

The show is a mix of acoustic and electric music.  We play a lot of my original songs, inspired by folk, jazz and blues and mix in some of the familiar standards that we like to do in our own way.

3.    What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

Well, I guess we’ve seen it all at one time or another:  flood, fire, fights, earthquake (just a little one – in LA) or as Johnny Cash put it:  “the mud ‘n’ the blood ‘n’ the beer”.

4.    What was the last Festival you attended or performed at and what was it like?

Our last festival performance in the UK was at the Gloucester Festival in August.  In ‘ 07 we played there in one of the only functioning venues following the terrible floods that year.  This year by contrast we had one of the most beautiful days of the summer, and played outside by the River Severn.  Great weather, great audience – you can’t ask for more than that.

5.    What’s your best advice for young aspiring Blues musicians?

Be the best you can - but be prepared to pay your dues - expect to be poor.  If you stick with it for long enough and you’re very lucky you might actually make a living.  Whatever happens, try to enjoy the ride.

6.    Are there any dreams or goals that you have yet to fulfill?

It would be easier to list the ones I have achieved!  As a musician you’re always looking to find pastures new, and introduce your music to folks who haven’t heard it yet.  There’s still a long way to go.

7.    What is the best advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

Try and play in the same key as the rest of the band!  I do my best!

8.    What are the best books you have read and why do you like them?

A biography of Tom Paine who wrote “The Rights of Man” and other works, and who was influential in the thinking of the Enlightenment.   It gave me a great insight into the turbulent times in which he lived,and which formed the American State.

9.    Who is the person you most admire and why?

Gandhi, who established principles of non-violent action that inspired the civil rights movement and needs to be remembered in this world today.

10.    If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

The Golden Rule:  “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!”.

Today we interview legendary James B. Carr of The Fabulous Corvettes. The Fabulous Corvettes exploded into existence in the Spring of 2008. From the depths of cyberspace, the call of the blues was answered one misty Edinburgh April morning by four soul brothers:

•    Graham ‘The LickSmith’: guitar

•    Houndog Fraser: bass

•    James B. Carr: vox and occasional harp

•    Peter ‘Stix’ Rabjohns: drums

This newly formed and  experienced band of musicians are playing live at the Callander Jazz & Blues Festival on Saturday 4th October.  So let’s chat with James to learn more about him and The Fabulous Corvettes…

1.    What inspired your love of the Blues?

Buying an Elvis LP from Woolworths as a teenager, donation of a number of classic jazz LPs from a neighbour including the fabulous Nina Simone, hearing a great singer/songwriter called Freddie White when on family holidays in Cork (Ireland), the Preservation Hall in Edinburgh, discovering that I had a voice suited to the blues and then all that I learned from the guys in my first blues band, The James Carr Band.

2.    How would you describe your show?

Our shows are great for dancing to, full of fun, exciting, professional and featuring the very talented musicians that are Houndog (bass), LickSmith (guitar) and Stix (drums).3.    What are your funniest and worst experiences performing in front of an audience?

Funniest: Playing to an audience of one person (my good pal Jimmy) in one of our recent gigs at the Counting House at the Edinburgh Free Fringe Festival. We eventually sent him to the bar and used the experience as a very useful practice session in a great venue.  We got full(er) houses for our other gigs, honest!

Worst: As above, although the after show party more than made up for it.

4.    What was the last Festival you attended or performed at and what was it like?

The Edinburgh Free Fringe Festival, a fantastic experience owing to the very enthusiastic audiences and the chance to bump into other performers e.g. Craig Cheyne who became a fan of ours and is a very talented comedian, screenwriter and actor soon to be appearing in a new Matt Damon film.

5.    What’s your best advice for young aspiring Blues musicians?

Attend open mic nights e.g. the Wednesday Jazz Open Mic Night at 80 Queen Street in Edinburgh, seek out other musicians to jam with e.g. by putting an advert on Gumtree and Bandmix and take a few lessons to build confidence (I took some classical singing lessons which gave me the belief that I could be successful at band auditions).

6.    What are your greatest achievements? Are there any dreams or goals that you have yet to fulfill?

Musically speaking:  Greatest achievements: Helping to get The Fabulous Corvettes together and gigging in a short space of time (approximately 15 gigs under our belts since April 2008), Grade 7 piano, running a lively and friendly open mic night that helped other acts to hone their skills in time for their appearances at the Edinburgh Festival, playing an after show party for the cast and crew (OK, mainly crew!) of Riverdance.

Dreams and goals: Play more festivals and quality venues, begin supporting well known blues, jazz and soul artists by 2009, raise the band profile generally and make an impact on the blues circuit, pass grade 8 piano, write more songs and learn how to play the saxophone, trumpet and fiddle and improve on accordion, guitar and keyboards, learn more jazz tunes.

7.    What is the best advice you have ever been given? And did you follow it?

‘Dinna let yer modesty wrang ye’ … I’m working on it!

8.    What is the best book you have read and why do you like it?

Currently reading ‘Ripples from the Zambezi: passion, entrepreneurship and the rebirth of local economies’ by Ernesto Sirolli, a very inspiring account of what local communities can achieve given the right type of encouragement, facilitation and support.

9.    Who is the person you most admire and why?

Mohammed Ali for his supreme skill, dedication to his sport, ability to inspire people and his outstanding wit and intellect.

My parents, for their tremendous strength of character, humour, willingness to help others when needed, and for funding the piano lessons that enabled me to step into the wonderful world of music at the tender age of 5.

10.    If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

That schools provide young people with the opportunity to explore their abilities across a wide range of subjects that include the arts and sport.

It’s Jazz up the Trossachs with the 3rd Callander Jazz & Blues Festival!  For many people Callander is where the “real” Scotland starts - it is THE Gateway to the Highlands.  The scenic charms of the Trossachs with its glens, wooded hills and serene bodies of water is the perfect place to enjoy the genres and sub-genres of up tempo jazz and moody Blues.

This three day festivals starts on Friday 3rd October showcasing 50 talented national and international Jazz and Blues musicians.   There are 18 venues in Callander itself with 2 new venues in neighbouring Aberfoyle.  There are a selection of tickets to suit every pocket from Weekend or Day Rover Tickets to single performance tickets at £5 each.

If you fancy a taster of what’s up north this weekend you can check out a feast of jazz and blues Virtual Flyers from many of the supremely talented performers at the Callander Jazz & Blues Festival.

Don’t forget this is Rob Roy country (the Scottish Robin Hood of the 18th century) and the location of Sir Walter Scott’s romantic narrative,  The Lady of  the Lake  based on the Arthurian legend but transferred to Loch Katrine in the Trossachs.  I digress here as this neatly calls to mind the excellent new BBC drama series called Merlin, about the Arthurian Legend  in a contemporary Harry Potter guise.

Looking forward to seeing you all up north in the cooling climes of the Trossachs for some great Jazz and Blues.