I once heard somebody say that they could always find reasons not to go out for a run. Maybe the weather, or something on TV or a phone call to make, or whatever. But once they'd got out of the door, and spent half an hour jogging and breathing in fresh air, they were ALWAYS glad they'd done it. I realised that for me, going out to see live music is a bit like this. Especially if the performer is
someone I've never seen or heard of before, making the effort to get to a venue, perhaps forking out for a ticket, or finding someone else who's up for it, can all just seem like too much hassle. And what if it's sold out when I get there? But once I do manage to get over all these things, and just go, it's almost always good for the soul, whether it was an amazing gig or just someone singing some familiar old songs, or because I met someone and had a great conversation. And frankly I know as a musician, that it's extremely rare to be unable to get into a gig because the venue's full. So last year, when a friend who manages a largely unknown jazz trio called "Phronesis" asked if I might help find them a venue to fill a spare date on their tour of the South West in February, I hesitated. But I'd recently discovered the very fine piano in St Lawrence Chapel, and thought it would be a perfect place for them to play, so I threw caution to the wind and became a 'promoter', booked the hall, and started wondering how to persuade people to come. Then, I heard that the band's 2010 album had been voted best of the year by both Mojo and Jazzwise magazines. Suddenly this persuasion problem seemed to become a little easier. And, on 13 Feb 2011, the Chapel was very nearly filled to the brim with 100 people, for what turned out to be an amazing gig. Afterwards, some people told me that it hadn't been totally their musical cup of tea, but they were glad they came, and if I put on some more, they might come again and that it had been great to have such talented musicians performing on our doorstep, rather than having to travel to Exeter or Plymouth or even further. So, I'm having another go, with a series of very different artists – all of whom I know to be truly amazing musicians. I think in every case, they're performers who I'd say you don't need to be a fan of a particular type of music to really enjoy what they do because they're also great entertainers, as well as just being lovely people! You can see the list in the ad on page # # #. While none of them are 'famous' (although they all deserve to be) they all perform regularly in top venues and festivals in the UK and around the world. The first concert on 17 July is a real treat, with Leonid Vintskevich from Russia, plus his son Nikolai on sax. Leonid plays at the top jazz festivals around the world, and is a spectacular performer; this will be a special night. Then in August, country duo McKenZie will grace the chapel stage. I'm not the biggest fan of 'Country Music' in the world, though I really do admire Dolly Parton! These guys perform original songs, which I think transcend the genre, and deserve to be heard in a concert setting. Singer, Zoe Caryl was Annie on the West End stage aged 5, and has been singing professionally ever since. she comes from a bit of a musical dynasty: her parents Celia Nichols and Ronnie Caryl were the house band on the QE2 for 30 years, and her brother Ronnie plays guitar with Phil Collins. For two weeks in October, we have some amazing singers in Joe Stilgoe and Aimua Eghbamien. Then in November, theg gorgeous live multitracking of bassist Steve Lawson with Lobelia providing the vocals, and yours truly on saxphone. Links to music from all of these on www.ashburtonlive.co.uk. What about the ticket prices? At £10 a ticket, if we get a good audience, then it covers the costs and pays a fee to the people involved that might just come somewhere near the minimum wage when all things are considered. Let me know if you think it's fair? I hope that having a real half price concession ticket means that nobody can't afford to come if they'd like to. If you fall in the middle somewhere, then get in touch, and I'll sort something out. I love the fact that here in the middle of Devon, it's possible to see live music from all over the world, in tiny rooms rather than huge theatres, like the recent fantastic Blues Festival and other odd things that crop up from time to time, eg pianist Julian Joseph performing one afternoon in St Andrew's Church as part of the Two Moors Festival. I hope this little bunch of events will add something to the mix that makes this town such a lovely place to live. I've started an email list about local live music – things that I'm involved in plus anything else that I come across. If you'd like to be on it, send a mail to [email protected]. Likewise if you know about something that you think more people should know about, send me the details and I'll pass them along. Andy Williamson, Ashburton June 2011. www.bigbuzzard.co.uk & www.ashburtonlive.co.uk
