TrumpetBoy
Trumpets, Music, Gadgets, Web Dev. and any other nonsense I feel like mentioning…
Archive for February, 2006
Local Flavour in Copenhagen!
Feb 24th
Local Flavour in Copenhagen!
One wonders what Dan was doing on his travels that day…
Uploaded by tptboy on 24th February, 2006.
I laughed out loud when Mr Dibdin showed me this photo of his discovery in Copenhagen. Sadly, I found a peurile humour in the subject itself but much funnier, to me, is the look of glee in his face!!
Life Outside The Rat Pack!?!
Feb 22nd
It’s been a good week or so touring around Denmark so far. The show has been well received and, despite long hours on the bus, everybody seems to be getting along ok! The heartening thing for me has been glimpses of life outside of the tour. I’ve had a few communications with home that mean I’ll have some other things to do to break up the grind of playing the same show for months on end.
The other day I was pleased to receive a call from AlmeidaGirl herself. Kirsty called to ask when I was around to go into the studio with Descarga and record the new CD. I’ve been looking forward to this for a while and it seems like it’ll happen in a couple of months time. Watch this space for more details!
I heard from my good friend Tony Faulkner yesterday. He’s planning to reform and record his Jazz Orchestra in the summer. I used to play in his LCM band when I was at college and the writing is terrific. I understand that he’s written some new charts and wants to put them down with “a decent band”. I’m honoured to be included in that! I’ve had the good fortune to have Tony play in my Quintet for the last few gigs we’ve had and he’s been great to have around. It’s sometimes a little strange to work with your former teachers but Tony has always treated me as a peer, something for which I’m most grateful!
Finally, I ran across an announcement on the Jazz In Leeds Forum from my friend Colin Byrne. He started his own Jazz Orchestra last year which I unfortunately wasn’t around to participate in. Nevertheless, he’s just released the bands debut CD and launched a new website. I wish him the best of luck and I hope to have a chance to play with the band sometime. Check it out at BigBandByrne.com!
Mysterious ‘Test Events’
Feb 18th
The astute among the 2 of you will notice “Test Event” listings appearing in the sidebar and on the new, temporary, Events page.
In case you’re wondering what that’s about, I’m testing a plugin which I’m doctoring for use on Wordpress-powered sites for Musicians. When I’ve got everything working to my satisfaction, they’ll disappear again!
Well What Do You Know?
Feb 16th
Surprisngly, it seems that Radisson Hotels here in Denmark do offer free WiFi! I take it all back….
Back on the Bus…
Feb 15th
We’re spending the next 2 weeks of the Rat Pack tour up in Denmark and Sweden. This is a definite change of pace for us, particularly since we’re playing one-nighters and consequently have to ride the bus every day.
We’ve settled into a good touring rhythm over the last year and a half: rarely spending less than a week in a venue and sometimes a month or more. This week has already reminded me how easy we have it compared to a few years ago when I did all those one-nighter tours for B,C & E. It just goes to prove how much a touring experience is defined by habit. Riding the in a coach for hours a day can be a back breaking experience. It doesn’t take long for you to feel really twisted out of shape.
A positive so far has been the free Wireless Internet offered by the Scandic Hotel chain here in Denmark. We stayed at the Scandic in Ringsted the last 2 nights and I’m writing now from the Scandic in Herning. Given the amount I’ve spent on WiFi over the past year this is certainly a refreshing change. It’s interesting to see the difference with how the Internet is clearly regarded as more of a commodity in Germany and the rest of Europe, whereas here in Denmark, it almost seems to be viewed as a right. Cultural differences like this never fail to amaze me – particularly when the 2 countries in question are neighbours.
I should also take a moment to bid a fond farewell to Andy Cuss. Andy has been playing Lead Trumpet since the beginning of this tour and left us this past Sunday. I’m proud to have the dubious honour of replacing him in the Lead chair. Dubious because he’s a fantastic Trumpet player and has a remarkable ability to infuse any situation with tremendous excitement and energy whether on or off stage. He has been a good friend to us all and despite our personal ups and downs during the last 20 months or so, I shall certainly miss having him around. I have some large shoes to fill!!
Right, off now in search of lunch and phonecards. More touring tales to follow but probably not for a couple of days. I bet the Radisson in Arhus doesn’t give you free WiFi….