In this video I wanted to match beautiful and inspiring imagery with one of my favourite tracks from ‘Reflections In Blue’. I chose snow-capped mountains and sunsets and the track’s two main sections. Enjoy the flight!
The video has received a great initial reaction on social media including my Facebook page. So I’ve decided to do more videos soon – watch this space 🙂
When ‘Reflections in Blue‘ was released last November, I explained that the album is a collection of pieces inspired by strong memories and atmospheric events in my life. Today I’d like to share with you a new video and also the story behind the music.
When I lived in London many years ago, I often frequented the South Bank either to watch concerts and rehearsals or to sometimes to perform in concert myself. There was one notable evening after performing at the Purcell Rooms when I had to walk through an underpass nearby and was shocked at the number of homeless people sleeping rough. I remember it vividly as it was a miserable, wet night and they were huddled up in cardboard boxes.
When I was writing the new album, the memory echoed strongly when I chanced upon an article about the plight of the homeless in New York. I was shocked to learn that the New York municipal shelter system houses over 61,000 homeless people including over 24,000 children every night of the week.
So I created the music and the video in the hope more people will become aware of the problem of homelessness.
Great news for those who prefer downloads to CDs.
“Reflections in Blue” is now in my Digital Store – click here
If you want a CD there’s still time to get your copy before Christmas – order here
Signed copies are no problem – just ask 🙂
The new album ‘Reflections In Blue’ (for Guitar and Orchestra) is now available on CD. It’s been a year in the making and I’m really happy with the result. I am not signed to a big label so I’ve chosen to release it on my own label of Dark Sea Records.
More details, snippets from the tracks and CD purchase options here.
The idea for the album title came to me in two ways. Firstly, the pieces were written as personal reflections on times and places in my life. Secondly, as so often in my music, I wanted to feature a colour. I actually see music in colour – but that’s a story for another time! Choosing the colour blue was easy because I purposely chose to include elements of blues and jazz harmony in most of the tracks. So there is a ‘story’ to each piece and I’ll share a couple of those with you now.
This piece describes a magical day a couple of years ago just south of Paris when I visited a small village on the river Loing called Grez. I had wanted to find where the Yorkshire-born composer Frederick Delius lived and where much of his best music had been created. Many icons of 20th century music and art had been visitors there including Rodin, Elgar, Peter Warlock and Sir Thomas Beecham. I was lucky enough to meet the current owner and was invited in. The garden in particular made a big impression and had a truly magical atmosphere which will stay with me forever.
Many years ago I played Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London and in the audience were some record company executives from Japan. After the concert I was offered a 2 week tour of Japan to help promote acoustic music. In between concerts I did a little sightseeing including a visit to the great Buddha statue at Kamakura. What made the visit particularly special was that my father had been there during his military service in 1947.
Visit the Music section for more about ‘Reflections In Blue‘.
At last I can confirm that the new album is ready for release. Just a few finishing touches to add to the artwork (which I decided to do myself) and it’s off to the pressing plant!
Release date currently set at 11 November.
A Newsletter with advance information will be going out shortly. So if you haven’t already subscribed, please do so using the form to the right →
As mentioned in a previous post, I was kept busy this winter recording a new album of music for guitar and orchestra. It’s unlike anything I’ve done before and I’m delighted with the ‘journey’ it has so far taken me on. I just have the final mix to complete and it would have been ready earlier but for having to devote time to another project.
My Edel Rhapsody for solo Bflat Wagner Tuba and Orchestra has been generating a lot of interest with many requests throughout last year for a piano reduction of the score. There are many Wagner Tuba players who don’t have ready access to an orchestra and conductor yet who want to play the music.
So I decided to do what, to be honest, I should have done well before now. It was one of those tasks where you find yourself thinking ‘Yes, that’s it, finished!’ but then reflect and decide on further refinements but the good news is that it is now complete and I’m very happy with it.
Having a version for Wagner Tuba and Piano is going to allow many more players to enjoy performing the music. Follow the link for details on how to obtain the sheet music.
Now back to that mix ….
Been busy in the studio working on a new album of compositions for guitar and orchestra. More on that soon.
In the meantime here is a new video of a recently remixed track entitled Song Of Autumn.
BTW The woolly jumper isn’t a fashion statement …
it was too cold when we did the filming!
Welcome to my new website which I hope you’ll find easy to navigate and full of information about my musical activities. As some of you will already know, I’ve had a lot of time away from music not by choice but mainly due to family circumstances.
In the past few months I have once again been working pretty much full time on music with the production of a recording of my Edel Rhapsody for Wagner Tuba and Orchestra which can be heard here.
At the moment I’m recording a new album containing material written many years ago plus some brand-new tracks as well. I hope to complete this new album by the New Year and will post updates to it on my Facebook page.
On the subject of albums, this new website for the first time has all my previously recorded CDs for sale. So if you want to get hold of any of these please visit the Music page here.
Before I go I would just add that I have posted a new video onto my videos page just in time for Halloween which I think pretty much fits with the theme. It’s a Gothic fantasy created using music from ‘Gargantuan’ (Earth in Turquoise album). Here’s the link
Hope you enjoy it……