Had a mighty fine evening on Monday; I went to the Royal Festival Hall to watch Peter Cincotti perform. If you haven’t heard of him, he’s the latest in a new wave of young musicians (he’s 20!) to draw from the well of the ‘old school’; this time it’s jazz – and he’s pretty damn good at it too.
Peter Cincotti is in fact in a position where he’s had to interrupt his studies at Columbia University in NY to do this tour – oh, the pressure! I was accompanied to the gig by the lovely Andrea, who’s an alumnus of Columbia, so feels a certain affinity with the guy, in fact almost an obligation to go along and support him – not that there was a single ticket unsold for this gig!
All in all, a very talented guy, and well worth watching to see where his career goes. Banging away ably on a Steinway grand piano, and backed up by an exceptionally talented band of drums, double bass and tenor sax, he rocked the joint. Oh, I do love seeing live jazz – yessir! I noted from the RFH’s literature that Chick Corea will be playing there in the coming months – might just have to go along to that one…
Back to life, back to reality. Working hard, playing – well, medium hard when I get the chance, and starting to really look forward more and more to what 2004 has in store. Recording, jamming, a potential gig in April (but whisper it; it might not come off – I only heard about it an hour ago!), as well as murmurs of some exciting stuff in the world of business. Bring – it – ON!
Ooh ooh – news and gossip happening practically on my doorstep: long-time mucker and fabulously talented chef John is currently engaged in dress rehearsals for his TV appearance next week – and five days a week for the next 12 weeks! My mate the celebrity!!! He’s taking part in a show called Fit Club, which for the Stylites among you is a show where people lose weight to win prizes. And they get to have John cook for them, the lucky buggers. Starting next week, I’m told at 6:30pm Monday to Friday, and I *think* it’s Channel 4, although with my sieve-like noggin, don’t quote me…
Well, nose back to the grindstone – head down and bum up, as my mate Kiz would say (although I’ve always thought that sounded particularly rude, but nevermind!); got a lotta fun ahead, and I’ll keep you posted on the news as it happens.
“This is Alan Cunnane, for Happenins News, in Beckenham…“