Radio session knees-up

I can't believe how regular I'm becoming on this blog. It won't last! While I'm on a roll, though, last night's shindig at Saint FM was a blast. I've been fortunate that the lovely Anver, who runs the show, has been playing my songs pretty much since I first went in for an interview, oh, about six months ago now. As such, I've been in the loop with the station and heard lots of the names of the other artists who were there, but not always managed to hear their tracks. So it was really nice to get to meet everyone finally and see them perform live in the studio.

Lots of talented folk were involved, and I had some nice little chats with Jazmine Ava and her band, Bright Star, Lizzie B, Andy McKay and Jamie Williams.

I wasn't sure how it would feel playing live in the studio - it was just me, solo, on piano and voice. But actually I enjoyed it - weirdly, it was almost easier to get into because it was a performance, but without the pressure of reading the audience's reactions etc - I could just get lost in my own little world: something I'm a bit of an expert in, as it happens...

There was also a screen in the main room, so you could see the various artists perform when you weren't on air. The whole night was a bit of a do, with lots of local "dignitaries", press and the like, and no small amount of bling, in the form of great big mayoral chains and other ceremonial attire. So, quite an event, all in all. Onwards and upwards!

Live session on Saint FM tonight!

I'm joining in a live music knees-up this evening at Saint FM, as it celebrates the first anniversary of its Unsigned show, which I was interviewed on earlier this year before the release of my album.

There are some amazing acts taking part and I will also be playing two live, unplugged songs as part of the show. Running time is from 9pm-11pm. I will be interviewed towards the beginning of the show and playing towards the end!

Tune in on either 94.7FM or online at www.saintfm.org.uk.

Musician review

Check out another top review for my album, What A Woman Shouldn't Do, this time from Musician Magazine, (the Musicians' Union's official journal):

"A thought-provoking and powerful CD of originals from mellow jazz and soul crooner / pianist Julie. Having begun writing while studying at the Guildhall, the attention to detail and intelligence here shines through to provide a varied, accomplished album."
Keith Ames, Musician Magazine
December 2008

Say no to hibernation

In these bleak winter days, it's hard to go out during the day, let alone venture out at night. However, I feel one has to take a stand against these hibernatory instincts, otherwise it's just a slippery slope, isn't it? You'd spend all winter cooped up, then get to May and think, what have I done for the last six months?

In that spirit, I've seen some inspiring and interesting gigs in the last couple of weeks - hell, I've even done some! First off, I caught an audiovisual extravaganza by The Real Tuesday Weld at the V&A, as part of its Cold War Weekend. If you haven't heard of him, The Real Tuesday Weld melds electronica with jazz-inspired riffs and nostalgic-sounding samples.The soundtrack he created for this particular event, with live band, had a backdrop of mainly Cold War footage, punctuated by a dictator-like figure (David Piper) commanding us to "love" and fall in line with the new "State of Love". A nicely subversive take on the whole theme, I thought. I'd also forgotten what an amazing space the V&A is - perfect for a big-scale event like this. The place was rammed.

I also managed to catch Cellorhythmics at the Vortex - I'd been meaning to see them for ages, ever since I read a write-up about them the first time I took a show to Edinburgh (2005). Better late than never, eh! Their line-up has expanded considerably since then, though - instead of three cellists, there are now 10 musicians, with a more expansive sound world to match. The simplest way to describe it would be classical-jazz fusion, but that doesn't really do them justice - there's so much more going on than that. Apart from virtuosic musicianship, there are bits of Bollywood, '70s cop carve-ups and Irish fiddle-inspired airs. Great stuff.

Weirdly, I ran into a couple of the band members at my Rythme Futur gig at the Chelsea Arts Club last night - small world, eh. Of course, the Rythme Future repertoire is slightly more conventional, you could say, than what I heard at the Vortex! However, it was a really fun gig, with our own dash of French and Spanish flair, I like to think...Apart from George Trebar (bass) and Simon Moore (guitar), we also had virtuosic flourishes from our violinist, Andy Aitchison, who wowed the crowd on not a few occasions. The album I recorded with those guys, by the way, is nearly ready and should be out early next year. So watch this space for updates.

National Theatre and the Courtauld Institute

Gigs are like buses - they all tend to come along at once. In the last week, I've had gigs of my own, plus lots of ambitious plans to see others I was invited to. First off, thanks to everyone who came to see me at the National Theatre on Saturday. I really enjoyed meeting so many new people, and from all over the world - one of the nice things about the South Bank, I think. Both the sessions I did were duo gigs, so I was on the joanna, plus Andrew Milloy on bass in the afternoon, then Sam Chaplin on trumpet in the evening. Keeps me on my toes.

I didn't make the other gigs I'd planned to see, but I did get to a creative workshop at the Courtauld Institute on Sunday, for which I feel very virtuous. It was an interdisciplinary event run by poet Dzifa Benson, musician Mikey Kirpatrick and visual artist Craig Dow, so we all got to have a go at things we might not normally do. Despite a slight lack of time (or maybe because of it), it definitely got the creative juices flowing. I met loads of interesting people - lots of writers and poets, plus a few visual types. It gave me one of those lovely warm Ready-Brek feelings about living in London.

Back on the blog

Funny that the last time I wrote in here, I hadn't posted anything for a while either. Well, this must be the mother of all breaks from a blog, if ever there was one. To start in January and return in (nearly) December is some hiatus.

That's not to imply there hasn't been anything going on. It's been a ludicrously busy year, and much as I have thought about chronicling some of the events here, I'm not really one for immediate, pithy reactions while trying to make multiple other things happen.

If you hadn't already noticed, I've had an album out this year. It's called What A Woman Shouldn't Do (Shrewd Records), and not only is it available for sale on this website, you can also buy it on iTunes, Amazon.co.uk, CDBaby, Ray's Jazz at Foyles and Coles.

I've been fortunate enough to receive some very nice reviews, too, most of which you can find on my News page, or MySpace.

And if you've been been following this website or perused the gallery of late, you will have noticed I’ve been gadding about somewhat these past few months, playing songs from the album. First was our September excursion to New York and Chicago, where I was very fortunate to be joined on a few numbers by the marvellous pianist Jon Regen at the Cutting Room in NYC. In Chicago, we were treated to a beautiful studio space at at Davenport’s, complete with grand piano, brilliant sound and a lovely audience.

Since then, we’ve also been at the Union Chapel (north London) and the Kitchen Garden Cafe in Birmingham, and tomorrow (Saturday 29 Nov), I have a couple of duo gigs at the National Theatre foyer.

After such a long absence, I think that's quite enough for now. Do check in again - I promise to be back sooner than last time...

Happy New Year

Well, it's been a while. But I'm pleased to be starting on a good foot (or several good feet - can you say that?). First off, I'm playing at the Freedom of Expression night again this evening at the Perseverance in Marylebone, London. It's not my first gig of the year, but it's my first purely originals gig. Amazingly, they now have a keyboard there, so I don't have to bring my own - hooray! It's the little things in life, eh...Also, I'll be accompanied by a fab bassist, Dan Ezard. That'll keep me company! Plus it should, hopefully be streamed on the web, on this link. I don't know yet what time we're on, but the evening kicks off around 8pm.

I also had a good rehearsal yesterday with guitarist Patrick Naylor for our gig at the Red Hedgehog next Sunday 3 Feb. As a pianist, it's always nice to hear the ideas Patrick comes up with on the guitar that I would never have thought of. We're going to do a mix of originals and some other well-chosen covers, plus Sam Chaplin is going to join us for a few numbers on the trumpet. It's going to be a really nice gig.