Becki Biggins

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+ Jazzmasters 6, Marlborough Jazz and Sir Michael Pa (24/07/2010 - 14:09:18)

Jazzmasters 6, Marlborough Jazz and Sir Michael Parkinson!

For the next week I'll be putting my teaching qualification to good use on the Montgomery Holloway Music Trust summer school. It's my first summer school as a singing tutor, and has a certain feeling of coming full circle, as it was on this same week six years ago that I properly started singing jazz. The prospect has given me a couple of minutes' quiet contemplation. This is always dangerous, as (certainly in my case) quiet contemplation can lead to either quiet satisfaction or quiet depression. Thankfully, the last two weeks have been professionally awesome...

Jazzmasters 6, my latest collaboration with Paul Hardcastle, came out on Tuesday. In the past few days, it's been the most downloaded jazz album on iTunes US, the most popular Smooth Jazz album on Amazon US, and has even graced the Pop album download charts. It's the second album that Paul and I have worked on together, and I'm really proud of the songs on it, not least The Vision, still my proudest songwriting achievement. The 13-track album features six vocal tracks, which are all co-written by Paul and myself. Did I mention I'm very proud of it? If you think you might like to preview the tracks, just go to iTunes and search for Jazzmasters 6 - and if you like the album, you can download it from the same place!

Two weeks ago, I sang at the Marlborough Jazz Festival for the third year in succession. It was a very warm evening and, I'm pleased to say, we were very warmly received. The set has changed a little in recent months - I've (temporarily) put down my saxophone in order to work on my improvising. Sounds strange but, in the words of Malcolm Edmonstone, if you can sing it, you can play it. So, it's vocal solos only for the time being, and my work on vocal improvising seems to be paying off. Good news! The gig itself was a LOT of fun - a huge audience came to check us out, and stuck around despite our set finishing at nearly 1am, and it's always great to play in front of a friendly festival crowd. I can't wait for next year.

The next evening was exciting, nervewracking and, ultimately, very rewarding. I was singing with the Laurie Holloway Big Band, and the gig was being compered by Sir Michael Parkinson. It was a good thing I knew the tunes well, as there's nothing more offputting than hearing Parky say your name. How on earth was I supposed to sing after one of my biggest ambitions was realised? Parky said my name. PARKY SAID MY NAME!!! A grand total of four times, as it happened. But what a great evening - singing with a Big Band is such a thrill, and one I've not experienced since my NYJO days. (I'd almost forgotten just how LOUD 17 musicians can be...)

So, July has been AWESOME so far - just a week's wonderful work before I have my week's holiday in West Wales. Can't wait. For either.

I've not blogged for AGES!

... and it's terrible, particularly as there's so much going on. In chronological order:

April 19th - Release of 19 The Vision - the remake of Paul Hardcastle's hit 19 on the 25th anniversary of its release. This is really exciting, as I co-wrote the song and sing the vocal part. The good thing about the 'message' of the song (that we could do far more in showing support to our troops) is that it's getting loads of media attention; there's a short interview on the BBC website, and Reuters have picked up the story, promting over 18000 links to appear on Google. There was also a full-page story in the Sunday People on April 4th.

The bad news is that most radio stations (commercial and otherwise) see the song as being too anti-government, particularly preceding a general election, and have refused to add it to their playlists. Paul recorded an interview for BBC's The One Show, which was supposed to be aired tonight (Tuesday 6th April), but this has been shelved until after the election. So... good news and bad.

April 29th - Gig at The Maidment Building, Shrewsbury. This is my first gig in my hometown for a good few years, and I'm really excited about it. I'll be performing with John Moore, a fantastic musician, and it feels great to be looking forward to playing for a home crowd again. Ticket details are on the Dates page.

April 30th - Official release of my new album, The +Ve, at Pizza Express, Soho. This is the late show on Friday April 30th, and I'll be performing (most of) the songs from the new album, with the Laurie Holloway Trio. I'm so spoilt!!! I can't wait for this one, as Pizza Express is probably my favourite place to play. The acoustics, staff and atmosphere are truly excellent. Again, for ticket details go to the Dates page.

So, it's a busy old time (not to mention that there are more dandelions than grass in my poor excuse for a lawn at the moment, and the roof appears to be leaking...). A quick fast-forward to July sees my first performances with a Big Band since I sang with NYJO all those years ago, and the release of Jazzmasters 6, on which I've co-written the vocal tracks. So, exciting times!

Ooh, one more thing - Paul and I were recently nominated for Best Group in the American Smooth Jazz Awards, so watch this space - I'll keep you updated with news as I get it!

Becki x

The +Ve and Fabulous Fulbourn

It's been a great week; not one, but two really exciting things have happened:

The first was the delivery of my new album, The +Ve ("The Positive") on Tuesday. I sat down at the kitchen table and listened to it twice through, not quite believing that it was actually finished and that seven boxes, filled with 1173 CDs, were piled up in my living room. The album's here, it's done, and I'm very, very proud of it. I've already posted the tracks as downloads in the Shop part of the website, but hang on for audio clips - I'm on the case! When the audio clips are available, I'll put physical copies up for sale on the website...

The second was Friday's sell-out gig at the Six Bells in Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire, organised with military precision by Lynne Olney, Dave's (the bass player) wife. From start to finish, it was an incredibly enjoyable evening, which began with the most chilled-out soundcheck I think we've ever had. Then it was back to Lynne and Dave's for a much-needed and much enjoyed supper, and on to the gig. My goodness - I don't know if I've ever seen a small room so full of absolutely lovely people. And the music was so good too. I was only slightly concerned by Malcolm's personal challenge of playing the entire 1 hour 40 minutes' worth of music without, well, any music but, of course, it was Malcolm and so there was no problem... As I'd just received the CDs, I had to start selling them then and there, and I was actually slightly concerned that I'd under-estimated the buying power of the audience and that I'd run out. It was a close thing!

Thanks to everyone who was involved in the success of Friday, and if you think we could play in your village/town/amphitheatre and fill the place, get in touch!!! (Just make sure there's a home-cooked supper waiting!)

More exciting news about my work with Paul Hardcastle is next, so be sure to check the blog again soon,

Becki x

Paul is being cagey...

Hi all,

Hmm... I've not got much news today, except that my writing partner and favourite Chelsea supporter, Paul Hardcastle, has something up his sleeve...

I don't think it's got anything to do with the Christmas single (which, by the way, is out now, and which you can listen to by clicking on the Home page of the website), but may have something to do with a track we wrote and recorded earlier this year.

Apparently, all will be revealed on Christmas Day as the remixed track, and the news about what he's done with it, form my Christmas present. How very cryptic...

If anyone has any ideas about what he might be up to, please let me know!

Becki x

Lawrence Dallaglio (and Prince Harry)...

Hi All,

Not sure if I'm meant to talk about this, as it's more to do with my private gigs than my public ones, but I've been working for a certain Chairman of the Dallaglio Foundation recently! And he is HUGE. Seriously. Those of you who have ever seen me perform will know that, next to an average-sized human being, I look fairly petite. When hugged by Lawrence earlier on today, I had to wonder whether onlookers realised I was actually there...

So, despite being slightly overwhelmed, the gig was a roaring success and, of course, great fun. Today's gig was, however, the second of my performances for the Dallaglio Foundation of late, the first being an event called 8 Rocks. This was the foundation's inaugural event, and raised over £600,000 for MacMillan.

I was the first performer on stage - the biggest stage I've ever performed on, btw - to be followed by (unbelievably) Lemar, and Tom Chaplin from Keane! In the audience were stars of stage, screen, the rugby pitch and... Prince Harry!

It was exciting, awe-inspiring and, as quickly as it had begun, it was over... Let's just hope that the next gig for HRH is by Royal Appointment.

Becki x

Swindon, you were brilliant!

I have to say that this time yesterday, I didn't have high hopes for last night's gig at The Wheatsheaf, in Swindon's Old Town.

Nothing at all against the people of Swindon, but for a musician hearing the phrase "Free Admission" really does fill you with dread.

How wrong I was! The gig was marvellous - Alex Steele on piano and Clive Morton on bass were a pleasure to work with, as always - and the audience were magnificent. Things that really made my night were, in no particular order:

1. The pub was absolutely packed. Always a good sign

2. The promoter (Steve) and landlord (Alex) were totally welcoming, and there was even a bit of a buffet during the interval!

3. The audience was in no way shy or retiring - I think I probably had a chat with most of the attendees. Those of you that know me well will realise that I actually spent more time talking than singing...

So, thanks to everyone who came to the Wheatsheaf last night. I had a great time, and I really hope you did too. There will be a review by Sam Vaughan in next month's Wiltshire Ocelot, so do look out for that. And, if you were around last night, get in touch and let me know what you thought!

Becki

Lauriecamp - Recording of the New Album!

For the last two days, I've been camping out at the home of friend and ridiculously accomplished pianist and bandleader, Laurie Holloway.

No, I've not been kicked out of my house: we've been recording the new and, as yet, untitled second album. Featuring tracks such as Blue Moon, Accentuate the Positive, Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight and Who Will Comfort Me? it's a collection of the songs that have made up a huge part of my live set for the last six months.

So recording day finally arrived and, after a terrible night's sleep, I set off to Laurie's. Recording engineer and ace musician Jules Jackson arrived first, along with the piano tuner. When I arrived at 9.20, Laurie was happily engaged in the golf on Sky Sports, and Jules and the tuner were hard at work getting ready for the session. I generally pottered, fairly unhelpful to proceedings, until Dave Olney and Harold Fisher arrived shortly later. As soon as the last member of our merry group, Malcolm Edmonstone, arrived, we were good to go.

Fans of Malc will be pleased to hear that we recorded one track as a duo, and then another with Dave and Harold. Laurie then took over at the piano after a great lunch, prepared for us by Dave's wife Lynne, and Malc took over the role of producer. After completing a fair few tracks in only one take, it was time to call it a night and crack open a nice Bordeaux. Malc, Jules and Harold exited not long afterwards, so myself, Lynne, Dave and Laurie were left with the prospect of a chinese and the X Factor. Suffice to say, Mr. Holloway was not amused...

Day two also proceeded with pleasing haste, and we were all done by 12.30pm, leaving Malc plenty of time to ponder how we could, and should, do this every day, and wouldn't it be easier if we all just moved in with Laurie?!

The really great thing about our two days' recording was, for me, the atmosphere that magically seemed to exist throughout the house and everyone in it; we were relaxed, we did our jobs - really well, I might add - and we were happy. If our album reflects just a fraction of how we felt making it, the result should be pretty outstanding.

I'll let you know as soon as it's ready!

Christmas Single Out Now

I've always wanted to write that, or to say it to someone...

"By the way, my Christmas Single's out now."

It doesn't feel quite real, but it's absolutely true, and I don't think it's quite registered yet. The story is this; Paul Hardcastle, with whom I've now written numerous Smooth Jazz (and other, but that's another story) songs, was approached by his American record company, Trippin' N' Rhythm, to record a song on their Christmas compilation album. They suggested a cover of Little Drummer Boy, or something equally twee and rubbish.

In true Paul style, he made a comment akin to, "No thanks very much, but if you want us to write an original Christmas song, count me in."

Now, the first fairly bizarre thing about writing a Christmas song is that, if you're going to release it in time for Christmas, you have to record it in about six months earlier. So, on a beautifully sunny day in July, Paul and I shut ourselves in the studio, pretended it was December, and wrote and recorded our song.

The second rather odd thing is that, when you record a song in July and it comes out at the end of October, you forget all about it. So, imagine my surprise when, a few weeks ago, a link was sent to my Facebook page - click here to become a fan - with a link to the track!

It's called Coming Home for Christmas, and is available now, either as part of Trippin' N' Rhythm's The Very Best of Christmas (available on Amazon) or as a digital download from iTunes - click here to buy it for just 79p.

I hope you enjoy the track - in keeping with the Christmas spirit, it's a family affair, with Paul's daughter Max providing backing vocals, and his son Paul Jnr. playing the saxophone. Let me know what you think, and Merry Christmas!

Pizza Express Dean Street - Oh My Goodness!

Dear All,

Well, I think I may have finally recovered from Tuesday's gig at Pizza Express in Soho....

The hysteria started to build at around 2.30pm when, whilst in Boots buying false eyelashes (which had mixed reviews, by the way) I had a phone call from Abigail (Hellens, my brill manager) to tell me that we were sold out. And that some very important friends couldn't get in. Ah.

And it began. When I told my hairdresser (the next stop, after Boots) that I was playing at Pizza Express and that we were sold out, Headmasters in Chiswick rapidly descended into cries of, "Oh My Goodness - that's so exciting! I'll bet you're really nervous!" Nervous? Me? Ha ha. I was terrified.

Things got worse when, on the tube, we heard the emergency announcement after discovering that police had closed Tottenham Court Road station. Happily, the survival instinct then kicked in, and I decided that my primary aim was to save my skin and get myself there. So, a couple of tubes and a taxi ride later, I arrived at the venue. And I have to say, to the detriment of this very dramatic story, that this was the moment the panic subsided. I don't know what it is, but there's something about Malcolm, Jeff and Harold that calms me down. Thank goodness.

And, to cut a long story short, the gig was great! The new tunes went down a treat, with some rather moist eyes at my new favourite, James Taylor's Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, and a ubiquitous feeling of melancholy over Melody Gardot's Who Will Comfort Me? The staff were happy, as their Big Boss was in attendance and having a great time, and even the manager of the club, who must hear more jazz than most, was schoolboyishly enthusiastic in his praise of the show. What a compliment, hey?

I must say hello and thanks to the new members of the audience, and hello and thanks again to the regulars - you were all fantastic, and I hope to see you at another gig soon. (I'm at the Bull's Head on the 15th, btw...)

Ticking "selling out Pizza Express" off the list now. What's next for me? A deal with Universal would be nice! Until that happens, keep checking back here for more news,

Becki x

Last Night at Pizza Express - Maidstone

Well, after a week of frantic creativity, where flyers, radio adverts and new arrangements were made with equal measures of gusto and panic, the Pizza Express Debut arrived…

Two minutes into the first set, gazing around at dozens of friendly, seemingly enraptured faces; I wondered why I’d been so worked up about this gig. I can honestly say that the audience at Pizza Express in Maidstone last night was one of the friendliest I’ve ever played to (not to mention the incredibly kind and helpful staff). In fact, we were having such a good time (I feel I can also speak for Simon, Jeff and Harold in this matter) that we overran the first set by a fairly hefty 15 minutes. Oops!

The new charts seemed to go down a treat, with James Taylor’s Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight and Melody Gardot’s Who Will Comfort Me being very well received indeed. We began the first set with a recently re-jigged Cheek to Cheek, which alternated between 3/4 and 5/4. Harold helpfully decided that we didn’t have enough changes of time, so as soon as I’ve posted this blog entry, I’ll update the chart to include a section in 4. This is in preparation for Tuesday’s gig at Pizza Express, Soho. My work is never done…

Except for today… I’ve decided that some R&R (rest & retail therapy) is in order, so I’ll have a wander round a slightly drizzly Hereford before meeting Ma and Pa for some dinner. See the hard core of you on Tuesday – we’re hoping for a sellout gig, so if you’ve not already visited www.pizzaexpresslive.com for your tickets, DO IT, DO IT, DO IT (in an homage to Ice Cube)…

Bull's Head - Thursday 20th August

I really don't know why playing gigs continues to scare me so much. I honestly dread them. If, at 8.10 on an evening I'm booked to perform, the venue told me they'd got the date wrong, and I was actually on the next week, I'd be really pleased. Isn't that terrible?

But I suppose it's a combination of nerves, my obsessive-compulsive disorder taking over and just a slight hint of the perfectionist coming out. People tell me it's a good thing, and it keeps me sharp, and so perhaps I should just believe them and accept that this affliction is something not to be shaken.

Onto the gig - it was great! Lots of fun, from my perspective and, of course, a few unexpected occurrences too. One expected difference to the usual Bull's Head lineup was Jules Jackson on bass. For the first time since February, Jeff Clyne was double-booked, and I had to find a new bassist. Happily, he was wonderful, and worked so well with the rest of the trio made up of Malcolm on piano and Harold on drums. Strangely, whenever I turned around, Harold was making some really odd faces. I tried not to become paranoid...

Musically it was a lot of fun - we changed the arrangement of Night and Day to a much faster latin tempo, and included the verse as an introduction. Get Happy also made its way into the set - the arrangement needs a bit of tweaking, but it was good for a first attempt!

Audience numbers were up from July (although if they'd gone down, I would have definitely gone home) to 36 people! I'm hoping that, with everyone back at work/school, September 17th's gig will be a sell-out. Remember, doors open at 8pm. Before that, though, I'm going to be performing at the Cheltenham Film Studios on Thursday 3rd September. If this is local to you, come down for what promises to be a great night, with the wonderful Alex Steele on piano.

Looking ahead, October is getting pretty busy with two dates at Pizza Express (see the dates page for more info and how to book) - one in Maidstone and one in Soho (Woohoo!), and some concerts around Maidenhead for the Montgomery Holloway Music Trust.

Don't forget to sign up to the mailing list, if you've not already done so, and hope to see you at a gig fairly soon!

Becki

Gig in Henley with the Laurie Holloway Trio

Dear All,

I'm still on a high after last night's gig with Laurie Holloway and Kenny Lynch in Henley. It was great! Sadly I can't remember the name of the charity we were supporting, but the organisers were really pleased with how the night went, and I think we raised loads of money, so all's well that ends well.

I sang three tunes in the first half; Sweet Gingerbread Man, My One & Only Love and Black Coffee. The set started badly - I was wearing a floor-length dress which, when I went to put my saxophone on the floor, became caught under my sax stand where it remained for the rest of the song. A few eagle-eyed people in the front row spotted this obviously hilarious gaffe and had fun pointing and laughing...

But after a bad start, the music was really well received!In the second half, I sang Accentuate the Positive (which everyone in the audience seemed to know the words for!), The Nearness of You with Dave Olney on Bass, and Love For Sale, one of Laurie's favourites.

So, the night was a success. It was great to work with Laurie, Kenny, Dave and Harold again, and great to see some old friends there. If you're free next Thursday (21st May) make sure you pop down to the Bull's Head, where Harold Fisher and I will be appearing alongside Malcolm Edmonstone and Jeff Clyne. Doors open at 8pm.

Bex