Up and coming events

Over in Kew on Sunday 30 June Simon Allen will demonstrated his mastery on saxophones of all shapes and sizes from soprano (precooked spaghetti) to baritone ( ready to eat). For a foretaste check out his website www.simonallensaxophone.com. He will be aided and abbetted by pianist Terrence Collie .  Tickets in person from Cafe Yukari or online by clicking here.

The day   after   Monday 24th June back in King’s Cross other members of Bob' Jazz Mob will gather in the King Charles I pub    Bassist Andy Hamill and I will provide accompaniment. Entrance to the session is free. You can also order in food from local Italian, Indian and Thai restaurants. The address is 55-57 Northdown St, N1 9BL

The King Charles I is a a community pub five minutes walk from the transport hub King’s Cross with a very special atmosphere and a joanna with real strings.

At Cafe Yukari you can just drink a tea or coffee or order from the Japanese orientated menu. No alcohol is served but you can bring your own or take your pick from the off-licence conveniently positioned opposite. You can book at the cafe, by emailing bobstuckey@gmail.com or book online by clicking  here for Gunther Kuermayr

And where is this Yukari’s place? Directly opposite the east side exit of Kew Gardens is a unique little Cafe seating around 25 people. The proprietress Yukari loves piano music and has installed a beautiful Fazioli grand piano, Italy's answer to Steinway. Concerts in various styles take place place there. No amplification is allowed but who needs it in such a small place?  

Although he studied classical piano from the age of seven Gunther Kuermayr was strongly influenced by Keith Jarret, bill Evens, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock while studying at the Graz University of Music and Performing Arts. After a spell as jazz piano tutor at the Prayner Konservatorium in Vienna Gunther moved to the US to study at the renowned Berklee College of Music graduating in 1996. The following year he moved to London where he has worked with many of the capitals musicians and singers and has recently accompanied  Selana Jones at Ronnie Scotts. He is regular pianist with the Ray Gelato band who have made several world tours. Berklee College attracts jazz fans from all over the world and it is there that he met  his wife, Chinara Sharshenova -  a brilliant violinist who also  plays the komuz, a stringed instrument from her native Kyrgyzstan. As a duo they often include their own compositions blending in with gems from the jazz repertoire.

Some of you may recognise Lisa Feldman from the Bob’s Jazz Mob team from our regular gig at the Charles I, a stone’s throw from King’s Cross station. The fame of Lisa’s special way with a song has been spreading and she has been invited to feature in a secret afternoon barbeque a stones throw from Buckingham Palace.

For more info on these mouth watering possibilities click here and here

On the Sunday July 19th will be our first vocalese-fest at cafe Yukiari. And what is vocalese? It has two contradictory meanings. In classical music it a song without any words. Catch these beautiful examples by Rachmoninov and Villa-Lobos.

In jazz it means the opposite, where words have been added to iconic recordings of the great improvisers   Click here for a sample.  

Peter Stickland has shared some of his vocalese creations in a new book “Jazz Song”. He will be singing examples along with two others with expertise in vocalese Allan Cinamon and Miyuki.  

  Please send comments, updates and corrections to bobstuckey@gmail.com