Category Archives: News

Chasing the Trane

Chasing the Trane is a new documentary film by critically-acclaimed documentary filmmaker John Scheinfeld.

The film is produced with the full participation of the Coltrane family and the support of the record labels that collectively own the Coltrane catalog. Scheinfeld brings his strong story-telling skills to the creation of a rich, textured and compelling narrative that takes the audience to unexpected places.

Set against the social, political and cultural landscape of the times, CHASING TRANE brings John Coltrane to life as a fully dimensional being, inviting the audience to engage with Coltrane the man, Coltrane the artist.

Here’s my video review of the film.

Honest Introspection

I frequently mention to students that YOU can be your best teacher if you learn to listen.

In this episode of #DansVlog I show you how I create a Honest Introspection from a gig I did at the Hot Numbers Jazz Cafe in Cambridge.

 

Happy Birthday Sonny Rollins

Thursday, 7th September was the 87th Birthday of living, saxophone legend Sonny Rollins.

Rollins who is sadly no longer performing in public took to Twitter to thank fans from all over the world who wished him a Happy Birthday!

Sonny has been a huge influence on my playing.  His rendition of the popular folk melody ‘St Thomas’ is one of my favourite tracks – I’ve recorded it four times and play it on nearly every gig I play.

There is a wish to rename Williamsburg Bridge, (where Sonny used to go and practice) as the ‘Sonny Rollins’ Bridge – make sure you check out this article… https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/a-quest-to-rename-the-williamsburg-bridge-for-sonny-rollins

Make sure you check out the playlists I’ve created in honour of Sonny’s Birthday, and the Vlog episode below…

Spotify Playlist https://goo.gl/kV4UFX
Apple Music https://goo.gl/VLMALg

Selling My Sax

I’m selling my superb Yanagisawa A991B Black Alto Saxophone.

I’ve owned this sax since new, having purchased it directly from Yanagisawa back in 2013. I played all the Alto parts on my What if Rupert Murdoch Liked Jazz album on this saxophone and it’s a great sax that can play classical, jazz, pop, funk – ANYTHING.

I’ll be sorry to see it go, it’s on sale for £1800 + shipping and it will be on eBay if it is not sold by 26th August 2017.

My Summer Playlists

I realise that getting your practice in during the summer can be tough, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do some useful music related activities if you’re at the beach right now!

I’ve put together some playlists on Apple Music & Spotify to share with you over the holidays. One of them is a playlist of all the transcription projects that you can find on the Cambridge Saxophone website, the other is a mammoth Blue Note playlist with over 3 days worth of albums!

If you have other playlists then this app (Songshift) can help you transfer playlists between different streaming services!

Apple Music Playlists
(click on the link to open in iTunes, you can get 3 months free)

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/playlist/cambridge-saxophone-transcription-projects/idpl.u-7Dm0yFW4o2Ng

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/playlist/blue-note/idpl.84a62de323464fc3a8ee59a7f66f669e

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/playlist/best-of-prestige-records/idpl.9b77a66e2ffe4d2686e7f85d6f2bf56b

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/playlist/coltrane-standards-book/idpl.u-mPD8tzGveBo

Spotify (you can listen to Spotify for free, but with adverts)

I hope you will enjoy these playlists! Music streaming is an incredible resource for any music student and I urge you to take advantage of these whilst you’re away.

Inspired – My Mentor Branford Marsalis

I was thrilled to be present for Branford Marsalis’ gig with Kurt Elling at the Barbican on Sunday, 16th July – I even got a complimentary ticket!

I first met Branford after a gig he did at the RNCM in Manchester back in 2003.  He gave me his email, and quite frankly changed my life.  I spent time in New York and returned back to Fleetwood realising that I had to move to London so that I could continue my musical education.

The best concerts for me are inspiring – they make me want to breathe out creativity of my own.  This concert was certainly one of those occasions, enjoy the Vlog!