A very pleasant late afternoon and evening in town with Mark, which began at The Rooftop, St James’s, just off Trafalgar Square. Understandably for January, enjoying the superb view from the outdoor tables was somewhat tempered by the very cool temperature.
Tag: News
Campaign videos
I have recorded eight videos during December and these focus on a range of issues currently facing professional musicians, principally those working in the live arena, in education, the orchestral sector, recording and broadcasting, theatre and touring.
Adam of London
I drove into town this evening to collect my suit order from Adam of London in Berwick Street, Soho. Upon arrival at the superb stocked outfitters, I met Steve Tannett, Music Director and Head of Marshall Records.
PR coverage
Our highly-respected PR agency, Kindred, has delivered the latest report on the media coverage of the MU’s activities once more. This time for the months of November and December 2021.
Standing for election
I am delighted to confirm that I am standing as a candidate in the forthcoming MU General Secretary election. I welcome the support of all MU members and anyone wishing to learn more of my plans is encouraged to contact me.
One more time
I joined an entertaining online meeting this evening, hosted by documentary film maker Alan Boyd, in which legends of the session music world gathered to watch the scenes recorded to date for One More Time.
Industry reception
I joined MU colleagues, staff from the Ivors Academy and supporters of the Broken Record campaign in the Members’ Dining Room at the House of Commons this evening.
Theatre visit
A visit to the West End proved very productive, with time spent at the jazz club in the basement of Pizza Express, Dean Street; at the Phoenix Theatre in Charing Cross Road; the extremely helpful team at NOTOM in Denmark Street; and at St Pancras.
Fix Streaming
The latest excellent edition of Music Week contains the full page advertisement I arranged on behalf of the MU, on the inside back cover, calling for the industry to join us and ‘Fix Streaming.’
UK Americana
An absolute pleasure to attend the press launch for the UK Americana Awards event last night at Omega in London Bridge. A superb evening, marvellously hosted by Stevie Smith and her team.
Ace mastering
A final day at Rimshot Studios in Kent, making those key touches to my Waterloo Sunrise album with engineer and consummate host, Mike Thorne, and producer Greg Fitzgerald.
Instagram gallery
I have begun an online gallery of pictures taken by Jonathan Stewart for the Waterloo Sunrise album project. This picture was taken in the Leake Street tunnel and features the stunning artwork of Olivierr. These can be seen on Instagram and via the hashtag #WaterlooSunriseAlbum.
Media coverage
Today saw the arrival of the second Kindred PR report for the MU, this time for the month of October. Items in The Guardian, i newspaper and the NME are featured, alongside links to Music Week, Billboard, Business Matters, The Meteor, MixMag and Sonic State.
West End session
I travelled into town this afternoon to meet up with photographer Joanna Dudderidge and Chair of the MU Executive Committee, trumpeter Dave Lee in Soho.
Album artwork
Visited Steve at Printstore this evening to work on the cover artwork for Waterloo Sunrise.
MU and the CMA
The Musicians’ Union, The Ivors Academy and Tom Gray, founder of the #BrokenRecord Campaign, have welcomed the decision by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to carry out a market study into music streaming.
Gabucci, Bath
Those who know me well, will be aware of my appreciation of a classic men’s outfitters. Especially those sporting the winning combination of a quality range and attention-to-detail service.
Angel, Islington
At the centre of this picture is a traditional phone box, which is a marker of an important moment in my teenage life. It was here that I made a call to a property agent in March 1978 and arranged to visit a flat that had been advertised in the Evening Standard.
MU Regional network
Tribute to the excellent teams in the MU offices.
PR Report
In partnership with Kindred PR agency, the MU consistently secures considerable media coverage for our campaigns and press statements. Kindred now kindly produce a monthly report on our PR activities and I distributed the first of these to senior Officials and colleagues this week.
Splitter vans
The MU is delighted by the Government announcement that ‘splitter vans’ can be used by British musicians touring Europe. The MU has been lobbying to ensure musicians can continue to tour Europe post-Brexit using this type of vehicle.
The Musician (9/21)
The autumn 2021 issue of the Union’s award-winning magazine, The Musician, is scheduled to be dispatched in digital format by email to members this week, featuring interviews with Rosie Frater-Taylor and Robin ‘Scanner’ Rimbaud.
Musicians shielding
Joint research by the Musicians’ Union and The Ivors Academy has revealed that 70% of musicians, songwriters and composers who are still shielding are facing financial hardship because of their continued need to shield.
Back in town
Another visit to MU HQ was on the cards today, as I organised the existing MU merchandise stock in advance of our industry, political and retail activities this month.
Safe Space
New reports reveal sexual harassment and abuse remain rife in the music industry despite the #metoo movement.
Memorable victory
An excellent 40 over win for Beckenham 6th XI versus Old Dartfordians at Hayes CC in west Kent this afternoon.
Abbey Road tour
A particularly memorable day at Abbey Road.
Return to Rimshot
A second visit to Mike Thorne’s wonderful Rimshot Studios in Sittingbourne, Kent, today where mastering ace Mike, producer Greg Fitzgerald and I continued work on my new album, Waterloo Sunrise.
EU announcement
The MU today gave a cautious welcome to the announcement made yesterday by the Government with regards to musicians touring in EU member states.
Proms programme
I now book a full page advertisement promoting the MU Supporter initiative in both the BBC Proms Guide and the Proms Programme. Music lifts our spirits, our communities, and the economy. If you are a music lover and care about the future of music, join the MU Supporters.
Side A sign-off
A very enjoyable day with producer Greg Fitzgerald and mastering engineer Mike Thorne at the Rimshot Studios in Sittingbourne, Kent. We collectively completed the first side of my album, set for vinyl release, with Mike’s expertise superbly bringing out the nuances of Greg’s production.
Parliamentary jazz
Norma Winstone MBE, Claire Martin, Georgia Mancio, Jas Kayser and Nubya Garcia were among the recipients of the event, streamed online from Pizza Express, in London’s Dean Street.
Top gear track
A special treat for Ben this afternoon as we had arranged for him to drive around the junior section of the Top Gear track with the Car Chase Heroes company. His chosen vehicle was a Chevrolet Camaro Bumblebee. ‘Great drive’ said his instructor!
DCMS Report
The MU, The Ivors Academy and #BrokenRecord Campaign have today welcomed the ‘revolutionary’ DCMS Select Committee report into the ‘Economics of music streaming.’
Theme recording
A relaxed session with Greg at the studio today, as we compiled the closing title theme for the album, Waterloo Sunrise. This involved selecting parts from both the completed tracks and from the solos delivered by our marvellous team of session players.
Waterloo market
Photographer Jonathan Stewart and I toured Waterloo once more this afternoon, this time capturing the final locations and shots we had identified during our previous site-finding visits.
