A day of meetings, some online and some in person. Firstly, an MU Comms team meeting this morning on Teams, during which we collectively caught up with each other’s projects. This was swiftly followed by a Zoom meeting with the MU’s senior officials to discuss progress on the move to our new premises.
Tag: News
Naomi Pohl elected
The Musicians’ Union today confirmed that Naomi Pohl has been elected as General Secretary, the most senior role in the organisation, and the first woman to hold the post in the Union’s history since it was founded in 1893.
Supporting Ukraine
I was asked this week by the Secretariat at the MU to create materials that musicians could share to show their support for the people of Ukraine.
End of restrictions
The Musicians’ Union, whilst welcoming in principle the scrapping of restrictions taking effect from today in England, has expressed serious concerns about how the end of free testing may affect its members.
The Forest
Julie and I drove to Hampstead Theatre in Swiss Cottage this evening to mark my birthday weekend by attending the premiere of The Forest, a play by Florian Zeller, and featuring a stellar cast of Gina McKee, Toby Stephens, Paul McGann, Finbar Lynch, Millie Brady, Silas Carson, Angel Coulby, Sakuntala Ramanee and Eddie Toll.
Soho to St James’s
A very enjoyable day in the centre of town today. A relaxed train ride into London Bridge and a brisk walk into Soho from Tottenham Court Road tube, led to the excellent Adam of London in Berwick Street.
The Rooftop
A very pleasant late afternoon and evening in town with Mark, which began at The Rooftop, St James’s, just off Trafalgar Square.
Campaign videos
I recorded seven ‘vlog’ style videos during December, specifically to focus on the range of issues currently facing UK based professional musicians. Especially 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 superbly 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.
The Musician (winter)
The winter 2021 edition of The Musician magazine is being distributed by email in digital format this week to all paid-up MU members who remain subscribed to our DotMailer system.
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
Another highly enjoyable day at Rimshot Studios in Kent, making those key touches to my Waterloo Sunrise album with engineer and consummate host, Mike Thorne, and ace producer Greg Fitzgerald. What a rewarding and enjoyable journey it is proving.
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.
