Pat Sprakes, guitar; Ian Beestin/Clive Loveday/Mitch Oldham/John Watterson, percussion/drums; Geoff Pearson/Rich Keates, bass
Influences
Norma Winstone, Karen Carpenter, Blossom Dearie, Maria Pia de Vito, Dusty Springfield, Julie Andrews, Anita O'Day, Jim Morrison and Barbra Streisand also early hallucinogenic Pink Floyd and Kate Bush apparently.
Also like: Norma, EST, Acoustic Triangle, Azimuth, Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor, Tord Gustavsen Trio, 4 in Perspective (Norma, Kenny, Paul Clarvis and Fred Hersch), Ralph Towner and John Surman.
Sounds Like
"Drawing from a voluminous stylistic well, with influences ranging from folk, pop and classical music as well as jazz, the music could perhaps best be described as an unlikely mash-up of contemporary British influences; the hallucinatory lyrical content of early Pink Floyd meets the trenchant individuality of Kate Bush, filtered through the musical sensibilities of Norma Winstone. It’s deeply quirky and, at times, wonderful." Review of Astronomer's Guest in Jazzwise, Dec '06
SBQ has been going for about 10 years now and have played all over the place.
Two tracks from Willow's Song featured on Best of Jazz, November 2002 on Radio 2 and Jazz Record Requests, January 2004 on Radio 3.
The band's 2001 CD, "Willow's Song", is a mix of standards, contemporary jazz pieces, bossa and the title track, "Willow's Song", featured in the 1973 English cult film "The Wicker Man".
"The Astronomer's Guest" appeared in September 2006, comprising all original pieces. Now doing more Latin-y things and a mix of contemporary jazz pieces and standards.
The CDs are available at: www.jazzcds.co.uk.
If you want to see some paintings, visit: www.chrisbennettartist.co.uk
PS That really is a lovely and innovative version of 'Inutil Paisagem', by the way. It never would have occurred to me to use that kind of insistent jazz-samba style on the guitar, but it works brilliantly. Hats off to you!
Hi Sarah! Thanks for that: it was very nice of you to reply. Not surprisingly, I'm extremely keen on your music, and I hope we can have a chat at the mjf (maybe after your set?). See you then, I hope. All the best, Simon
Thanks for adding Rambles.NET to your friends' list!
Hey, if you would like your music to be considered for a feature on our site, be sure to send a couple of review CDs our way. (You can find the mailing address on our page.) We love to share new music with our readers!
What up? I found this website and thought i'd tell everyone, it shows you if anyone at school likes you... I dont know how it works but its really cool, its revealed a few people who have had crushed on me FOREVER, i called the person up and it was TRUE!! You gotta try it!
Thought of you in Mme de Sévigné's Cattle where I played for 3 days. I met Tord and his trio and we jammed at the end of the night. Nice!!! Cheers, Pascal
Hi Sarah, might even throw a shaker or 2 in if you're lucky! Lookin forward to it..What you think to the band? Bit of an acquired taste eh?!! Hope you have a good week! Cheers..J
Thanks for accepting the friend request and a BIG thank you for all your support since our opening! Everyone involved thought you and the band played an amazing gig last month. We'd definitely like you to come back soon please!!
Thanks for adding me, Sarah. I love your music and voice. I produce an internet radio show on the music industry on www.adviceradio.com and we accept submissions for live on-air reviews. We'd love to have your material. I'm told our show is being listened to by more industry execs every week! Anyway, I'm really glad to be your friend.
P.S.:
"THE MUSIC SHOPPE" "THE MUSIC SHOPPE"
Tune into "The Music Shoppe" with author Joanne Ledesma ("Prepare Your Music") on www.adviceradio.com!
Every Thursday from 2 - 3 P.M. PST Co-produced by Max Vasquez (Maxx Vaxx Music)"The Music Shoppe" is YOUR opportunity to gain vital Music Industry info YOU need to know right from the experts!
Listen every Thursday from 2-3 P.M. P.S.T. on adviceradio.com In this groundbreaking show, Miss Ledesma will discuss all aspects of the business, including Marketing, Performance, Management, Gear, & Legal with industry experts, and an occasional word of support or two from Max Vasquez. Plus more upcoming surprises and contests! Get in the know!!
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Thanks again, Sarah, you rock! Cheers!
Max (please feel free to subscribe to my blog for more valuable music industry info)
Hi Sarah, Sorry I haven't been in touch for ages! Yes it's great news about Norma, and no I didn't know about that at all! Are you coming to sing in London sometime soon? I still need to hear you! Tour was great, amazing experience, can't wait to do it again! Speak soon, B x
I'm fine thanks Sarah! As soon as I saw Norma was on the list I immediately thought of you as I'd spotted her at your London gig. Seems that the 'establishment' has suddenly noticed jazz so you never know ... one day...
Hey Sarah!
Comment va?
Un petit moment qu'on ne s'est vu!
J'espère que tout va bien pour toi et le groupe.
Quand vous voit-on en France? Par chez nous, pourquoi pas?
Amitiés,
Pascal
Hi Sarah, unfortunatel I won't be able to make it to Sheffield next wednesday for the gig due to teaching commitments but I'm still well up for the part still. Been eyeing up a few books in music shops and i think i should be able to cope with the style! I'll try and get to Southport in June tho!
Many thanks for the kind words! Always good to find someone doing something a bit different, and as Miles's trumpet teacher told him about vibrato: you'll shake enough when you get old without doing it now :-)
Hi Sarah ....and Chris.
Looking forward to seeing you at our Buxton gig. How nice of you to mention us in your list of 'influences'!
Hope all is good for you.
Best, Malcolm.
it was lovely to finally meet you! Thank you so much for turning out on such a foul night to see us play, and thank you for your kind comments and support. New improved website with photos coming up soon....
Hi Sarah,
Luckily we were walking down the street when the water hit us, oh well! Hope your gig went well in London, sorry I couldn't make it. Look forward to seeing you at Derby
Best wishes,
Phil
