The first part of 2015 has been a blast!

I had an incredible time at the Calvert Trust centre next to Exmoor, assisting on creative music workshops for adults with a range of disabilities, coordinated by an amazing charity, Share Music Southwest. It’s hands down one of the best things I’ve ever been involved in.

I’ve loved working with Merton children on creative responses to Stravinsky’s ‘The Soldier’s Tale’ – you can see some of that work here. It was a pleasure to work as a BeCreative Music workshop leader alongside Olivia Carruthers from the excellent Teach-It-Thru-Drama team – the childrens’ dramatic and musical ideas were quite something for minds so young!

I was also really lucky to join the excellent Laura Jurd for two gigs as part of her Human Spirit tour, launching her second album of the same name. As always, she’s written some deeply soulful, passionate, lyrical, beautiful music. Check out this review from our gig in Brighton – I’m down as the usual (and brilliant) trombonist, Colm O’Hara, who I was depping for that night.

I also had a wonderful experience headlining an exciting triple-bill of UK bands at Ronnie Scott’s on the 10th of February, with WorldService Project. Again, another lovely review from Jazzwise which I think reflects one of the best gigs we’ve ever done – a new album is on the cards, and we played a few new tunes that will probably feature on that. Obligatory bowler hat worn by me (below):

Finally, I have the debut gig of two new ensembles I’ve put together coming up on Tuesday 24th of February. First, the RCPlus Trio featuring Joshua Idehen of the up-and-coming Benin City. Freely improvised grooves from myself on trombone and electronics, Corrie Dick on drums and Phil Merriman on keys, with Josh freestyling and doing his thing. I can’t wait…

And secondly, The Dissolute Society, a project that features my own words and music that reflect on my life experiences, including family, grief, friendship and hope. It’s a mixture of contemporary improv, jazz, contemporary classical, spoken word and groove, and I’m so glad to finally get it out there! I’ll be joined on this gig (contrary to the Vortex listing) by Fini Bearman on vocals, Laura Jurd on trumpet, Naomi Burrell on violin, Gustav Clarkson on viola, Francesca Ter-Berg on cello, Phil Merriman on keys, and Simon Roth on drums. You can discover more details and book tickets here. Pictures and music from that gig will follow – of course, would be wonderful to see you there!