I’m really excited to be running beginner ukulele and guitar courses at Wensum Lodge for the first time starting April 25th. They are part of a programme of new and exciting creative, language and wellbeing courses which include Stained Glass; Botanical Art and Architectural Drawing; Latin; Philosophy; Textiles upcycling and alterations; Yoga; Polish language; Photography and Creative Writing. Here are some nice new flyers from Adult Learning for the courses and there are also taster sessions happening next week. To find out more details and to book, please visit here
How joyous is this photo! The community singing sessions I have been running at Earlham Library and The Millennium Library in Norwich have been lots of fun to do and so rewarding too. To hear comments from people saying that I’ve made their day and really cheered them up means such a lot. I’ve also had some great song requests and it’s been lovely to see people coming back each week to sing classic songs together. Thanks so much to everyone who has come along to a session and all the kind words. There are video clips of some of the singalongs at The Millennium Library’s Facebook Page
I’m also looking forward to playing some gigs and festivals soon. Check out the shows page where I will be posting details of live shows.
I’ve been wanting to do something positive and inspiring for awhile that reflects my passion for music and singing and could really make a difference to those who are struggling with their mental health or loneliness at the moment. I’m really excited to be running some free, fun and informal community singing sessions at the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library starting Tuesday 22nd February 2.30pm – 3.30pm – also at Earlham Library at 11.00am – 12pm on the same day – and then every Tuesday for 6 weeks.
Try these new singing sessions to boost your wellbeing where we’ll be singing a selection of classic, well known songs to uplift, connect and make you smile. No previous experience is required and there is no need to read music. All are welcome – feel to come along and drop in on the day. Here’s a piece I’ve written about the sessions for my friends at All Things Norfolk on why singing and music is so important to me.
Come and join me to have fun, connect with others and improve our wellbeing through a shared singing experience!
I’m also really excited to be running two 10 week beginner courses in guitar and ukulele at Wensum Lodge in Norwich starting in the summer term for Norfolk County Council. I can’t wait to share my passion for teaching both instruments and to help you learn the basic skills to get you started with playing chords and strumming. More information about the guitar course is here
It has been really fun, and a new creative challenge, to try some acting and work as a supporting artist recently on a variety of drama and documentary programmes. It’s really exciting finally seeing some of the TV projects that I’ve worked on finally hitting the screen. Now on britbox, “Magpie Murders” which was filmed in beautiful Suffolk and where I played a nurse:
Also on Netflix is “Catching Killers” – being a cop!
Now showing on American subscription streaming service Acorn TV is the brand new series of Emmy Award-nominated mystery drama “Queens of Mystery”. It was a lot of fun to appear in episode “The Modern Art of Murder” Pictured here on set in London with brilliant actresses Julie Graham, Siobhan Redmond and Florence Hall.
I’ve been going through some live performances from the past few months when it was great to play again to audiences. Thanks to Rodney Kidd for filming original song “Let Go” live from The Canopy Theatre, Hungate Church, Beccles, Suffolk for Martello Promotions~ a lovely headline show in September 2021. Jason French on fiddle.
Performing original song “Carolina Rain” from a lovely Women in Music Day at The Brickmakers Norwich. Jason French on fiddle. Thanks to Liz for filming.
A live solo performance this time. Always really nice to perform at Deepdale Festival in beautiful Burnham Deepdale, North Norfolk. Thanks to Karl for getting some footage of the show on iPhone.
Another performance from Canopy Theatre, Suffolk: “Here Alone” with Jason French on fiddle. More live performances on my YouTube channel.
Ahead of some live concerts, I’m excited to share this never seen before live session for Whispering Bob Harris #UnderTheAppleTree which has been uploaded to my YouTube channel. Performing ‘Anything But Easy’ awhile back. The brilliant musician and dear friend Alan Cook on dobro. Thanks to Bob & all at #UTAT for the lovely memory & their support of #indieartists Thanks for watching.
My first headline show in a long, long time is next month. Performing in Beccles, Suffolk for Martello Promotions who promote the finest acoustic music in the North Suffolk area. Tickets are available online here It would be lovely if you can join me for what will be a very special night. I’m also booking other gigs – all details will be on the show page.
I’ve been continuing to record and perform live acoustic covers for Rob Butler’s show on BBC Radio Norfolk. Some of them have been uploaded to my SoundCloud page and here’s a live video of me playing Bruce Springsteen’s anthem ‘Dancing in the Dark’
My various creative activities have included doing some more writing for Songwriting Magazine. My my recent feature is a review of Gary Barlow’s songwriting course for BBC Maestro. Check out the review here
I’ve also been doing some acting! It’s been really fun to be part of the cast for various shows including a history and music documentary series. Will be sure to reveal more details when they are broadcast. More photos on my Instagram
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As you may have read, PledgeMusic has been dealing with financial issues that have resulted in late payment to artists whose fans have pledged money via the direct-to-fan and crowdfunding platform. I am very disappointed to report I have had no direct response regarding my project. It now means that the release of my upcoming EP “Edge of Love” is being disrupted and delayed. An initial statement from the company was issued last month as an increasing number of artists went public about the late payment issues and the impact they are having on them. Up until now my first experience using PledgeMusic has been very positive. Thanks to my fans, I have had huge amounts of interest in the EP and was thrilled to have exceeded my target. As part of the campaign I offered special rewards such as signed guitars, CDs, handwritten lyrics and gig posters, as well as unique experiences such as voice and guitar lessons and VIP tickets to the EP launch. Unfortunately I haven’t yet received any payment or concrete information from Pledge and I am not alone. Many artists and managers with current Pledge campaigns are eager for news as soon as possible, so that they can decide whether or not to call off those campaigns and find an alternative way to take pre-orders and allow fan-funding. As an independent artist I am relying on these payments so I can fulfil all fan purchases – this has been out of my hands.
Here is the most recent statement from them: https://www.pledgemusic.com/blog/a-statement-from-pledgemusic?referrer=carousel_article_
There has been uproar from musicians who have been united in finding it unacceptable that PledgeMusic has failed to pass on the funds raised by fans to the artist. Lots of major artists have also been affected, including Jesus Jones and Fastball. The Cardigans, The Dandy Warhols, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Ladytron have also been running campaigns. The company is now looking for a strategic partner or buyer which could safeguard the future of the Pledge business, while also assuring that all artists currently owed money would get paid in full. I truly hope Pledge will meet its obligations. I will keep you updated as much as I can. Thank you so much for all your support and patience. It really does mean a lot.
February 6 – Following on from this, today I received a general message from Pledge reiterating what they have stated on their website:
Thank you getting in touch, and please accept my sincere apologies for the continued inconvenience.
As I’m sure you can appreciate we are experiencing a high volume of enquiries at the moment. We appreciate the frustration you must feel and sincerely apologise for any delay in responding to you.
Our team is working round the clock to get this situation resolved and we hope to have some positive news for you in the near future.
To update you on some of the progress being made: ● We are in discussions with several interested parties about a potential partnership with or acquisition of PledgeMusic. These conversations, if successful, would lead to a transaction which would allow us to meet all of our outstanding obligations. ● We are also in the process of appointing a third-party company to manage all artist payments going forward.
We do ask you for your continued patience even though we appreciate that this must be running extremely thin.
Once again, we do hope to have some positive news for you shortly and as soon as we do we will share it.
For the moment though, please accept our assurances that we are fully focused on resolving these issues and that your enquiry has been logged.
Very excited to share my brand new music video! for my song ‘Be Around’. Huge thanks to Claudia Taveira Photography
I’ve also just recorded a live acoustic cover of this beautiful Kate Bush song. One of my favourite songs of hers. Can’t wait for her Before The Dawn Tour!
Thanks so much to Ramsey Sounds for 2 cool electro remixes of my summer song ‘Summer on the L’ and acoustic track ‘So Many Words’
Hope you all had a lovely Christmas! Here’s an Xmas treat for you if you’re still feeling festive, performing my Christmas single & a cover of Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’ on the Reverb Christmas Special at UEA TV. Am on from 1:14 here!
Free Download!
Looking ahead to new year’s and here’s a free download of my song ‘New Year’s Day’
Really excited to share my new original Christmas single ‘St Benedict’s Christmas Fair’ which I recorded and mixed myself. It’s a bittersweet acoustic ballad about saying goodbye.
Brand new video! Singing one of my favourite songs on ukulele. Thanks to the brilliant Claudia Taveira Photography for filming:
Photo from on the way to film the video with my lovely Luna ukulele
Plus here’s my latest column for Songwriting Magazine, tips on face-to-face networking for aspiring songwriters. My experience of going to the recent Americana Music UK conference made me think about how nerve wracking it can be for artists to network so here’s some tips which I hope help. Link here
Great night Saturday supporting the wonderful Eve Selis at The Little Rabbit Barn in Essex. It was such a thrill to sing with her & her amazing band too! Huge thanks to them and all involved with the show.
Making the most of a sunny day! Cool new photo shoot and video. Playing my Baby Taylor and Luna Ukulele in the sunshine! Thanks to Claudia Taveira Photography and also the wonderful Taylor Guitars and Luna Guitars for sharing the video.