Mambo Jambo

Pete and Frankie are Mambo Jambo and they provided great entertainment as part of the Live Friday programme. They played a range of Latin music from Cuba and Brazil as well as from the Southern USA and even nearer to home. So the style ranged from Samba, Bossa Nova, Bluegrass with singing in Spanish (and maybe even Portugese?). Pete played a range of string instruments including guitar, banjo and ukele. He also ‘played’ a suitcase which he admitted was better for carrying things than it was as a drum! Frankie was great on the saxophone – and also on the flute and a range of percussion instruments (my favourite was a plastic corn on the cob!). They had the audience clapping along, occasionally sing – and in one case dancing – to a range of familiar and new music.

Only one more Live Friday of the season: the Joni Mitchell Project on May 23rd – see you there!

London Mozart Players Chamber Ensemble

Well our first classical concert and someone commented that Sir John was smiling! The acoustics of the hall – which make speaking hard work – certainly seemed to favour this type of music. Centre Stage are supporting this tour of the London Mozart Players Chamber Ensemble which features principal members of the London Mozart Players, the UK’s first chamber orchestra. They featured Maya Magub on violin, Tom Dunn on viola and Sarah Butcher, wonderfully expressive, on the cello. In the first half they played a Beethoven trio and, probably less familiar to most a trio for strings by Lennox Berkeley. The second half (following refreshments in the cellar!) they performed Mozart’s Divertimento K563. Sarah explained that while this term often signifies background music to be played in a social function this piece was definitely to be listened to.

It was great to see so many new people at this concert. We hope to see you again soon!

The Hut People

A wonderful evening of eclectic folk music as part of the Live Friday programme.  The Hut People – Sam on accordion (and feet!) and Gary on a vast array of percussion instruments.  These included Brazilian stringed gourds through to little wicker parcels with seeds in through to … well it’s all too difficult to explain and I don’t know their proper names …It appeared at first that we were in for a mix of folk from different parts of the world. It soon became clear it was something more inventive. Sam introduced one number as a traditional English morris dancing tune with a Latin rumba beat! As befits the digital age Sam cited itunes as his main inspiration: claiming he trawled through 30 second takes of anything a search for accordion music threw up! But when he demonstrated his mastery of Appalacian tap dancing learnt in a hall in Scunthorpe one suspected the joy of mixing different national styles went deeper. They played 3 sets in the main bar area and their enthusiasm, expertise, and relaxed interaction left everyone wanting more.

Ricardo Tesi & Maurizio Geri

Well from one extreme to the other!  After the childrens’ excitement over Circus Berzercus a sophisticated adult evening.  The hall was organised in ‘caberet style’ with low tables for groups of friends to sit around.  The sound and lighting was great as was the music. Riccardo played accordion and introduced the material and Maurizio played guitar and sang.  The music was a mixture of Tuscan folk music – introduced with stories about local culture and history – and their own contemporary compositions.  You can hear some examples from their website at www.riccardotesi.com 

The singing was in Italian.  This along with Riccardo’s accented introductions swept away any qualms one might have had about enthusiastic engagement with male-centred tales! 

Centre Stage showed its worth yet again in bringing quality acts to the small venue.  The new programme has classical music for the first time in the form of the London Mozart Players (booking up fast) as well as a range of theatre (next one March 14th) aimed at children and adults. 

Folk Night

Many regulars gathered for the last event of the year – the latest in the increasingly popular ‘Live Friday’ series.  The musicians played some traditional folk music – and some seasonal carols – on an interesting series of instruments, many of the made by one of the group.

There were two innovations – first a new sound system ensured that the music could be heard throughout the cellar.  Second Sarah treated us to some delicious snacks including tiny cheese scones and mince pie slices.  Apparently this was a one off to show us what might be available if we booked the cellar with catering for a party!

Overall a great way to start the holidays and say happy Christmas to village friends.

Box & Fiddle: Greg Lawson and Phil Alexander

When Mosihe’s Bagel came to the Sir John Moore last year they went down a storm and showed exuberant musical enthusiasm both in the hall and later at the Black Horse

It was not surprising that the Cellar Bar was packed for the return of half of Moishe’s Bagel on 16 November as one of the Friday Live series. The audience was not to be disappointed as they were treated to a master class in ethnic music from around Europe and beyond.

Greg Lawson and Phil Alexander are the fiddle player and accordionist from Moishe’s Bagel and they played three sets, each one containing tunes from all over the world.
Their musicianship was outstanding – each a master of their instrument and the way the instruments combined was perfect for the Cellar Bar’s intimate atmosphere. It was a privilege to be so close to great acoustic music

Greg and Phil played a number of Balkan tunes and the slow Macedonian dances were my particular highlight of the evening. They also played music from Armenia, Israel and some superb Tango tunes, plus some Scottish folk including two numbers written by Capercaille’s Donald Shaw.

My only gripe was that the venue did not allow for the same experience throughout the whole cellar area. The duo played in the main bar, and the audience in the other rooms was not able to really listen to the music. Consequently, there was an amount of noise coming back into the bar, and also noise from customers at the bar. I think things would work better if the bar area was able to be separate from the main music performing area.

Live Fridays

We’ve had two of these music events in the Cellar now and both have been buzzing. The space lends itself to combining music and socialising. Un Sabor Latino were exceptional (particularly the trumpet player). Adam Forman played a mixture of well known songs that most people could sing along to (and some people did!). Next up is half of Moishe’s Bagel, the band that packed out the main hall a few months ago and carried on until throwing out time at the Black Horse. Phil and Greg are the accordion and fiddle players. It’s likely to be a full house.

So that’s our opinion. We’d like to know yours…