QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“A gut-string classical Spanish guitar, a sweet, lovely little lady. The smell of it. Even now, to open a guitar case, when it's an old wooden guitar, I could crawl in and close the lid.”
Keith Richards
Good old humble Keef. And there was us thinking it was 5-star luxury hotels all the way. As it happens, here in Hoxton we know of an empty guitar case going for a song, so to speak. A mere five grand a month to you Mr Richards, plus bills of course.
As we plebs enter the new year feeling fat, broke, cold, old, or sprightly, energised and full of resolutions, there is brightness on the horizon, as the ‘Who’s In Today’ board begins to fill up and some of our fave regulars start popping their heads into the office, telling us about their latest musical adventures.
PREMISES PEOPLE...
The multi-talented and much in demand Nicky Brown, whose booming laugh and general bonhomie is nothing if not infectious, has been jet setting round the world recently as musical director for Emeli Sande. The year ended with a grand concert for a children’s charity in The Vatican, the Concerto di Natale, with Mr. Brown in all his suited and booted finery not only providing ‘beautiful arrangements’ for Emeli but also getting to chat to Pope Francis himself, giving him the lowdown on Hackney, with fist bumps all round. OK, we made that bit up. But he did, really truly shake his hand. Lucky Pope! Nicky’s plans this year are, “To make more amazing music.” Well done that man.
Educator, musician, children’s advocate, and ideas genius Cath March was in with a very happy group of children from the Hugh Myddleton primary school in Hackney, to deliver a workshop “The Right To play”-addressing barriers to play, complete with her entourage of puppets, including Mrs. Trees, Sly Bear and Curly Locks. The nearly life size puppets squatted in the office for a couple of days, alarming all nocturnal visitors. Cath, through the charity she founded Invisible Needs, does stellar work with children with special needs, working with puppetry and music. The children did a John Coltrane song with the brilliant Cleveland Watkiss, had a go playing Kate Shortt’s cello, and then sang along with Mrs. Trees (I’m very old indeed, I’ve got pains in my knees and I keep falling asleep”). It was a joy to witness a stream of elated children filing out the door after the workshop, and there is much more of that to come in 2025. Cath says, “Playing-sports, music, games requires rules and shared understanding of limits and respects for others’ space - society doesn’t model this well.”
The children will be back in April to record the three songs they co-wrote.
And finally, what better way to welcome in the new working year than with a visit from the effervescent multi-instrumentalist and composer Roella Oloro, back from her new home of New York to rehearse for a gig at The Vortex. Roella, sporting an elaborate jumper and scarf combo she knitted herself, and a 500-page German language paperback, is now gigging regularly across the USA and hopes to make it back to our shores many times a year to share her vibrant and at times, just plain wild take on jazz. She says, “The Premises always feels like home to me.” She’s recently composed and played a piece called “Ignite the Fire Within” which addresses the legacy and need to keep momentum following the world-wide protests over the murder of George Floyd. The Roella Oloro Trio got rave reviews for their Vortex gig, one citing comparisons to Geri Allen, Errol Garner and Oscar Peterson: “Here is the future of the music and its storytelling: lucid, compelling and created with such irresistible talent.” Give that woman a record deal, someone!
YOLANDA CHARLES’ WORKSHOPS
We’re delighted to welcome back Yolanda Charles MBE, internationally renowned bassist and songwriter, to run workshops over two days on the 20th and 21st of March.
Her insights into all aspects of playing bass, as well as insider industry tips, have been invaluable not only to bass players in previous courses here but drummers as well. The first day is a session for electric bass players, which will offer a diagnostic approach to posture and finger positioning; exercises to improve fingerboard and plucking technique; riffing and phrasing; harmony basics; harmonic choices; rhythms and timing, and bassline construction via melodic structures. The day runs from 10-4 with an hour’s lunch break, and there will be plenty of opportunity to practice. All this for £95!
Now you can stop there, or join Yolanda again the next day with her. Instra-mentals rhythm section clinic. This will be a shorter, intensive afternoon session: 2:30-5:30, and she will be joined by Nick Linnik, guitarist and producer for Project PH and percussionist Jay Kalo.This masterclass will offer insight on how to develop ideas for arrangements to form a cohesive rhythm section and to improve musical communication between band members. Yolanda will offer insights and share her experiences as a session musician, band leader, bassist, record label MD and producer. The trio will perform a series of compositions which will be broken down into the parts played on each instrument. You will also have the opportunity to join the group for some of the exercises. This session is suitable for bass players, drummers, and guitarists who want to learn more about locking in with the rhythm section. The clinic is £50 but we will have some £40 slots for those who book for both sessions. For more info: michele@premiseseducation.org
FEBRUARY HALF TERM VOICE JAM
Clive Brown is back once more with his popular Voice Jam project, a free, four-day choir primarily for Hackney and Tower Hamlets Secondary school students who love singing, although we DO take students from other boroughs if space allows. It’s a fun, educational choral singing jam, with the young people putting their own spin on modern rock, pop or soul classics, though we took a popular sojourn into gospel in October. No previous experience required, but a love of singing and a desire to record in a professional recording studio would help. We choose one song and the choir chooses the other. Clive’s unique approach means that each singer sings all parts, blended together in a mix that sounds big and majestic. The days start at a teen-friendly 2:30 and run til 6:30, from the 17th-19th of February, and from 11-4:30 on recording day, which includes an after party with food and drink and an opportunity for all singers to freestyle on the mics. Email for more information: michele@premiseseducation.org or sign up here.
WE’RE CLOSE FRIENDS WITH THESE GUYS SO DON’T MESS...
If you booked a studio session here one Saturday in 2017 you might have arrived to find the Premises surrounded by 4000 Hells Angels. No, it’s not a war zone, just our biker neighbours gathering for one of their grand send-offs for a fallen comrade (in this case, the elusive Dodgy Dave).
Photo by Chris Dorley Brown. From his new book of stunning portraits 'A History of the East End' published by Nouveau Palais.
LATE NEWS...
Nikki Yeoh’s Piano Refresher Course (31st Jan, 1st and 2nd Feb) is now Sold Out but if you want to go on the waiting list for cancellations, email now: michele@premiseseducation.org
WHO’S BEEN IN? Amongst other luminaries, last month we welcomed:
Bedlam, Vula, Club 106, Kamal, Esme Cusk, Bardo, Lust Ritual, Goldfrapp, Vibes Village, Kingdom Choir, Twisted Noise Troupe, London Voice Academy, Moonshine Heavies, Sandy Crow, Folded Wing, The White Orchids, Alfie Whitbread, Art Terry, Co-Labs, Antoinette McClean, CSX Pistols, Jess Gilam Ensemble, Huntsmen, Triggerfish, The Live 45s, Irene Taylor Trust, Guildhall, Julian Chambers, Singing Bowie, Nieve Ella, Orphy Robinson, Stella Regan, Johnny Hates Jazz, Patchwork, Yazmin Lacey, Iraina Mancini, Malibu Hot Flush, Springfield Quartet, Patrick Wolf, Fran Lobo, Eddie’s House, Timba Britanica, Fossils, S Club, London Gospel Factory Choir, and many others.
AND FINALLY...
