Chronicle: 6-13 Jan 2020

In the last week, I’ve been…

• Planning teaching and directing activities for the term for East London Community Band (ELCB) and Hockerill Anglo-European College (HAEC).

• Using Logic Pro X and various VST instruments to compose a new piece.

• Re-arranging my big band tune Chump Change for ELCB, to be performed at the National Concert Band Festival in Manchester in April.

• Transcribing Hold Tight, I Want Some Seafood Mama for the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

• Arranging Alright, Okay, You Win for the HAEC Jazz Ensemble.

• Arranging and making a practice track for Baby Face for ELCB Stompers.

• Practicing a few hot jazz tunes and putting a few clips up on my Instagram.

• Making kitchen shelves out of reclaimed timber.

• Cooking recipes from the Dishoom Cookbook.

I’ve been listening to…

• Music: Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone, Sonny Rollins, Little Richard, Louis Prima, Brahms Symphonies 1 & 2, Chris Thile, Fats Waller

• Podcasts: This American Life; Radiolab; Philosophize This; NPR Politics Podcast; Impeachment, A Daily Podcast

I’ve been reading:

• Baudolino, by Umberto Eco (just finished it last night)

• The Rough Guide to the Northern 500

• Dishoom Cookbook

Surprise discovery of the week:

• Louis Prima Beep Beep