So - last week - I was the one doing the interviewing! Was a nice change!
I’m very excited, and can’t say too much right now, but we’re producing a series for YouTube with some very special and talented people! You can expect some chat/banter and of course some music…
I’m gonna keep this post short and sweet as I need to go and practice my interview technique (!) but it’s going to be out some time in the next couple of months, and will be on my YouTube page here: http://www.youtube.com/user/AnthonyStrongMusic?feature=mhee
In other news, I had a fantastic couple of gigs recently with my band. We played Terni Auditorium in Italy and Hannover Jazz Club in Germany. I really love playing European dates, and the crowds are ALWAYS amazing! They really embrace the music with passion. Thanks if you came down, both shows were packed!
As always can see some shots from these two gigs on my Instagram here: http://instagram.com/ajsmusic- here’s a nice crowd shot I took on stage in Terni:
I also had the amazing news that my new album, “Stepping Out” is going to have a vinyl edition! I’m a big fan of vinyl and think my music is really suited to it… If you want to hear the difference between CD and vinyl, check out this highly scientific YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5dCMz4gKLI
It’s nice to listen to real records, but bringing a turntable on a bus is most inconvenient! So the label have also done a high quality mp3 version for ‘Mastering for iTunes’…
2012 was a blast for me and, I hope I’m not jinxing things, but 2013 is looking like it’s going to be an even better year…!
So, as some of you may know, back in December I announced I’d signed a recording contract with Paris based record label Naïve (they put out Adele’s records in France and signed Katie Melua, amongst other great artists - they even scooped the award for ‘Best Label’ at the Gramophone Awards 2012). ANYWAY - recording contracts can take a while to sort and so whilst the I’s were being dotted and such, I actually made a bit of a head start and have been in the studio recording, pretty much every day since last week of November! I’m very happy to tell you, the album is now finished! And it sounds cool! You can expect lots of standards, a few originals, and line-up-wise, everything from solo piano to full band and strings! I’m very excited.
Apart from Christmas, the only other time off I had from recording in December was a short trip to Dubai to play at The Harvey Nichols Afterparty at The Dubai International Film Festival: http://instagram.com/p/TNlVMjORRz/ , a photo shoot for Without Prejudice (they’re the guys that provide my most excellent suits) - and I got to meet Adrian Lester! - and lastly, an overnight stay at The St James in Paris, for the album cover photo shoot (album out Spring 2013!).
So December was very exciting. And I’ve just had a few days off - a little present to myself for finishing the album. We leave for Switzerland tomorrow, I’m kicking off the jazz season up in the mountains in St. Moritz. Love the mountains - hate the scary drive up them tho! I will have my eyes closed.
I shall post / link to any photos of the album cover shoot and the Without Prejudice shoot as soon as I can…
For now here’s me and Adrian Lester in our WP suits:
I’ve never been more motivated to write a post! Just got back from France - what can I say?! It was a blast!! Thank you Paris! We played six shows over three days, to six amazing audiences! … It really was a special trip for me.
I left on Wednesday night, so that I’d be fresh for my TSF Jazz Radio interview on Thursday. If you ever get to take the Eurostar then DO IT! It’s calm and smooth and comfortable - everything flying isn’t! After my TSF interview with the wonderful Bob Garcia, I then went off to a quick meeting followed by soundcheck at the club and first of our shows.
Thanks so much to everyone at Duc De Lombards. The staff/crew were simply amazing. Thanks to the band, and of course, everyone who came down, it was a pleasure meeting some of you! Me and the band hung out after the gigs on the last two nights - two awesome jam sessions led by Parisian musicians. They killed it! So swingin! Those cats sure can play! I swear, one tune was at around 500bpm!!! Lol!
I better hit the hay, as it’s pretty late and I gotta full day of NOTHING to do tomorrow! Ha! … Some practice - maybe some writing - I don’t know… Anyway, au revoire, see you soon!
Well, a lot’s been happening recently. It was my birthday in October (I was 27) and I got myself a freaking iPod as a present! It’s awesome. This means I’ll be posting a lot more content on YouTube and Twitter from now on. Just try and stop me…
It’s also made me lazy. I’m actually talking this, as opposed to typing - how ridiculous is that?! I love dictation software, it’s practically my new hobby.
Music-wise, a lot has been happening too. I’m currently on tour with my band - we’ve played to some great crowds in some great venues all over the UK, I also got to meet some awesome people. Signing CD’s is never a chore, I’m so happy when people ask : ) The tour’s been amazing so far, I feel very blessed to be doing this as a ‘job’. Birmingham Symphony Hall Foyer was a personal favourite as was Milton Keynes. Thanks to all who came to the shows so far… Been an amazing response.
So amazing actually, that we’re back due to popular demand, (I’ve always wanted to say that!). I am doing an additional London date with full band, on top of the dates which were originally on the tour. The date is the 14th of November, at The Forge, Camden. For details, have a look on the Facebook page. Here is the link: www.Facebook.com/AnthonyStrongMusic.
It’s another very late night here, so I’m going to call it a day. I’ll be back soon Tumblr, dictating on my sexy new iPad… If you’re not jealous, you should be. Ha ha ha …
