Helen George: From singing along to Sinatra to starring in ‘High Society’
Dance / Jazz / Music / Theatre

Helen George: From singing along to Sinatra to starring in ‘High Society’

Helen George grew up listening to her jazz-fan father’s records – now she’s singing some of those timeless songs on stage, as the star of a lavish new production of the classic Cole Porter musical High Society. About to start a 20-week tour after its run in London, the production lands in Cardiff soon (21-25 … Continue reading

‘Current’ explores the sounds of jazz and more on the water
Film / Music / Jazz / Writing / Songwriting / Documentary / Art

‘Current’ explores the sounds of jazz and more on the water

It seems to me there’s something primal about our relationship with water – we’re instinctively drawn to it, whether rivers, lakes, or the ocean; we come from it, in evolutionary terms and through birth; and we are mostly made of it (roughly 60%, apparently). Perhaps that’s why Current, the new album from New York-based Dutch … Continue reading

Are you sure? Ten things you never knew about The 1957 Tail Fin Fiasco
Jazz / Lyrics / Music / Pop / Rock / Songwriting

Are you sure? Ten things you never knew about The 1957 Tail Fin Fiasco

Those very good friends of this blog, The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco have released a new album. And to mark the occasion – some notes on the ten tracks, along with ten things about the band (nine of which are true). With thanks to the band’s Malcolm Moore, here are those notes about the new release, … Continue reading

Rebecca’s new single captures smooth sounds of summer
Jazz / Lyrics / Music / Pop / Songwriting

Rebecca’s new single captures smooth sounds of summer

The new single from London singer-songwriter Rebecca Poole is released on Friday (20 June 2025) – a day before midsummer’s day. Appropriately, it’s called Summer Days [not to be confused with the Emily Sanders classic of the same name], and it captures the mood of the season from the start – “Don’t you love those … Continue reading

How Jean lives on in a beautiful and moving song
Music / Pop / Rock / Songwriting / Writing

How Jean lives on in a beautiful and moving song

Jean Marchetti was a musician who, like many musicians, fell on hard times. Suffering ill health and with arthritis in her hands, she could no longer play her guitar, and she found herself living in rented accommodation in London. By chance, that’s when David Myers (roughly 50% of our favourite [don’t tell the others] band … Continue reading

From Dancefloor to Rollercoaster – exploring the songwriting prowess of Gregg Alexander
Lyrics / Music / Pop / Rock / Songwriting / Writing

From Dancefloor to Rollercoaster – exploring the songwriting prowess of Gregg Alexander

He may not be a household name, but I’ll bet you know his work – Gregg Alexander is a songwriter, producer and performer with a knack for crafting some of the most catchy, emotionally resonant songs of the past 25 years. Here I delve into four notable tracks that highlight his remarkable songwriting prowess: Continue reading