‘All As One’ with Emily, the queen of UK jazz-fusion
Dance / Jazz / Lyrics / Music / Songwriting / Writing

‘All As One’ with Emily, the queen of UK jazz-fusion

Acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer, and ‘queen of UK jazz-fusion’ (so says DJ and producer, Snowboy, and who am I to disagree?), the brilliant Emily Saunders is promising us a new album this year. It’s an exciting prospect, which has prompted me to catch up on her latest releases. So here’s a look at (and listen … Continue reading

Feisty, funny & warm – Annalene Beechey on playing Anna in ‘The King & I’
Dance / Music / Theatre

Feisty, funny & warm – Annalene Beechey on playing Anna in ‘The King & I’

The multi award-winning Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical, The King and I is again touring UK theatres. Ahead of its return to Cardiff’s New Theatre next week (Tuesday 21 – Saturday 25 November 2023), I’m very pleased to share this interview with Annalene Beechey, who plays Anna to Darren Lee’s King.  What … Continue reading

New murals celebrate city’s music and architecture
Art / Cardiff / Music / Wales

New murals celebrate city’s music and architecture

New murals celebrating Cardiff’s musical and architectural heritage have been unveiled in underpasses in the city centre. One designed by Unify Creative, the artists behind the ‘Butetown Mona Lisa,’ is in the underpass beneath Boulevard de Nantes, connecting Kingsway with the Civic Centre. The other by Wall-Op Murals, inspired by the city’s history and the … Continue reading

Rocky Horror at 50: Richard O’Brien on life, laughs, and singing
Film / Music / Rock / Songwriting / Theatre / Writing

Rocky Horror at 50: Richard O’Brien on life, laughs, and singing

As The Rocky Horror Show reaches its half century, with a UK tour in 2023, we’re pleased to publish this interview with its creator Richard O’Brien. What was your inspiration behind The Rocky Horror Show? Someone asked me to entertain the Christmas staff party at the EMI Film Studios and so I wrote a song … Continue reading

Swansea Jazz Festival is back on the waterfront
Funk / Jazz / Music / Soul / Wales

Swansea Jazz Festival is back on the waterfront

The much-missed Swansea International Jazz Festival is back this summer. The city’s celebration of jazz has had two years off because of the pandemic, and had already switched to a more low-key autumn event because of budget uncertainties in 2019. But now, thanks to a partnership between the city council and Swansea Jazz Club, it’s … Continue reading