On The Road with Zoe Gilby

Hello there. Its been a little while and I thought you might all wish to brought up to date. The big news was the release of my album "Twelve Stories" We had an album launch night and tour throughout December.

Sunday 1st December 2013 was the night. After weeks/months of preparation, my album launch night had finally arrived. Thankfully the albums had arrived some weeks prior. There had been a small but effective media frenzy. In the lead up to the release, there was a couple of interview and a some press exposure.

It was in my hometown of Newcastle at The Bridge Hotel, where Andy and I host the weekly "Splinter @ The Bridge" jazz and improvised music night. Loads of family and friends came out to support us. It was a real buzz to perform the album and it went down a storm. It happened to be the day before the third anniversary of my fathers death. Mike Gilby was a highly respected arranger and trumpeter based in the north east. I took the opportunity that night to dedicate the song "Parents" to him. It was quite emotional. I got a really nice review off top jazz blogger Lance Liddle on his site "Bebop Spoken Here" You can read it here

www.lance-bebopspokenhere.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/cd-launch-zoe-gilby-quartet-twelve.html

It was apparently one of the most read posts on the site for 2013!

After a roaring success at the album launch we were able to take this show on the road, thanks to the funding from Jazz Services touring support. 900 miles in total, nearly around the four corners of England. Richard Brown, our fantastic drummer did ALL of the driving with us in the car and a trailer with all of gear. 

First up was Dacre Hall in Lanercost. It is in fact part of Lanercost Priory. The space was beautiful, very atmospheric, I can feel a song in the pipe line! The audience were great. We met some really lovely people, one of whom said they would see us at the London date, as they work there through the week. The voice and bass duo "Money" took a different angle when Andy had some comping support throughout his solo by none other than me! This wasn't pre-arranged, I just kind of went into it. This was a fab gig and I would seriously consider doing a "rural tour" and Jazz Services offer a funding scheme for it, watch this space.

Next up was Darlington Jazz Club held in super-venue The Forum. Although it takes place in the bar there were no clashing of tills and glasses. The crowd and staff are extremely respectful of the live music. After a couple of touring gigs under our belt we were really feeling in the swing of things. The audience feedback was very complimentary. One gentleman, who openly admitted to "not really liking original music" said he loved our compositions and thought they were really strong, particularly "The Midnight Bell" The promoters must have liked it because Andy and I are booked to perform our voice and bass duo at The Darlington Jazz Festival in April. We are really looking forward to performing at this up-and-coming venue again.

Hitting the road but further south we came to our Lancashire date at Woodhouses Jazz Club, north Manchester. We added "Time After Time" and "That Old Black Magic" to the set. A fellow songwriter was in the room and he has requested that we consider performing one of his compositions. What an honour and a compliment! Great, something new to sink our teeth into. The promoter phoned me after the tour inviting us back again, which I'm sure we will take him up on. We better have the songwriters tune under our belt by then.

The following night we were in a very foggy Norwich. Drummer, Brian McAllister who runs Norwich Jazz Club greeted us with his authentic Geordie "Why aye man, yer bugger man" We felt at home from the start. We've gigged a few times in Norwich and it was lovely to see some familiar faces and friends. It was really nice to have a face-face chat with Brian Smith from Blythe Valley Radio, after my interview with him on his show the previous week. One of his favourite tunes on the album was Duke Ellington's "Caravan" which we always love to perform live, giving drummer Richard a good feature he can stretch out on.

Then we were London bound, but not without a quick half pint stop off in Bury St Edmunds in one of the smallest pubs in England. After battling our way through the London traffic (with trailer) we finally made it to soho's vocal jazz night at the Spice of Life. It took us all by surprise to see my mam and step-dad there, down from the north east. Along with my big brother who lives in London, it was quite the family affair. Amongst the crowd was the very chap who'd promised his appearance at Lanercost, a man of his word and he said he enjoyed it just as much second time round. An opportunity arose to dedicate (and embarrass) my mother with Red Headed Girl. This tune is written about her life before motherhood. A story that had to be on the album.

Next up was Soundcellar in Poole, Dorset. I'd been to this venue before when Andy's band ACV gigged there. A fabulous underground basement room really sets the scene with this place. A listening audience and a Kate Bush fan in the room too. She loved "In The Warm Room" My guitar and vocal duo with Mark Williams, she was even (quietly) singing along.

The last date of the tour was upon us at the very grand Colston Hall in Bristol, albeit in the foyer. Great space and fantastic sound. The audience were mainly there for the German choir who were performing that night in the main hall. Despite that, we still managed to sell a couple of CD's. A short set of an hour then the drive back up north arriving safe and sound.

Then straight into Christmas. Hope you all had a good one. We squeezed in a Christmas gig at Psyche with Trumpeter Noel Dennis who is featured on "Twelve Stories" and I had a nice easy New Year's Eve gig at the plush Jesmond Dene House with pianist Alan Law.

Been receiving some good reviews for the album including this one from The Jazz Mann

http://www.thejazzmann.com/reviews/review/twelve-stories/

January Gigs

4th Jazz Cafe Newcastle. New look venue, a brill night. I'll write it up for you all

19th Jagz Ascot 1pm

19th Jazz in the Back room, The Cherry Tree, Suffolk

24th Atkinson, Southport

31st Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast. The ferry over and everything!

So long for now. If you haven't already got yourself a copy of "Twelve Stories" you can of course purchase it onwww.zoegilby.bandcamp.com or email me direct if you'd rather.

Best wishes

Zoe