By the way folks, our gig tomorrow at Symphony Hall is not in the usual foyer space. There will be signs to re-direct you to Hall 11. Best have a few extra minutes in hand to reach it comfortably. See you there!
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Dave met the great tabla master (and one of his heroes) Zakir Hussain at the Oleron Jazz Festival in France. Dave says “It was a great display of musicianship last night at the Oloron Jazz festival. Zakir was playing in duo with Oud player and vocalist Dhafer Yousef. He was very nice, I gave him a copy of our album Global as a thank you for all the pleasure his playing has given me over the years. I was embarrassed to say that I played a little tabla on one of the tracks. He joked that he played a little tabla too… I was very struck by how Zakir had integrated extra tablas, little tuned drums and percussion into his playing last night so it was very varied and interesting. Tablas plus. The technique as ever was formidable and impeccable, but his adaptability to the different musical environments ( so many) he plays in always impresses me. I mentioned that I was fortunate to meet and do a few classes with his dad the great Ustad Alla Rakha, best known I suppose for 30 years accompanying Ravi Shankar. It surprised him to meet an aging muso at a concert in Oloron who knew his dad! Alla Rakha flew the flag for the tablas in the west and taught Zakir from a very early age. For this and all his other many achievements I and many others are eternally grateful.” ...
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Tickets for our double-header with Sonrisa on 8th June are going, going… It looks as though the double bill is already a hit with audiences, so the night itself should be a scorcher! Don’t want to miss out? Hit the link now!
See More‘Thanks for Monday. Really cool set. A mention and pic at www.everysmith.com and also an interesting comment! The second one I think.’ Max (Wilde’s)
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Gilles Peterson, the much-admired BBC 6Music presenter and long-standing aficionado of British contemporary jazz, has been in touch after listening to Interplay’s ‘Global’. In a brief email to Adrian Litvinoff he commented: ‘Beautiful record – thanks so much for sending!’ Just a few words, but the fact that he took the trouble to pass them on means a lot to us. After all, this is the man who put out two volumes of ground-breaking British jazz of the 1960s and 70s, under the title ‘Impressed’. Thanks very much...
See MoreAlan Musson’s programme will be featuring Dave Balen and Adrian Litvinoff sharing their musical experiences and influences to tie in with the launch of the new album “Global”. Alan will be playing some of the new CD and also some of the music that has inspired Dave and Adrian over the course of their musical lives. Do tune in on Monday 21st October on 102.5 Fm The ‘Bridge- Stourbridge local radio. To listen online – go to...
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Two years in the making ‘Global’, Interplay’s second album, is finally released on 21st October 2013 on Silvery Records (SRCD0065). Musical scents of Cuba, North Africa, India and elsewhere infuse the jazz-rooted repertoire, powered by the fine musicianship of Alan Wakeman, Richard Baker, Neil Hunter, Dave Balen and Adrian Litvinoff. To celebrate this milestone Interplay are having a special event at the Live Arts and Music Project (LAMP), Leamington’s newest and grooviest venue. Join us on Sunday 20th October at 8.00pm for music, drinks and good times to celebrate this milestone. Bring a horn or join in on percussion. Please follow the link http://tinyurl.com/o87z2ys and confirm your attendance. Even if you can’t make it, send us a message to read out on the...
See MoreDave on tabla at the 606 Interplay’s drummer Dave Balen found his London business trip took a surprising turn when he was asked to sit in with the legendary British bassist Peter Ind and friends at the 606 Club. Himself an old friend of Peter’s, Dave was delighted to be invited to take part in the gig, arranged as part of the 606’s impressive 25th anniversary celebrations. By pure co-incidence Dave was packing a new set of tablas he had just acquired! He was naturally eager to try them out and this provided a memorable opportunity. Club owner Steve Rubie was on flute, his brother Peter on guitar and someones else (unknown – apologies!) on oud. Their rendition of ‘Sonnymoon For Two’ was impromptu, fresh and eclectic – just the way Dave likes it! This year Peter Ind celebrates his 85th birthday. His extraordinary career spans over 60 years, virtually concurrent with the whole evolution of modern and contemporary jazz. Among his musical associates are Lennie Tristano, Warne Marsh and Lee Konitz from the US, and Louis Stewart, Stephane Grappelli and Martin Taylor among the European notables. At times a recording engineer, record producer, club owner, painter and author, Peter’s work constitutes a substantial archive, and he clearly isn’t done yet! For more insight into this amazing musician visit Peter Ind....
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