High time for a new homepage update on here! Thanks to the faithful few who have been looking in from time to time to see what I was up to last Summer. Your reward will be in the form of a site redesign which is coming very soon…

Life in NYC has been continuing apace since last I had time to write here. Both my musical life and my ‘other job’ (as a web developer) have been busier than ever!

2011 finished, and 2012 started, with my being back in the UK. I made a welcome return to The Rat Pack – Live from Las Vegas for a limited engagement in London’s West End. Great fun to be back playing the show and marvellous to see so many friends, old and new! A bonus was being over there to see my family at Christmas time, although it was at the expense of the planned visit to my wife’s family in Los Angeles; no winter sun for me!!

Since my return to New York in late January, I’ve been keeping busier than ever and playing with an array of fun groups. I’ve written about the one of the more incredible – the Fundraiser for Clark Terry – already in the blog section of this site. What a remarkable event that was!!

Looking forward to the next couple of months, I’ll be playing with Mr Ho’s Orchestrotica Big Band once again – we’re playing the music of Juan Garcia Esquivel in Bethlehem, PA on May 27th. This is actually a gig to replace the one cancelled by the Hurricane last Summer! We also have a second gig a month later, but I’m not permitted to give any details about that yet. More information soon…

Another upcoming performance will be on June 5th with Mike Longo’s NY State of the Art Jazz Ensemble at the Baha’i Center in NYC. Mr Longo was sideman to, and Musical Director for, the late, great Dizzy Gillespie for many years. His writing and playing are extraordinary, and the band formidable! Please come and check it out if you’re nearby.

Looking forward to August, I’ll be heading up to Boston, MA to play with the New Life Jazz Orchestra at the famous Sculler’s Jazz Club on August 24th. Led by Kendrick Oliver, this band is always a swinging affair – the last site update here was just before a concert we played last summer – and it’ll be a great show. We are joined by special guests Rachael Price and Warren Wolf. If you’re in that neck of the woods, it’ll be well worth checking out!!

Enough for now. Thanks again for looking in.

BD

During the month of July, I’m home in New York; firmly ensconced in the usual routine of practising, teaching and playing rehearsals and gigs in and around the city. One exception, that takes me a little further afield, is a gig on July 10th up in Springfield, MA. On this occasion, I’ll be playing Lead Trumpet with Kendrick Oliver’s New Life Jazz Orchestra for their performance at the Hoop City Jazz and Art Festival. If you’re in the area, I hope to see you there – details are on my Schedule page.

Looking back to June, I had a great trip back to the UK, visiting family and friends and doing some playing and teaching. One highlight while I was there was resurrecting the “Quarter To Four” band at Grimsby Jazz. We had a great time playing and it was so nice to see so many old friends, both on and off the bandstand. I made a reference recording of the evening and have posted a couple of samples in my Soundcloud account – they are linked elsewhere on the site.

Just before I left for the UK, I spent a chop-bursting evening at the Tea Lounge in Brooklyn, attempting to play the lead book with The Chase Experiment. Bandleader Jackie Coleman has painstakingly transcribed much of the music of Chase; the iconic Trumpet-section-led Jazz/Rock group devised by former Woody Herman lead trumpet, Bill Chase. I’ve enjoyed that music for a long time and playing it gave me a new appreciation for what a monstrous player he was!

Upon my return to New York, I played with the Nathan Parker Smith Large Ensemble for the Jazz Vespers service at St Peter’s Church. Nathan has written some great, if slightly unconventional, music and it was tremendous fun to play something a bit different. I look forward to playing with them again soon.

Hope you’re having a great summer.

BD

June sees a welcome return to the UK, the first since my emigration to the States. I’m very much looking forward to seeing family and friends. I’ll be predominately based in Cleethorpes, at my parents’ place, from June 7-14 but am open to offers, if anybody finds they could use me for a gig elsewhere.

The one gig I do have on the books is at Grimsby Jazz in Thursday, June 9th. We will be reprising the so-called “Quarter to Four” band that proved so successful a few summers ago. So called because of a last minute mix up, on the day of a supposed Grimsby Jazz gig with a different band; the replacement group was finally settled at 3:45pm! It will be a great pleasure to play with Pat McCarthy (guitar), Piero Tucci (piano/saxes) and Tony Burkill (tenor sax) again. Rounding out the band this time will be Ken Marley (bass) and John Perry (drums). It promises to be a good night!

There are some lesson spots available, while I’m in the UK. I will likely be visiting friends in Leeds on Sunday, June 12th and can be elsewhere as the situation dictates. Please check the Teaching page for details and drop me a line if you’re interested. Skype lessons are always available, as well, as when I’m in NYC. However, the smaller time difference may make them more viable for interested students in Europe – I know that can make scheduling a headache sometimes.

On the subject of lessons, I must offer my apologies for the current absence of the Store on my site. If you would like to organize a lesson, please drop me a line and I can send you a PayPal link to prepay your Skype (or in-person) lesson. The store will be fixed shortly.

Enjoy your summer!
BD

After as quiet a start to the year as I can remember, it’s time to hit the road again! From February 17th to 24th, and on February 26th, I’ll be touring with The Artie Shaw Orchestra. We have 8 dates on this little sojourn and I’m looking forward to my first trip out with an actual “ghost band” of one of the great American bandleaders. Should be lots of fun!

The dates and cities are as follows. For more details, please check my schedule page.

• Feb. 17 – Richmond, VA
• Feb.18 – Newberry, SC
• Feb.19 – Henderson, NC
• Feb.21 – Lancaster, PA
• Feb.22 – Zelionople, PA
• Feb.23 – Princeton, NJ
• Feb.24 – Nashua, NH
• Feb.26 – Mahwah, NJ

Looking forward to March, I’m actually playing my first gig in New York City, since the move here. On March 18th, I’ll be tackling the Lead trumpet chair with Mr Ho’s Orchestrotica, on their CD release concert at Le Poisson Rouge, in the West Village. This peculiarly named group plays the music of the great Juan Esquivel – considered by many to be Mexico’s answer to Duke Ellington! The style has been described both as ‘exotica’ and ‘space-age’; all I know is that it’s a lot of fun, particularly since the Lead book is somewhat high!! Hope to see some NY folks there – either for moral support, or to point and laugh!

More news about my prospective trip to Europe in June, upon my return from this round of travels.

BD

It’s been quiet around here lately, much as it has in my musical world in general. I had a terrific trip to Austria back in late October/early November for the Gansch & Roses CD Presentation Tour, as has already been mentioned. It’s always a great pleasure to be in the company of Thomas Gansch, and the rest of the guys in the group, both on and off the bandstand. The new CD, Resal, is now out and receiving good reviews. It is available, so far, from Schagerl or Hoanzl in Austria; as yet it’s not showing up on Amazon or iTunes – I’ll post those links when they’re available. For folks in the USA, I do have a few copies left in my online store – you will find the price to be a bit more reasonable there. If you’re in Europe, it will work out cheaper to buy from the Austrian stores.

Included on the Resal CD is the studio version of “Der Rock des Trompeters – A Tribute to Bill Chase”. If you’re looking for the live video, with Thomas Gansch and Adam Rapa, which has been frequently posted on my homepage, you can find it here.

Since my return from Austria, life has continued apace in New York. Most of my musical activities have been in the educational realm; not only teaching trumpet lessons but also doing some “substitute band directing” at NYU. I’m pleased to say that the Online Skype Trumpet Lessons have become increasingly popular, with students on both sides of the pond. During 2010, I’ve worked with students from Austria, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, in addition to the USA. The Skype technology has improved noticeably over the past couple of years I’ve been teaching through it – it really is worth considering!

Looking forward to 2011, it seems likely that I will be visiting Europe again in June. There are a couple of likely projects in Austria at the beginning of the month and I’m already starting to schedule some gigs and lessons in the UK afterwards. Aside from musical endeavours it will, of course, be good to get back and visit my family. More details will be forthcoming as they are firmed up, but please keep it in mind if you are interested in booking a lesson, or could use me for any kind of gig!

In the meantime, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and all the very best for the New Year!