Upcoming Gigs

So I have been a busy bee lately and not got around to doing a blog, so I will have to do a big one including a collection of the madness.
Firstly we had Radio.String.Quartet.Vienna's debut UK tour which was very exciting. They're one of the only bands who have completely blown me away from the very first time and I've seen them. When they played the Vortex last year I was determined to get to work with them in the UK. Despite being almost unknown in the UK their tour was well attended and they got some great reviews.
It's been another incredible couple of weeks for Empirical. Not only having a fantastic feature in the Guardian but also filling their diary with some massively exciting festivals worldwide. Not only are they a great band musically, but great guys to work with. They make getting up in the morning a pleasure (and trust me it takes a lot for that to happen!). Sadly I missed their three night support slots at Ronnie Scott's as I was in Oslo but those who were there said they were great.
A few weeks ago I got to go to the Blue Note in Milan where Ray Gelato was performing. It's always great to see the band play but it was even more of a treat to see them play at this wicked venue. I was there to meet Ray's Italian agent Isio who was truly lovely. I am looking forward to working with him.
Last week I flew to Oslo for the annual Scandinavian music networking and showcase festival By:Larm. I was invited to be a delegate and it was a real honour to go. Although it's a mixed music event and therefore jazz isn't the focus, there were still some great bands and promoters to meet.
I arrived on the Thursday after a torturous journey that started with severe delays on the Stanstead Express due to rail works overrunning and continued with arriving at the airport to find no currency converter and no way to afford the bus to central Oslo.
These were just little mountains to climb, though, and I eventually made it to the hotel to register for the conference. Thursday night I was treated to the company of journalists from various rock publications like NME and artrocker. After seeing some great bands and suffering from the huge drinks prices I sloped off.
Friday was full of meetings with numerous festival and venue promoters including Dirk from popkomm, Christian from Reeperbahn festival and karsten and Harun from International Istanbul Jazz festival. I was then taken out for dinner by the lovely Edvard, Lars and Lise from Oslo Jazz Festival. Joining me at the table was Stuart Nicolson and Karsten from Germany. Great food, drink and conversation ensued and then we went to see some of the key jazz artists that were playing at the event. It was great to have Lars and Lise being my guide as it wasn't clear which bands were jazz from the programme (which is a great idea because all sorts of audiences were at the jazz gigs). We met up with Jamie Cullum who was over there working with Beady Belle and he performed a few tunes with her later that night.
On sat after lunch with some of my friends who live in Oslo, I yet again met up with the Jazzers at the event. We went to an event for festivals and venues where I met Kari who co-ordinates one of Norway's jazz centre. The evening brought yet more great jazz gigs and some not so jazzy gigs!
It was truly a great event to go to and I felt really honoured to be invited as I was one of only a few UK jazz agents there. Bring on next year!!