Ronnie Scott's 2009
24/02/2009

Last week, from February 19 through February 21, I had the opportunity to perform with my group at Ronnie Scott's. This is the fourth year running that I have done this with the club doing great business during our tenure, in the process. So, to be able to say this in a period where the world is going through a significant economic crisis makes the success of the presentations, at Ronnie Scott's this time around even sweeter. I finally put together the individuals I felt could help me make the musical statement I have been seeking for quite some time. Junior Gill - Steel Pan, Jean-Marie Ecay - guitars, Christophe Cravero - violin and keyboards, Fifi Chayeb - bass and Marco Lobo - percussion, really help me make the music sing. Everyone played comfortably with the music. This comes from having the chance, over time to get used to what I have written and become secure in it's musical direction. Much of what I write can appear difficult to interpret if one does not give it the opportunity to express itself. In some pieces that appear simple upon hearing it is quite different when one tries to read it and transfer it to their respective instrument. Interpretation of the notes are very important and all I ask is that the music on the paper is respected in the same way that one will listen to it so as to understand how to translate it and transfer it from visual and sonic to the actual application needed to play through the instrument. I believe that this is the same for any composition and this is what I do when I play anyone's composition along with accepting the direction that is given me to help the writer realize his idea through me and my instrument. What I have said here reflects, in a major way what this group of musicians did when they performed with me at "Ronnies". I thank them for it and can point to the end result of our group accomplishment as us having much fun and positive feeling but, with the idea that there is still a horizon in which to seek as one can only get better if you want to by continuing to keep an open mind and build on the results of your past experiences whether good or bad.

 

Bill C. 



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