Its starting!!

Just to let you know that the mess marquee goes up tomorrow. The grass has been cut ready. Very exciting!

Anyone remember Bee?

Just to let you know that ex camper and member of staff Bryony Sutton ( now known as Bryony Hannah). is playing Louise in the new Ricky Gervais film "Cemetery Junction".

Bee was originally a sax pupil of mine at the Arts Ed, then went onto RADA, and has acted to much acclaim since.

Bee is pictured above ( top with soprano) with the sax quartet who represented the camps at the opening of the new Stables theatre, and also the BBC Jazz awards the same year.

Stop press! TV documentary.

There is a television programme called Johnny Dankworth: the Show Went On which is being broadcast on Saturday April 10, on More 4 at 8pm. It’s an Associated-Rediffusion Television Production. Its about the day John died, and the Funeral and tribute day. I think the programme is an hour long, and will include footage of the two events. Some of us that took part were interviewed for the programme ( but may get edited out!) but I am sure it will be an interesting programme to watch.
Check TV listings for times in case I have got it wrong.

Happy Birthday Avril Dankworth.

Happy birthday Avril. 88 today!

Happy Vivaldi's birthday!

John Dankworth funeral and celebration

What a privilege it was to be part of the day to celebrate the life of John Dankworth. To be surrounded by so many legends of the music world, and to hear them play, and then to hear them play again after the formal event was over just because they wanted to. How nice to see so many old friends, and to celebrate the life of the man that influenced us all... an extraordinary man. What a few weeks it has been with the night of the 40th anniversary, and now this. A documentary about this period of time is being made, and many of us that were there have taken part in it. I think it is on 14th Mar on channel 4, but will confirm that. http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article7046031.ece

Radio two broadcast

The Stables anniversary concert is on radio two tomorrow. Not sure if we will be on there, but we are billed on the radio two website (excerpt below)


Next on:
Tomorrow, 19:30 on BBC Radio 2
Synopsis
Radio 2 remembers Sir John Dankworth with highlights of the 40th anniversary concert recorded at The Stables on the day he passed away (6 February 2010).
John Dankworth was a pioneer of modern jazz in Britain; a superb instrumentalist; a leading composer of film music; a champion of musical education; and the husband of Dame Cleo Laine, with whom he founded The Stables in Milton Keynes.
The first performance at The Stables took place on 6 February 1970 and and through its 40 year history, Sir John provided ongoing support for the genre-spanning music venue and its educational programmes. On the day of the anniversary concert, John was in hospital but it was hoped that he would have recovered sufficiently to appear as part of the celebrations. Sadly, John passed away the same afternoon but it was decided, in true Dankworth tradition, that the show should go ahead without him.
The anniversary concert featured Dame Cleo Laine, son Alec Dankworth, daughter Jacqui Dankworth and granddaughter Emily Dankworth; as well as performances from Rod Argent, Iain Ballamy, Lorna Dallas, Emma Johnson, Dominic Miller, Paul O'Grady, Martin Taylor, Sarah Watts and the National Youth Music Camps Choir