Sunbeams

Sometimes you come across something unexpected that just puts everything in perspective.

I came across this wonderful audio slideshow interview with harpist Annie Mawson on the BBC wesbite. She founded a charity twenty years ago called the Sunbeams Music Trust which works with children and adults with varying levels of disability.

A truly remarkable woman whose charity has been doing amazing things with music therapy in Cumbria for many years.

Bravo!

Click on the image below to watch the interview, it's wonderful.

Far Beyond the Stars

My husband was in the middle of writing a euphonium concerto for Glyn Williams and Fodens Band when Ali Stephens died a couple of years ago.

He subsequently arranged the second movement of that piece for guitar, harp and string orchestra for myself and Craig Ogden (Ali's other duo partner) to play at her memorial concert at Trinity College of Music.

Last year Craig and myself recorded a demo version of it with the RNCM strings - appropriate to post up now it's 2 year anniversary of Ali losing her battle with cancer. A remarkable woman who achieved an enormous amount in her 40 years.

Far Beyond the Stars by Andy Scott
Craig Ogden - Guitar
Lauren Scott - Harp
RNCM Strings directed by Chris Hoyle

Robert Maxwell

I've just come across a really good article about Robert Maxwell on the jazz harp website.

I must admit to buying a copy of his Ebb Tide when I was a teenager (which I know is lurking somewhere in one of my music cupboards), but never really playing it as I found it too cheesy and preferred playing Misty.

Born in 1921, he studied at the Julliard under Grandjany and became a popular showman harpist and songwriter, apparently more popular in his day than Harpo Marx! Another good article about him here where his music is listed as exotica lounge - Nothing quite like exotica lounge harp - FANTASTIC!!!

Accidental Slip on an Oriental Rug by Robert Maxwell, His Harp & His Orchestra

brilliantly bonkers and of course Ebb Tide 

Still not mad on the tune but great orchestration!

harp boogie

A "pop video" from the late Forties - harpist Adele Girard and kooky dancer!

Lovely comments on YouTube about this video - worth reading!

keep smiling

• Don't you wish you played the flute? - 1

• Bet you can't get that under your chin? - 3

• Which way to the toilets? - 4

That'll be the number of times asked those questions on a gig...