We’re having the most incredible time on tour with Jazz Jamaica All Stars and our wonderful friends, Brinsley Forde, Stephen Hussey and the guys and girls from Urban Soul Orchestra. From the day we all came together for the first rehearsal, we’ve had nothing but great vibes all round. There’s a big buzz amongst the group.
Brinsley told us that, years ago, he had an ambition to play with an orchestra and so he’s completely over the moon having the opportunity to work with JJAS and USO on Catch A Fire – the feeling is definitely mutual – and it shows through on every performance. Brinsley is a consummate pro but, man, you can see he’s enjoying every minute of it and having fun…so are we, and so are our audiences!
It’s great because we’re reaching such a wide range of people through this music – all kinds of people, men and women, boys and girls, Black, White, all colours, and from all parts of society. It’s fantastic, the power of music! So far, we’ve worked with two choirs – Gang Of Angels (Nottingham) and Town Hall Gospel Choir (Birmingham) and they have been awesome. It’s not often we get to work with choirs so this has been a massive treat for the guys and me. Loving every minute of it, and looking forward to working with the Amika Choir in Leicester and VoiceLab in London.
And, as one elderly Jamaican lady said to us after the show in Birmingham, ‘It’s so wonderful to see Black people coming together to have fun and enjoy our music’.
One Love to that!
gary crosby 