Potential Track-Listing for Next Album.

From https://www.facebook.com/tarpleemusic

The Sandbach Transport Festival

Many thanks to the talented songwriter, Tim Lee, who also played,
for this photo.

April 16th, 2016

I played a set at the Sandbach Transport Festival ahead of 'guitar' George Borowski and his band.
Freezing cold, though sunny at times, so I went for a couple of improvised guitar things that my numb fingers couldn't quite manage, but hey ho, such is life. You gotta take risks in music and go for it sometimes or rather all of the time!

Nick Bayes and his team did a great job of looking after all the artists, keeping us as warm as possible with coffees and other things in our cosy hospitality area.

Lovely bunch in front of the stage and it was great to see a very good friend I've not seen for a long while.

Perhaps appropriately, I arrived in
town on a state-of-the-art
Arriva Sapphire bus!

The Festival Spirit - Nantwich 'Jazz Fest Sunday'.

The gang set up.

March 27th, 2016

'Jazz Fest Sunday' as it's known is traditionally the busiest day of the festival where some 40,000 people pour in from surrounding areas to enjoy the music (and alcohol!). This was the most exciting day for me as there is nothing to beat the thrill of playing in a full band and the power, dynamics and emotion this can evoke.

We all seemed relaxed and played really well in the tiny stage area, though Simon said afterwards he couldn't hear the drums at all, many non-musicians are often surprised that hearing good 'on stage' levels for everyone in the band can be quite rare, especially in the often quick turn-arounds you have (an hour between acts in this case). 

It was great to play a full two hour set right through, you can really get into the zone and dig deep into the music, and have time to allow your set to make it's path and tell a musical story.

Tim Lee, whose brilliant solo performance I was lucky enough to catch, also took some great photos;

Me, in monocrome, photo by Tim Lee.

Dave 'The Groove' Coomer, lighting up the electronic kit.
Photo by Tim Lee.

Em, photo by Tim Lee.

Post gig, after loading up in Storm Kate's rain, I had a short break and something to eat before heading out again to catch Tim perform brilliantly in the Singer/Songwriter part of the festival hosted by The Cat Radio on the Blitz stage outdoors. I watched with Dayve Dean (whose set I had sadly, missed) while getting thoroughly drenched meaning I couldn't even feel my fingers when I was playing, luckily muscle memory played it's part but I'd definitely lost some intricacy in my playing.
A few brave (or tipsy) souls danced and sang along at times in the pouring rain, if that's not the festival spirit, I don't know what is!

Tim Lee Rocking the town center outdoor stage

I had cold hands!
Many thanks to Jonathan White for the photo.

Jonathan White, who took the above photo, also published an article about this year's festival at; http://thenantwichnews.co.uk/2016/03/26/nantwich-jazz-festival-packs-music-fans-into-town-venues/

Loving @TheBlueYellows with @Mattlj92 #Nantwichjazzfestival

— CharlotteBirch (@CharlotteyBirch) March 27, 2016

Now playing my favorite!!!! #NoTobaccoNoJesus @TheBlueYellows #MyJam 🌄🌄

— CharlotteBirch (@CharlotteyBirch) March 27, 2016

Watching the always awesome @TheBlueYellows at @nantwichjazz at @UnionNantwich BRILLIANT! pic.twitter.com/sPn5JvO9bt

— Tim Lee - Songwriter (@timleesongs) March 27, 2016

A local gig for me meant nipping home between gigs, Storm Katey making up for my soaking.

The Stormin' Blues Festival

These two, while setting up, stage left.

Today was another Nantwich Jazz Fest gig, and another one with the inimitable Dan - the man - Logan.

The recent warm-weather turned to storms, but not enough to stop the festival goers.

Even though we were indoors, there was a moment, a gust, perhaps even a mini tornado? ...Which hurled both sets of heavy venue doors open, and a huge swirl of wet air soaked several meters of floor inside, impressive stuff.

Lots of people bought Attachment Theories, which was nice.

Now I'm looking forward to kicking up a storm with The Blue Yellows tomorrow!.

The setlist,
(We almost kept to it)

The 20th Nantwich Jazz Festival - Opening Night.

Some of Dan's kit.

24th March 2016

The opening night of this popular festival and the first of several appearances for me, including two with percussion Czar, Dan Logan.

Jazz Fest with @CharlotteyBirch - first artist had to be @JonnieGitAhhr

— Matt Jackson (@Mattlj92) March 26, 2016