Quotes

After witnessing firsthand the FUERZA experience, Some comments :

'Ecstatic Latin jazz groove caldron overlaid with 'phat' pumping riffs from the wild men of the bristling horn section ala Tower of Power with a smattering of hot metal guitar

- a joyful blast from young vibrant band to shake up the London scene.'

-Paul Pace . Promoter Spice Jazz/Manager Rays Jazz At Foyles

FUERZA

Ok,

So, the gig went amazingly well. There was a little pre show stress due to transport in london, typical sorta stuff with people doing their best to turn up on time etc.......Also logistically in the spice having 10 members of fuerza plus an extra two who are in the definitions also, well, as you can imagine mightve been a little tricky. Specially since Aaron and Myself had numerous horns/effects/percussion/stands/beers all hanging around us!

CARL ORR. What an amazing talent. He couldnt make a rehearsal with us, yet still on first read through the charts on the gig it was tight. Seriously rockin. Phil mentioned that its probably due to the preparation of the charts/sheet music so i guess my work paid off in the end!!

Had a real fun night, about 90 people down the spice so it was packed. Good vibes coming musically, shame that so many people at the spice feel the need to always talk LOUDER than the band. I dont get that attitude, i mean...sure i like to play to an audience, but if said audience just wants to chat and banter when we are trying to do some interesting and quiet music, well.....perhaps itd be better to just have the people there who want to hear and experience our vibes! ANYWAYS, i am not worried about it as although we had the odd quiet moment, we played loud for the rest part and i bloody loved it! So good to let loose and really nail some music!

Personally i can remember how i played...i was vibing off it all so much that i cant tell you what i played. I do remember playing percussion and stuff and obviously the bone, but yeah. Looking forward to hearing the live recording we had done!!

Thankyou to one and all in the band. We are gonna keep this momentum up!!

Thankyou to everyone who was there physically and in spirit (as i know lots of you cant make it due to the fact you are around the other side of the world!!)

Thanks to Tori. You are the best. xxx

Yeah, if anyone would like to book us/hear FUERZA/etc
Please check out the myspace site here and contact me through that!

Stay tuned!!!

Benny

FUERZA 8th June 2006

Ok, hi all. So frankly, my myspace site

here

Has kinda taken over blog/site wise, still i do check in on this site occasionally and do keep up with all my buddies with their respective blogs. BUT please do check out my myspace, should have some clips from my bands etc up soon too!!!

New Recommendations

Gday all,

a few recommendations musically for you all to check out if you get the chance!!

Most recently, i was lucky enough to meet Malene Mortensen & Magnus Hjorth when they did a little instore appearance here at Rays Jazz. A superb vocalist & pianist respectively, two of the nicest people also. Hailing from two of my favourite countries, Denmark and Sweden, check their music out if you get the chance!!!!

I have also been checkin out lots of vocalists in preparation of some projects ive got coming up, including: Georgie Fame, Mark Murphy, Ian Shaw, Sinatra, Mose Allison, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin, Darondo. Sorta jazz based vocalists who do something real interesting with their music...be it a Blues twinge or a Soul vein!!!

There is a great new electronic/jazz funk based album of Radiohead tunes which i look forward to listening to.............checked out the new Andrew Hill (With CHARLES TOLLIVER ripping it up on trumpet-what a legend!!!), Gonzalo Rubalcaba-solo piano stuff, Nik Bartsch's Ronin band on ECM, Trygve Seim's THE SOURCE album on ECM also. Ummmmmmmm. A great latin based compilation of Panamanian 70s funk/jazz. Gilles Peterson's latest compilation is kickin too!!

Later Catzzzzzzzz

B

Bastien Terraz Quartet @ Spice Of Life 19th Feb 06

¬ FUERZA ¬ Thursday 29th September

Upcoming Gig NExT WEDNESDAY 29th June

RUTH HAMILTON SEXTET @ SPICE OF LIFE IN SOHO

WEDNESDAY 29TH JUNE

8PM Kick Off

BE THERE OR BE CUBE LIKE.

yes i am playing and many of my own kooky arrangements are featured!

WHIRLIGIG Future Gig in September.

WHIRLIGIG

@

Spice Of Life in Soho, off cambridge circus.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 29th, 2005

[Ok so its a fair way away, but i have to let you all know in advance!!!!]

This gig will be a "first" for us. In the sense that it will be the first time we, as a band, will be doing our 'real' thing. That is original music. Our music, good grooves and enjoyment. thats what life is all about and henceforth, music is too.

So, book your flights to London now, so you can be there!!!!!

Ruth Hamilton Band @ Spice Of Life

Yep, Thats right, Whirligig's Vocalista Extroadinaire at her VERY OWN gig @

SPICE OF LIFE

Wednesday June 29th 2005 from 8pm.

Yes, I will be playing in the band. Yes the music will be hot. Yes you WILL have a great time.
YES YOU MUST BE THERE!!!!!!

=O)