2023 is shaping up nicely. The “Plague Doctors Cure All” are playing some important gigs at Le Pub, Newport, MusicFestAberystwyth and a few festivals around the Welsh Marches. The Coltrane Dedication continue their mission throughout South and Mid Wales. I also had a really rewarding gig with Ashley John Long improvising the soundtrack to “Man with a Movie Camera” as part of the WOW Film Festival in February.
Other projects are afoot. In particular I’m hoping to stage Cornelius Cardew’s “The Great Learning: Paragraph 3” again, this time at Amgueddfa Ceredigion in Aberystwyth, in June 2023.
Hot off the press – I’m really pleased to be running a series of experimental music session as “NAWR – Aberystwyth”. This links up with the activities of “NAWR Swansea” and “NAWR Hay“. A big thanks to Rhodri Davies for his support and enthusiasm. I’ve a few things to put in place but “brace yourselves” Aberystwyth!
Plague Doctors Cure All Tour Dates & Tickets Coltrane Dedication Tour Dates & TicketsSome fun events in the past …
A somewhat bitter-sweet event on 7th December 2022 ... The "Plague Doctors Cure All" played what could have been the last gig at the Queens Head, Monmouth, due to retirement. (Update April 2023) I'm pleased to say that music will continue at the pub having agreed with the new management to continue with our commitment to original music - no cover bands, not tribute acts, no backing tapes - just original new music!
Start the year 2022 with a bit of free-form ... Wednesday 5th January 8.30pm at the Queens Head, Monmouth, the spiritual home of experimental jazz in S.E. Wales I'm pleased to be part of a quartet comprising Phil Gibbs (Guitar), Ashley John Long (Bass), Alex Goodyear (Drums) and myself on Reeds.
”arwyddion ffyrdd Cymru/Welsh Road signs” Pepper’s West Wales Arts Centre, Abergwaun/Fishguard jazz festival. Saturday 28th August 2021, 1.00 pm LMnO (Long, Moyes ‘nd Owen) playing a series of free-form interpretations based on the road signs of Wales.
The Kitchen Singers. Handel’s “Messiah” in St Nicholas Church, Grosmont Saturday 21st December 2019, 7.30pm. Supporting the true community spirit of Grosmont village, Monmouthshire, and their ambitious production of Handel's Messiah. They asked me if I could play trumpet. A resounding 'no' but I'm doing it on Soprano Saxophone along with harpsichord and string quartet.
BBC Radio 3 "Music Matters" - Interview about Cornelius Cardew and the Scratch Orchestra Saturday 26th October 2019 After the performance of "The Great Learning:Paragraph 3" at the "Voices of Monmouth - Together" event on Thursday 24th October, Lyndon Owen and Caractacus Downes are interviewed by Kate Molleson as part of their piece about the 50th Anniversary of the Scratch Orchestra.
Voice of Monmouth - Together / Lleisiau Mynwy - Gyda'n Gilydd St Mary's Church, Monmouth Thursday October 24 2019 "The Great Learning:Paragraph 3" Cornelius Cardew and a new piece by Ashley John Long. Music in Monmouth are hosting an event which brings together numerous singing and playing groups from the Monmouth community resulting in an 80 strong choir and an Orchestra of 20 double basses to join in a truly communal event. The event will be jointly conducted by Caractacus Downes (Choir) and Lyndon Owen (Orchestra). Several Guest performers will be appearing. www.musicinmonmouth.com
Green Man Festival, Nr. Crughywel SOLD OUT Sunday August 18 2019 Maurice El Medioni - film and music Eclectic Films will be showing a new film 'Maurice El Medioni', and celebrating all that is Middle Eastern Jazz with a specially devised set from world jazz multi-instrumentalists Eira\Snow.
Latitude Festival, Henham Park near Southwold Friday 19th July 2019 The Lavish Lounge BBC3 stage DJ Max Reinhardt (BBC Radio3 Late Junction presenter) laying down world beats with Lyndon Owen, Caractacus Downes, Sheema Mukerjee and friends.
Latitude Festival, Henham Park near Southwold Thursday 18th July 2019 Lavish Lounge Screen Playing improvised soundtracks to Ingmar Bergman's "Persona" (1966) and Luis Bunuel's "Belle de Jour" (1967) with the Instant Scorechestra with Sheema Mukherjee (Sitar & Bass) Sarah Nicolls (prepared and unprepared piano)