Jazz, Soul and Glastonbury

29/06/2010

Students opened the festival with a selection of jazz, soul and motown classics

BTEC Music students opened the show at a Jazz and Soul on Broadway gig, which was held 30 May, on The Broadway, Haywards Heath. The forty-minute set which was arranged and promoted by local company It's Magic Promotions, saw the group wow the crowds, with a selection of Motown and soul classics.

Adam Rutherford, who was part of the ensemble said "It was a great experience to play a full set at the Jazz and Soul on Broadway gig! We got to open the show and it was fantastic to be involved and play at an outdoor local event." Other students who took to the stage were Amie Nelms, who said "The stage was much bigger than we expected. It was a great experience to perform outside. I really loved it!" and Emma Newly, who said the sound was 'fantastic!"

Also on the bill for the event were The Brass Volcanoes, an energetic street band from London, Ska Toons, who combine ska, funk and jazz, and disco classics courtesy of headline act Boogie Wonderland. BTEC Music Tutor at the Sixth Form Haywards Heath campus, Steve McCarthy was thrilled to watch the group perform, saying "The students were invited to perform by Tim French of It's Magic Promotions. We are very grateful for the opportunity and would like to thank It's Magic Promotions for letting our talented students open the event."

Steve, who studied at the London College of Music, is no stranger to the limelight himself, and this weekend, 26 and 27 June, he took to the stage at the world famous Glastonbury Festival! In addition to his role as Tutor at the College, Steve is also a session musician, who has recently been playing with London-based band, Black Cherry, who share the same live agent as Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson and Amy Winehouse! The band played on Sunday 27 June on the John Peel stage, which also played host to Mumford & Sons, Groove Armada, Ellie Goulding, and Ash over the course of the Festival's 40th birthday celebrations.

The first to admit that combining College life with that of a professional musician requires some amount of balance, Steve says "juggling the roles does mean turning down some tempting opportunities at times! However, I have a great passion for teaching and the rewards it brings. In many ways I have spent my life helping others and passing on my advice." Music students at the College appreciate that not every tutor is able to bring such an insight into the world of live performance, and the kudos of the Glastonbury Festival is not lost on them. One student, who took part in the Jazz and Soul on Broadway gig said "Not many people can say their teacher played at Glasto! - It shows that hard work and dedication in the music industry can produce real results."