I generally find January to be quite a depressing, miserable month, but this year, January has been, for John Moakes, quite a different experience. One thing that usually makes the month drag for me, is the time between gigs, after the full-on busy Christmas and New Year period. And then there’s the cold, dark, wet days that seem to stretch on and on and on and on and on … you get the picture! Well, the cold, dark, wet days have still been there (with the odd snow flurry thrown in for good measure), but the days themselves have flown by, and here we are already well into February.
So, what has John Moakes been doing to make January such a pleasant experience this year?! To kick off the month I had a few days in Edinburgh and Glasgow playing trumpet with a touring Rat Pack show. I just love playing to a full house! But apart from that, being in Scotland gave me the opportunity to meet up with a terrific bass player friend of mine from California. After that, it was back to singing, at a private function in Cambridge, which was rather nicely combined with a romantic overnight stay with my wife at the very luxurious Paddocks House near Newmarket. No sooner had we got back from there and I was off to play trumpet and sing with The Stars of British Jazz led by trombone player, Graham Woodhouse for a 50th birthday party at a music venue in Shardlow, Derby. Next up was real ale and swing singing at The Old Yew Tree, South Wingfield. I think it’s safe to say I’m fast becoming something of a hit with the locals at this quaint real ale pub.
Next, for something completely different. I got a last minute plea for help and ended up playing my trumpet with The Jammed, the no.1 tribute to The Jam, at Chesterfield Football Club function suite. I didn’t even know The Jam used brass!! Anyway, I’m glad they did, because not only did I have a really great night with a great tribute band, but I also secured my 2015 New Year’s Eve booking to sing swing music at the New Year’s Eve dinner dance, also to be held in the function suite.
Add to all this, rehearsals, photo shoots, and my daily life outside of the music scene, and you can see it’s been a busy, different, and exciting January for John Moakes this year. I can’t wait to see what February brings!
