Podcasts about Colston Hall

Send us your thoughts! Tom is based in Manchester, UK. He studied Saxophone and composition at the Royal Northern College of Music and the University of Manchester. His classical training from Rob Buckland (saxophone), Camden Reeves and Gary Carpenter (composition) continues to inform all of his original work, which blends his distinctive voice as an improviser, with a characteristically genre bending compositional flare that absorbs the language of contemporary classical, popular and jazz styles.He studied Jazz with Steve Berry and Tim Garland under a scholarship kindly granted by The Kinder Family Trust and with sponsorship from The Royal Society of Musicians.Tom now works internationally as a performer and composer of Jazz, Classical and Commercial Music. Tom has performed at venues which have included The Royal Albert Hall, Royal Exchange Theatre, Colston Hall, Glastonbury Festival, King's Place London, Band on the Wall, The Royal Philharmonic Hall and the world famous 100 Club as well as for various TV/Radio platforms. His professional life involves work in a variety of disciplines such as session touring and studio work, theatre pit work, multi-instrumental positions and original jazz projects. He accepts commissions from Classical performers for new works, as well as composing for commercial briefs including Film/TV and arranging.Support the show

Front Row reviews the week's cultural highlights. Samira Ahmed is joined by critics Sarah Crompton and Isabel Stevens to discuss William Oldroyd's new film Eileen and a production of The House of Bernarda Alba at the National Theatre. The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan, who is often described as one of the 20th Century's greatest song-writers, has died age 65. Irish broadcaster John Kelly remembers him.Ian Youngs reports from Bristol's new music venue Bristol Beacon, formerly Colston Hall, which is re-opening after a five year refurbishment and a name change. It's now a state of the art concert venue, but the work has proved controversial due to escalating costs. And Barbara Walker, who is shortlisted for this year's Turner Prize, talks about how her portraits capture people affected by the Windrush scandal. Presenter: Samira Ahmed Producer: Eliane Glaser

Bishop & Taylor discuss the Building Safety Bill (which had its first reading in the Commons this week), Willmott Dixon's reconstruction of what used be known as Colston Hall, and seemingly magic concrete that repairs itself.

From childhood experiences of being in care and bounced around different schools, to appearing on the front page of the Bristol Post last week talking about knife crime, Lawrence Hoo has a lot to say - often in poetry form. As part of the Cable's Black History Month coverage, Neil and Lawrence talk about the renaming of Colston Hall to Bristol Beacon, how education and the arts are key to building positive paths for young people and the role a poet plays in the political process of the city. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

PEG Interviews Australian Concert Violinist Courtenay Cleary Courtenay completed her scholarship at The Juilliard School in New York where she earned her Master of Music degree with violin professor Naoko Tanaka. She received her Bachelor of Music degree with first-class honours from the Royal Academy of Music in London where she studied with professor Maureen Smith. In 2017 Courtenay performed as a soloist for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and other distinguished guests at Westminster Abbey for the Royal Commonwealth Service. This was broadcast live on BBC television. In 2018 Courtenay again performed for the HM the Queen at Buckingham Palace for the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. She has also performed as a soloist at prestigious venues including the Wigmore Hall, St James’ Piccadilly, the Regent Hall, Colston Hall and the Lincoln Centre. She recently performed Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra in Sydney and gave the Australian premiere of David Lang’s Mystery Sonatas. She is a Tait Memorial Trust and ABRSM scholar, and was recently awarded second prize at the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition as well as the Dame Joan Sutherland Award from the American Australian Association and the Guy Parsons Award from the Portland House and Australian Music Foundations. She was also a finalist in the 2018 Freedman Fellowship awards. She is a member of the Patronus Quartet who in 2015 progressed to the semi-final of the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition. She has performed at many international festivals including Tallinn Music Week and the Melbourne Festival. She has performed in many masterclasses for esteemed artists including Julian Rachlin, Daniel Hope, the St Lawrence String Quartet, and the Borodin Quartet, from whom her own quartet received a letter of recommendation for the MICMC. Courtenay is a core member of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra and also plays casually with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria. She studied at the Australian National Academy of Music from 2012-2014 with William Hennessy. During her time at the academy she played alongside many visiting artists including the Brodsky Quartet, Brett Dean, Michael Collins, The Australian Chamber Orchestra, The Aurora Orchestra, Anthony Marwood, Dale Barltrop and was concertmaster of the ANAM orchestra under the direction of Simone Young, James Judd and Nicholas Carter. In 2011 Courtenay studied under the direction of Associate Professor Patricia Pollett at the University of Queensland. During this time, she was concertmaster of the University of Queensland Chamber and Symphony Orchestras and was finalist in the university’s Bach Prize and The Howard and Gladys Sleath Prize for Strings. She was the recipient of the Sleath String Scholarship for outstanding students and was a winner of the Sid Paige & Musica Viva/4MBS Chamber Music Prize. Artist Website: https://www.courtenaycleary.com/ Watch and Listen: https://www.courtenaycleary.com/watchlisten Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtenaycleary/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CourtenayCleary --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/phantom-electric/message

One of, if not THE, most recognisable gig-goers in the UK joins us on this week's Sheer Isolation Podcast. Bristol's very own enigma Big Jeff talks about his unintended rise to fame, his two most embarrassing nights in the Exchange, and THAT campaign to rename Colston Hall after him. Meanwhile, Kieran launches a campaign in support of Sam and Rich from BBC Introducing who's 10 year stint came to an abrupt halt this week, and reviews the Government's latest lockdown relaxations, or lack of, for the music industry. On top of all this we have a new track from Devizes based ex-Hoax member Jon Amor, and Big Jeff chooses a track that is in no way safe for radio, so we've picked a tune from Bristol based Glaswegian, the Lonely Tourist. The Sheer Isolation podcast is made weekly to promote the music scene in the West of England. It's created by Kieran Moore in Trowbridge and Jon Ponting near Cricklade. Thank you for your continued positive feedback on this series. Safe For Work audio versions are available by searching on your podcast provider, and listen out for us on community radio stations across the region. Musicians are very welcome to send us videos to feature as well as any news or streaming dates... sheerisolation@gmail.com

CMU’s Andy Malt and Chris Cooke review key events in music and the music business from the last week, including the debate about the use of the word ‘urban’ to categorise music that has seen Republic Records and the Grammys drop or cut back the use of the term, and Twitch’s latest run-in with the music industry. Setlist is sponsored by 7digital. SECTION TIMES 01: The ‘urban’ music debate (00:02:20) 02: Twitch takedowns (00:17:05) STORIES DISCUSSED THIS WEEK • Republic stops using the word ‘urban’ to describe music (https://completemusicupdate.com/article/republic-stops-using-the-word-urban-to-describe-music/) • Grammys update award names and nomination rules in a bid to address racism and corruption accusations (https://completemusicupdate.com/article/grammys-update-award-names-and-nomination-rules-in-a-bid-to-address-racism-and-corruption-accusations/) • Twitch reports sudden “influx” of takedown requests as prolific users hit out a copyright claims and channel ban threats (https://completemusicupdate.com/article/twitch-reports-sudden-influx-of-takedown-requests-as-prolific-users-hit-out-a-copyright-claims-and-channel-ban-threats/) ALSO MENTIONED • CMA demands “clear-cut solution” from Viagogo for its concerns over StubHub deal (https://completemusicupdate.com/article/cma-demands-clear-cut-solution-from-viagogo-for-its-concerns-over-stubhub-deal/) • Black Music Coalition sets out five priorities to tackle discrimination in the UK music industry (https://completemusicupdate.com/article/black-music-coalition-sets-out-five-priorities-to-tackle-discrimination-in-the-uk-music-industry/) • One Little Indian changes name due to “harmful stereotyping and exploitation of indigenous peoples’ culture” (https://completemusicupdate.com/article/one-little-indian-changes-name-due-to-harmful-stereotyping-and-exploitation-of-indigenous-peoples-culture/) • Colston Hall provides update on rebrand after its controversial namesake becomes headline news (https://completemusicupdate.com/article/colston-hall-provides-update-on-rebrand-after-its-controversial-namesake-becomes-headline-news/) • Lady Antebellum change name due to association with slave trade (https://completemusicupdate.com/article/lady-antebellum-change-name-due-to-association-with-slave-trade/) • Gamers debate copyright claims as labels issue takedowns against Twitch (2018 report) (https://completemusicupdate.com/article/gamers-debate-copyright-claims-as-labels-issue-takedowns-against-twitch/) • Amazon upgrades digital locker service (2012 report) (https://completemusicupdate.com/article/amazon-upgrades-digital-locker-service/) MORE FROM CMU • Get notified with the new ‘Dissecting The Digital Dollar’ book is out (https://cmuinsights.com/digitaldollar/) • Sign up to receive the CMU Daily news bulletin (https://completemusicupdate.com/signup/)

Currently studying Music at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, Molly is pursuing her aspiration to become a performing singer-songwriter. Molly went on to solo at numerous gig events including Bristol's well established Colston Hall, Liverpool's Cavern Club, and Glastonbury music festival to name a few.  Her jazzy, soulful undertones combined with a love for RnB makes for an interesting style, unusual to other singer-songwriters of her age.  "My aim is to make my audience feel what I am feeling, transporting them to the body of the composer, to another world, another mind frame, another time. I think this is when music is most powerful, therefore I believe that it is my job to make that happen." 

In this week's episode, RBP's original "house band" pays homage to New Orleans funkmeisters the Meters, enjoys Frances Morgan's 2004 interview with the 22-year-old Joanna Newsom, and listens to the late Buzzy Linhart telling Steve Roeser about Lenny Bruce's 1964 bust at New York's Café au Go Go.Road-weary veterans Mark & Barney saddle up with hip young gunslinger Jasper to explore the Meters' close involvement with Crescent City maestro Allen Toussaint – and the unique grooves of funk classics like 'Cissy Strut' and 'Just Kissed My Baby'. They also savour the prose of Frances Morgan's Newsom profile for Plan B and her meditation on the first four albums by Can.A clip from Roeser's 2008 audio interview with Linhart reveals the cult Greenwich Villager's disdain for Café au Go Go owner Howard Solomon. Unfortunately, an almost equal amount of disdain is meted out to Buzzy's music by Mark & Jasper. Mark then zips through new additions to the RBP library — including Chris Welch's 1966 Melody Maker interview with the Bonzo Dog (Doo-Dah) Band, featuring quotes from the late Neil Innes; Pete Silverton's 1979 Sounds encounter with punk poet John Cooper Clarke; and Loudon & Rufus Wainwright weighing up their paternal/filial issues in 1999 for the benefit of Rolling Stone's Fred Schruers. Jasper discusses a Times live review of Steven "Flying Lotus" Ellison from Bristol's Colston Hall and Pip Williams (and others) getting in questions for One Direction's Harry Styles and Niall Horan in 2015…Pieces discussed: The Meters, The Meterers, The Meterest, Joanna Newsom, Can, Arcade Fire, Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Paul McCartney: Proto-Brexiteer, Johnny Guitar Watson, John Cooper Clarke, Sly & Robbie, Loudon & Rufus Wainwright, The Associates, Teenage Dirtbag, Flying Lotus and One Direction.This show is part of Pantheon Podcasts.

In this week's episode, RBP's original "house band" pays homage to New Orleans funkmeisters the Meters, enjoys Frances Morgan's 2004 interview with the 22-year-old Joanna Newsom, and listens to the late Buzzy Linhart telling Steve Roeser about Lenny Bruce's 1964 bust at New York's Café au Go Go.Road-weary veterans Mark & Barney saddle up with hip young gunslinger Jasper to explore the Meters' close involvement with Crescent City maestro Allen Toussaint – and the unique grooves of funk classics like 'Cissy Strut' and 'Just Kissed My Baby'. They also savour the prose of Frances Morgan's Newsom profile for Plan B and her meditation on the first four albums by Can.A clip from Roeser's 2008 audio interview with Linhart reveals the cult Greenwich Villager's disdain for Café au Go Go owner Howard Solomon. Unfortunately, an almost equal amount of disdain is meted out to Buzzy's music by Mark & Jasper. Mark then zips through new additions to the RBP library — including Chris Welch's 1966 Melody Maker interview with the Bonzo Dog (Doo-Dah) Band, featuring quotes from the late Neil Innes; Pete Silverton's 1979 Sounds encounter with punk poet John Cooper Clarke; and Loudon & Rufus Wainwright weighing up their paternal/filial issues in 1999 for the benefit of Rolling Stone's Fred Schruers. Jasper discusses a Times live review of Steven "Flying Lotus" Ellison from Bristol's Colston Hall and Pip Williams (and others) getting in questions for One Direction's Harry Styles and Niall Horan in 2015…Pieces discussed: The Meters, The Meterers, The Meterest, Joanna Newsom, Can, Arcade Fire, Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Paul McCartney: Proto-Brexiteer, Johnny Guitar Watson, John Cooper Clarke, Sly & Robbie, Loudon & Rufus Wainwright, The Associates, Teenage Dirtbag, Flying Lotus and One Direction.The Rock's Backpages podcast is proud to be part of the Pantheon podcast network.

Welcome to How To Build A Music Venue – the podcast series which has a backstage pass to the transformation of Colston Hall in Bristol.In this episode, we're looking at the big and important numbers. Just how many baths could be filled by the concrete poured into the foundations? How many artists do we estimate we've had on stage in our 152 years? If you laid all the bricks used on site end to end, how far would they go?Harriet Robinson chats to project managers and site staff, our House Manager, box office staff and more to get the statistical low down on how the project is progressing.Follow the journey on social media using the hashtag #transformthehallCreditsPresented by Harriet RobinsonProduced by Louise Orchard, 2°WestThank you to the contributors:The staff of Wilmott Dixon and Colston HallDaniel Wood - House ManagerNick Craney – General Manager, Colston HalllSarah Robertson - Director of Communications, Colston HallPhil Castang - Director of Creative Learning and Engagement, Colston HallIsabella Ley - Development Officer, Colston HallFrazer Riches - Technical Services Manager, Colston Hall See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to How To Build A Music Venue – the podcast series which has a backstage pass to the transformation of Colston Hall in Bristol.In this episode, we meet the people who are actually building this thing.Harriet Robinson chats to staff at contractors Willmott Dixon, who have been charged with the task of transforming the Hall into a venue fit for the 21st century. And there are way more jobs involved than you might expect.From construction managers to labourers on the ground, and designers to digital engineers working behind the scenes, this is a snapshot into the variety of roles needed to make this project a reality.What’s more, we get the team to tell us who they’d book for the opening night given the chance, with some interesting suggestions!Follow the journey on social media using the hashtag #transformthehallCreditsPresented by Harriet RobinsonProduced by Louise Orchard, 2°WestThank you to the contributors:Kimberley Sweet-Roberts – Social Value Manager, Willmott DixonRyan Williams – Construction Manager, Willmott DixonBecky Ray – Health and Safety Manager, Willmott DixonLawrence Ashby – Labourer, Willmott DixonMegan Wintersgill – Design Co-ordinator, Willmott DixonKay Jackson – Graphic Designer, Willmott DixonAshdon McFall – Digital Engineer, Willmott DixonFind out more about the transformation: www.colstonhall.org/transformthehall See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 2011 I gave a talk at Bristol Colston Hall, which as someone who had grown up in Bristol, was hallowed ground. The talk opens with a Captain Beefheart anecdote I am rather fond of.

Welcome to Episode 13 of the Global Drum Network podcast. This time we have not one, not two, but THREE drummers for your delight and delectation. We went to the Colston Hall, Bristol, to see all three of them performing onstage together, but only two of them were playing drums on the night. The other is the man whose name is at the top of the bill, the star of the show, Mister PAUL CARRACK. Labelled by the BBC as ‘THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN VOICE’, Paul is not only a highly successful singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist in his own right, but an in-demand session man for a huge list of massive worldwide stars, bands and artists including Eric Clapton, Squeeze, Mike & The Mechanics and many more. No doubt you’ve heard his distinctive, soulful voice on instantly-recognisable hits like ‘The Living Years’, ‘Over my shoulder’ and ‘Tempted’, but did you know that this man of many talents started out on his musical journey as a drummer? Not only that, he’s been playing drums on his own albums for many years now. We get to hear his modest take on his own drumming skills, and of course some of the drumming royalty with whom he’s worked; Steve Gadd, Steve Jordan and Gilson Lavis, to name but a few. Paul also tells us about setting up his own record company after releasing himself from a major label, and the night his whole live show was stolen lock, stock and barrel (including the truck!) while his crew slept just yards away in a hotel. Before that, we also got to shoot the breeze with the two drummers who keep Paul's live band on their toes; Long-time stalwart DEAN DUKES and Paul's son JACK CARRACK. Put your sticks down for a minute, take the weight off your feet ... and always remember; WHATEVER YOU PLAY, PLAY IT WITH PASSION!

Welcome back to our new-look podcast - How To Build A Music Venue - the series which has a backstage pass to the transformation of Colston Hall in Bristol.In this episode, and in the wake of the climate crisis, we look at turbo charging our sustainability ambitions and how the venue can go carbon neutral. That's right, in October 2019 the Hall was the first concert venue in the UK to announce its ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030.Harriet Robinson chats to Rosa Corbishley, Development Director at the Hall, about the ambition, as well as Tim Westwell, co-founder of Pukka Herbs and newly appointed board member who will be championing the creation of a sustainability plan for the Hall. What's more we hear from Emma Bombonato from Sydney Opera House about how they became the first carbon neutral concert venue in the world, and their role as international sustainability advisors to the Hall, and Alex Roberts, Senior Sustainability Manager with the Hall's carbon neutral contractor Willmott Dixon.Follow the journey on social media using the hashtag #transformthehallPresented by Harriet RobinsonProduced by Louise Orchard, 2°WestThank you to the contributors:Rosa Corbishley – Development Director, Bristol Music TrustTim Westwell – Co-founder of Pukka Herbs and BMT Board MemberEmma Bombonato – Environmental Sustainability Manager, Sydney Opera HouseAlex Roberts – Senior Sustainability Manager, Willmott DixonRead the carbon neutrality press announcement here: http://bit.ly/2MhBqdoFind out more about the transformation: www.colstonhall.org/transformthehall See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Step One.Take one music venue in the south west of the UK.Step Two.Carefully remove the artists, stage managers and production staff.(If you haven’t removed the audience by this point, then do so now).Then remove the seats (use the enclosed allen key for this), stage, lighting rig, trusses and PA.Take down the balcony (yep, the whole thing), staircases, doors and dressing rooms.Then remove all the signs, the floor and the roof.Keep going until you have taken everything out.Now remove the name. (Yes, the name).Step Three.Meticulously pack away the historical artefacts and millions of memories, ensuring you hold on to those iconic music moments.Step Four.Stop. Take a step back. What next? How do you build a music venue, almost from scratch?Colston Hall in Bristol is undergoing a multi-million pound transformation, the largest capital programme ever to take place in the south west of the UK.In this podcast series we discuss the highs and lows, the pains, the gains and the complicated decisions we’ve taken as an organisation during this transformation. We also explore the philosophy that envelops this project; one that focuses on inclusion, education and participation, without ever losing sight of the music. Hear from the countless experts driving this renovation forward: acousticians, leading musicians, architects and many, many more…Join us on the journey as we #transformthehall See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why should we teach music in schools? How can music help people with dementia? What has a concert hall got to do with hip-hop?Bristol Music Trust is not only embarking on an ambitious physical transformation of Colston Hall, but is also on a mission to ensure the power of music is shared by everyone. Harriet Robinson chats to Phil Castang, our Director of Learning and Engagement, about the Trust’s role in running the city’s music education hub – responsible for delivering music education through schools and music centres across the city, and the impact that work can have. She also meets Julia Roderick to discuss how over the next two years of transformation, the Hall is developing ambitious new projects that will ensure that young and old alike in Bristol’s communities are able to engage their passion for music, including in settings such as hospitals and libraries. And finally, Harriet meets Solomon O.B, who explains how through the Hall’s Multi-Track programme, he has been supported to develop as a rising spoken-word and hip-hop artist.Presented by Harriet RobinsonProduced by Louise Orchard, 2°WestThank you to the contributors: Phil Castang – Director of Creative Learning and Engagement, Colston HallJulia Roderick – Community, Learning & Volunteering, Colston HallSolomon O.B – MusicianFurther reading: The power of music: Vicky McClure’s dementia choir https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-48124591Find out more about Bristol Plays Music, our music education hub, here: https://www.bristolplaysmusic.org/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to the podcast – our series that gets backstage and under the floor boards of the largest capital arts programme ever to take place in the South West. Over the next two years, Colston Hall will undergo a multi-million transformation that will ensure Bristol has a world class concert venue of international significance at the heart of the city.In this first episode, we discuss one of the most important aspects of the transformation – ensuring the new auditorium sounds amazing. Every decision about the new hall is being made with the venue’s acoustics in mind and making sure that how the hall sounds is always being considered in the design and build process.We talk to journalists, conductors, building managers and of course acousticians about what goes into making a concert hall sound astonishing. --Presented by Harriet RobinsonProduced by Julia Hayball and Louise Orchard, 2degreeswest--Thank you to the contributors:Oliver Condy – Editor of BBC Music MagazineEmily McGeehin – Acoustician at Sound Space VisionCharles Hazlewood – Founder of The British ParaorchestraNick Craney – General Manager of Colston HallFind out more about our transformation here: https://www.colstonhall.org/transform-the-hall/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

At the start of Filmic 2018 – Watershed's annual exploration of the creative connections between film and music – this months podcast looks at some of the films coming up and the central role that music plays in film.Mark Cosgrove, Watershed Cinema Curator, and film journalist Sean Wilson discuss the essence of a good film score and how, citing examples of classic collaborations between directors and composers, music can enhance the emotional truth of a film.They also look forward to this month's season of suspense themed Sunday brunches and two live orchestra and screening performances of masterful scores with Jaws and Raiders of the Lost Ark at Colston Hall.

Goldfrapp's Will Gregory is centre-stage at the Colston Hall in Bristol to tell Matthew Parris why he feels a kinship with Irish writer Flann O'Brien whose books 'At Swim-Two-Birds' and 'The Third Policeman' are now hailed as literary masterpieces but which only came to prominence after the author's death. Carol Taaffe, who has written about Flann, helps make sense of the man who wrote under three pseudonyms - Brian O'Nolan, Flann O'Brien, and Myles na gCopaleen. They look more closely at the novels and newspaper column he wrote alongside his job in the Civil Service, whilst maintaining a steady presence in Dublin's pubs. Will reads extracts he believes illustrate the brilliance with which O'Brien slips between realism and surrealism, and Carol sheds light on who said that 'At Swim-Two-Birds' "....was just the book to give your Sister if she's a loud dirty boozy girl." Producer: Toby Field.

From 2020, Bristol's Colston Hall will change its name - the venue wants to disassociate itself from the 17th century slave trader and philanthropist Edward Colston. Here I share some of my thoughts on the renaming in a mini audio essay.

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Colston Hall Bristolis. Helgi Erilaid

Colston Hall Bristolis. Helgi Erilaid

Libby Purves meets pianist Nicholas McCarthy; actor and director Clarke Peters; shepherdess Amanda Owen and chef and restaurateur Raymond Blanc. Nicholas McCarthy is a pianist who is making his debut at London's Purcell Room at Southbank Centre. Born without his right hand, he went on to study at the Royal College of Music and is the only one-handed pianist to graduate from the institution. At his concert he will perform a wide variety of repertoire including Chopin, Bach, Strauss, Liszt and Gershwin to showcase both his virtuosic and mainstream appeal. Nicholas McCarthy performs at the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, London. Clarke Peters is an actor, singer, writer and director. His many roles have included Lester Freamon in TV's The Wire and Othello alongside Dominic West's Iago. Clarke performed in the original Paris production of Hair and wrote and starred in the award-winning production of Five Guys Named Moe. He is the narrator in the Louis Armstrong Story at the Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival, reading excerpts from Armstrong's autobiography and letters. The Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival is at Colston Hall, Bristol. Amanda Owen is a shepherdess who tends her flock of just over 1,000 sheep at Ravenseat, a hill farm of 2,000 acres at the head of Swaledale in North Yorkshire. In her book, The Yorkshire Shepherdess, she tells of how a rebellious girl from Huddersfield learnt her craft as a shepherdess and how she juggles the demands of her livestock with the demands of raising a large family in such a remote area. The Yorkshire Shepherdess is published by Pan Macmillan. Raymond Blanc OBE is a chef, restaurateur and writer. His new book Kew On A Plate and its accompanying TV series tell the story of his collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to create a new kitchen garden. The garden celebrates the heritage and botany of popular plants and reveals their growing and cooking secrets. Born in eastern France, Raymond arrived in the UK in 1972. Five years later he opened his first restaurant which went on to win two Michelin stars. Kew on a Plate with Raymond Blanc - Recipes, Horticulture and Heritage is published by Headline. Producer: Paula McGinley.