Abram Wilson Foundation

Well, we have arrived back from the Motherland! Back in London to prepare for the next run of gigs. Our last day ended on with some sightseeing, some great food, some cool new people, and Reuben drinking the tap water in Ghana. Needless to say, my man came very close to getting really sick, but quick thinking Susan Amegashie (a lady whom we met the previous night), her father's medical clinic and the incredible staff at The Golden Tulip Hotel led by their manager, Xavier, were able to get Reuben medical treatment quickly and stll make the flight back home. It was quite a scare. But I'm sure you'll be able to see the great excitement inprinted on Reuben's face when he found it actually wasn't malaria. That calls for a drink!

Today - my fifth and final full day in Accra, Ghana and my first day off,  I finally got time to do some other things besides meetings and work. After giving a trumpet lesson to Joana, one of the local trumpeters in Accra, I had a huge breakfast and went out to meet Susan Amegashie, the founder of a magazine called African Woman in London who also started a Montesori school in Accra where she lives today . She’s a very interesting lady who know Miles Davis’s relatives in California. Man, she had some great stories and we had some good laughs. I also hung out with the guys a bit and bumped into several people who came to the gig at the hotel so we took a few pictures together in passing. In the evening, we went out to Club 233 where there was a jam session. It was a good day in Accra.

We had a great gig last night as we did a tribute to Miles Davis in Accra Ghana at The Golden Tulip Hotel. It was completely sold out! Many couldn't get a seat because of overcrowding. I sincerely apoligize to all those who came out and couldn't get a table. I can let you know that it was an incredible gig and I will definitely be coming back to Accra for a jazz festival in October this year. Leading up to the gig wasn't easy but it was definitely worth all the logistical issues we all had to endure throughout the day. It was fantastic meet several people who knew Miles personally. The community here has totally embraced me and the band and I can tell you they love their jazz music out here as we were not going anywhere unless we gave that encore. Big thanks to the Reuben, Alex, and Frank as well as Alain and Sonia and the entire crew who helped to make the gig a complete success!

It's my third day in Ghana! I managed to go for a run on a rainy morning and took some pictures of a few sites along the way like the lady who balanced 10 watermelons on her head for almost ½ a mile. In and out of meetings but I managed to meet some cool people along the way. . .  like Lala -  a volunteer english and science teacher from Berlin, PY – a ghanain tv presenter on a tv show called The One Show, and Prince Church – a ghanain producer and a serious dancer! (I managed to get him to show me some moves.) The biggest news of today of course is the arrival of bassist – Alex Davis, and pianist – Reuben James. They definitely got a serious dose of Ghanain life on their first night here in Accra.

 

I had another very exciting day in Ghana. Again, it was very busy. This morning I was introduced to members of Alain's (the promotor) festival committee. We had breakfast together and spoke about the logistics of the gig as well as the happenings of the day before taking a few pictures together. I then went to rehearse with Frank Kessi again for a much more intense rehearsal than yesterday to get ready for Friday's gig at the Golden Tulip Hotel. I also had time to chat with some local musicians as well as take some photos with journalist, Akpene Avor who was at the press conference yesterday, Frank's wife, Belinda stopped by the rehearsal so I had to take a few shots of the two of them together afterwards. Time flew by today and in no time at all, it was dark outside. I took a few more pictures with promoter, Alain Armand before we left for a dinner with the sponsors of the gig at a high profile club in Accra where I met the owner LG Electronics, the ambassador to France, the owner of Western Union in Accra, the owner of Novetel Hotels and a host of vocalists and friends in the Accra community. All mention of the excitement surrounding the gig on Friday.  I am excited because Alex Davis (doublebass) and Reuben James (piano) will arrive on Thursday evening. They're gonna love this!

Today I had a very busy day. I had breakfast with Alain, the promoter to discuss the itinerary for the day. I also met with drummer, Frank Kessi backstage before his own show during the day to have a brief discussion about the festivities on Friday. He and I had a nice little jam with trumpet and drum set at his soundcheck. I also met some new friends from Camaroon as well as some local musicians from the area. One Ghanain played this amazing wooden flute. Another guitar player from Camaroon (with the red t-shirt) could play some serious bebop! The guys from Camaroon performed not too far away from my hotel at the same time I did the press conference! We had some good laughs backstage and plan to hang out on Friday.

I am off to Accra, Ghana this week to perform a tribute to Miles Davis. Fellow musicians Alex Davis - double bass and Reuben James - piano will joining me Thursday along with Ghannain drummer, Frank Kessi. This should be very exciting as well as musically uplifting!

I have just agreed to perform PHILIPPA at Spice of Life on August 25th at 8pm. The night features new music I've written based on the mix raced Harlem born piano prodigy, Philippa Schuyler. Limited seating is available as well as a recording of PHILIPPA to be released as an unedited limited edition.

There will be one show only so get your tickets now, and arrive early! Ticket information is at 020 7437 7013.

We had an excellent show at Kings Place as we presented Life Paintings and Singing Pictures, an exciting collaboration with photos by Ben Amure and artwork by Sheila Maurice-Grey. It was a group effort that in addition to the incredible musicianship of rising stars - Reuben James on piano, Alex Davis on bass and Dave Hamblett on drums, a dedicated staff at Kings Place whose audio visual technology, lighting design, and stage presentation skills made the art work as stellar as the music. A BIG thankyou to the team at Kings Place for making the show such a great success and to all those who came to the gig and purchased copies of the unedited limited edition of Singing Pictures, a handmade package by Larry Hart and wife Judy of cd and artwork that almost sold out! Details of where you can purchase the last 4 Singing Pictures to come soon. Meanwhile, check out these great photos of the night by Ben Amure.