Yes we can

For those of you who are just reading this blog. The update is in reference to The Queen's Suite which is now on Kickstarter to raise the finishing funds. We have until the end of August.

"Yes we can" was a response to the question recently posted by TY, "can we achieve this?"

The slogan "Yes we can" captured the hearts and imaginations of the American nation and non-Americans alike. When Obama was elected, the three words signified more then change. The acclaimed literary genius Dr. Maya Angelou, is for me, the best person to explain what the words meant.

"In a climate where all men and women are known to be equals, "yes I can" speaks for the brahmin in Boston and the theologian in Nashville, Tennessee. It speaks for the rabbi at the hall of tolerance in Los Angeles and it speaks for the imam in the largest mosque in the United States. It speaks for us all."

"Yes we can" in it's simplest sense means an "equality of togetherness." And the person, who for many, understood this more then others is Rev Dr. Martin Luther King. Within "I have a dream" is the notion of an "equality of togetherness" but there is also the idea that "yes, we can dream, and imagine something greater that enables us to be the best we can be".

Reading TY's posts, it feels as though he is harnessing and sharing the imaginative power within both statements.

He's not the only one.

The wonderful Adam Sieff has been busy updating people and tweeting.

Last night Lorraine from Black Filmmaker was in contact to say, "I will be promoting and profiling the film as one being supported by BFS" and she said, "If you have a trailer, as we're in pre-launch mode we can broadcast on GMWTV."

A producer was moved to phone, telling me that the images of an "equality of togetherness" inspired her.

Today Donna M from Elements of Jazz emailed to say the Queen's Suite story was on her blog. Donna M has also tweeted it, Check it out ☞ "The Queen's Suite" - A young Jazz musician's dream to play to the Queen of England. http://goo.gl/fb/hSZ4E and it was also sent to her facebook.

Whilst a few days ago AllAboutJazz published an article about how and why the doc was made.
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php...

Peter wrote to let me know he had spoken about The Queen's Suite in an interview. NKECHI said, "There is also a fascinating documentary “The Queens Suite”about your journey of discovery with the work of Duke Ellington, How did this journey begin?"

You can read his reply on the link below.
http://litandspoken.southbankcentre.co.uk/

A friend I havn't seen in about 6 years emailed to say she had received an email from another source. She remembered me writing in the kitchen of her conference centre, many years ago. Her email brought back warm memories. The Pierian centre, in Bristol, also has the philosophy of an "equality of togetherness" and attracts and welcomes people from many backgrounds.

I have written in the centre, danced, sang, eaten and meditated there. One person stated, “We love the centre that you have created for its atmosphere of peacefulness, tranquillity and beauty as well as being very stimulating, vibrant and life-filled." Her words, illustrate the nature of the centre and brings to life the quality of the people who enable the centre to be such a wonderful place. It was lovely to receive her email and her good wishes for the doc.

And I nearly forgot, another friend based in Scotland, a writer, painter and academic, who I havn't heard from for a while, wrote and offered a cinema or two to use. As well as the cinemas he sent his love and good wishes.

As I write, Peter, has just sent me an update of an email he is sending to all his friends. Included in the email is the write-up I did on his dad, Eddy, who is 72, and who has been out and about collecting, the piano vid Peter made to raise awareness of the doc and other tasty morsels.

So with such great support and good vibes all I can add to TY's question, "Can we achieve this?" is "YES WE CAN" because the truth of the documentary and the integrity of everyone involved (I'm talking about you :-) big smile) is inspiring folks to share, pledge, give suggestions, pledge, and share again.

Here is a link to a woman who has made incredible changes. Patsy Mink ran for President of the USA. She was an incredible woman, she once said, "I've run many times, and I've lost many times, but I've never given up feeling I as an individual, and you as an individual, can make a difference." http://www.youtube.com/watch...

I've also attached a rare photo of the great Rev Dr. Martin Luther King. For many his dreaming was the power that enabled, in the face of severe aggression and racism, another moment in contemporary history where an "equality of togetherness" was realised.

As for me I know I am able to make this documentary and write because of the actions of those who came before me. As Dr. Maya Angelou said, "Black, white, asian, all ethnicities, women, men, straight, gay, small, large, road-cleaner, house-wife, politician, girl, boy, writer, singer, artist, and filmmaker. All people's have been part of the imaginative and cultural process."

So let's continue to dream, tweet, talk, facebook, pledge, and share.

THANKYOU for being involved and coming on this journey. BIG HUGS and electronic SMILES coming your way.

Join us and find more about Kickstarter here http://kck.st/cbGGo1

Corine

Duke Ellington meets the Queen

I felt it was time to share with you the story behind how the legend Duke Ellington met with the Queen and was then inspired to write The Queen's Suite.

The following extract is taken from Peter's dissertation.

The Leeds Music Festival was a triennial event begun in 1858 to celebrate the opening of the Leeds Town Hall. Queen Victoria was guest of honour and it was proposed that a music festival be organised to mark the event.

George Lacelles, The Earl of Harwood and cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, became the musical director of the Leeds Music Festival in 1958 and wanted to make the centenary a grand royal affair. Once he had confirmation that the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh would join in the celebrations he set about programming for the event.

Lord Harewood was a keen jazz fan and wanted the programme to reflect the music of the times. It was his brother, the music critic Gerald Lascelles, who first suggested the Duke Ellington orchestra, and once they had agreed Lord Harewood set about booking the band.

To mark the end of the Centenary of the Leeds Music Festival the Mayor of Leeds had organised a gala reception on the 18th October 1958. The Queen and Prince Philip were to be guests of honour. The royal party had arrived in Leeds on the 17th October and after performing royal duties, arrangements had been made for them to attend some of the concerts at the festival.

The Duke Ellington Orchestra had two shows scheduled on 18th October 1958 at the Odeon Theatre in the city centre. There were two performances scheduled at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

The Queen was not able to attend the performances, however, Prince Philip, accompanied by British composer Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), attended the afternoon performance. The Prince arrived late to the performance unannounced in order to keep a low profile.

Later that evening Duke Ellington was invited to join other distinguished performers and composers who featured in the festival, to the mayor’s reception at Leeds Civic Hall.

Ellington arrived in a limousine dressed in white tie and tails and showered the waiting crowds outside the hall with kisses.

After a round of speeches, the group invited to meet the royal party were assembled in a line. Ellington was at the end of the line and the Queen spoke at length with him. Duke wrote about being presented to this royal party:

"The tension in one respect was while waiting in the entrance. You are astonished by the applause and then struck speechless by the grace of the beautiful Queen, followed by HRM Prince Philip, the Princess Royal, the Earl of Harewood, and the Hon. Gerald Lascelles. H.M’s (Her Majesty’s) general tone reflects the contentment of a normally happy married life, in contradiction of all the rumors and accounts of monarchs, which restores your faith in people as people. A handsome couple with careers. Two young people trying to get along.

Then when it happens, and you are presented by Lord Harewood, H.M. with an air of understanding calms your tuned up nerves, your knees stop knocking and your feeling of insecurity is gone, and you say to yourself “So it was not necessary to take that tranquilizer after all”. Then I think of all the things I should have said, if I could only have gotten my feet on the ground.

Duke Ellington spoke with the Queen for a few minutes and then with Prince Philip. She had expressed her disappointment in not being able to attend the concert but she told Ellington that Prince Philip had enjoyed seeing the performance. Ellington’s reply would sow the seed for what would become ‘The Queen’s Suite’.

She was great. She told me she was sorry she couldn’t see the concert herself. I told her that meeting her made me feel tremendously inspired, and I must write something to mark the occasion. I haven’t got anything down but I’m sure it will come. He (Prince Philip) was most complementary. He told me his only disappointment was that he had missed ‘Take the A train’. He said it was his favourite number.

In a 1961 interview Ellington is directly links the meeting with the Queen to the conception of ‘The Queen’s Suite.’ "I told her that she [Queen Elizabeth II] was so inspiring and that something musical would come out of it. She said she would be listening, so I wrote an album for her."

Ellington also had the opportunity to speak about his long association with the Royal Family

"As a matter of fact I was the last person on line and she was sort of relaxed when she got to me, and we talked about her family, her father King George, her uncle Prince Edward and the Duke of Kent, whom I had an occasion to meet. The Duke of Kent and I used to play four-hand at the piano at night, and Prince Edward was at several parties at which we played when we were there is 1933. Then one night, we had to hold the show for him in Liverpool. At another party he sat in on drums…. Then she told me about all the records of mine her father had. The she asked me when was your first time in England? Oh I said, oh my first time in England was in 1933, way before you were born. She gave me a real American look; very cool man, which I thought was too much."

Upon his return from the reception Ellington gave an account of what he had just experienced:

"I got stage fright-first time in my life. Couldn’t think of a thing to say. She’s wonderful! She did ask me now long it was since I last brought a band to England. I told her before she was born – twenty five years ago. That made the Prince laugh."

Despite his nerves, the Queen and prince seemed to be at ease in Ellington’s company. It is clear that meeting with the Queen had a profound effect on Ellington. It would inspire him to write a suite in her honour.

The suite is in six movements. The first movement is ‘Sunset and the Mockingbird,’ here Ellington captures the beauty and simplicity of a birdcall. The second movement is ‘Lightning Bugs and Frogs,’ a musical depiction of fireflies and croaking frogs. This is followed by the epic ‘Northern lights’ which was inspired by a natural light display the orchestra witnessed whilst on tour in Canada. The tempo is slowed down with ‘Single petal of a Rose,’ a piano and double bass section, which is followed by the romantic ‘Le Sucrier Velours,’ a movement led by the saxophone section. The suite ends with the explosive ‘Apes and Peacocks.’

Here's a link to Le Sucrier Velours sent to me from a friend in the States. Duke Ellington performs it alone, which is very different to how the TMJO (Tomorrow's Warriors Jazz Orchestra) performs it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Enjoy and THANK YOU for supporting The Queen's Suite, it's wonderful. Knowing you are there helps my feet do the walking, my fingers do the typing and my face SMILE.

And for those of you who want to find out more go to

http://kck.st/cbGGo1   Thanks Corine

Dad's Pride and an Inspiration to us all.

Speaking yesterday to Peter, I was told that his 72 year old dad has decided to spread the word about The Queen's Suite on Kickstarter to his friends, family and old work colleagues with a clip-board and pen in hand.

Augustine, George, Edwards, known as Eddy to some and Errol to old friends and family migrated to England from Grenada in the 60's. Settling in Ladbroke Grove for nine months he then moved to Mile End, Wembley and finally settled in Harrow in the 70s, where the family home has been ever since.

Eddy has a dry sense of humour, an all-encompassing smile and an immense sense of pride in his four children, of whom, Peter is the youngest. His love for his children and his wife, Sandrene, who he married in 1974 is evident.

His generosity extends to his children's friends. On the night before the last performance, I turned up late at the Edward's residence, equipment in hand to be collected by Eddy in his builders car.

The car is an extension of Eddy. Inside are clumps of earth, he is an avid gardener, the carrots, red potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, onions, leeks, aubergines, parsnips, and green beans grown in his garden are shared amongst friends and family.

Before retirement he worked as an electrician for BT, and he now works as a semi-retired electrician.

I was both humbled and inspired when Peter told me his dad had decided to collect funds for The Queen's Suite.

I spoke to him today to ask him how he was collecting funds. Eddy said,

'I've got my poster and I go and talk to people about it and ask them what they think, people I know. It's about how you approach people. Some people are not very interested, but I don't mind. I like talking about it and I talk to some people I know in the street, not everyone, just the people I know.

I'm going to ask my sister to help me and some of my friends too. I've got a list of names. A friend gave me £5 for him and £5 for his wife so I'm making a list of people. It's important to keep the names because one day we can put them to the Arts Council and maybe they might help us. You never know. I'm going to keep on trying.'

When I told Eddy we had 50 days he said, '50 days, well that's ok, plenty of time, we'll keep on trying.'

Oddly I am reminded of Billy Elliot's dad and friends, pooling together to enable Billy to realise his dream.

Eddy and his family and friends are far removed from Billy Elliot's fictional dad, relatives and family.

But both men and communities real and fictionalized have an immense sense of pride in their sons and will do their utmost to enable their dreams to become a reality.

EDDY IS AN INSPIRATION.

And a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who is supporting the Queen's Suite.

Visit us at http://kck.st/cbGGo1 we have some great 

goodies for everyone.

Corine

A note on tweet and how jazz (music) democratizes.

It's Sunday the sunshine is glorious, Bob Wilber is swinging on Spotify and I'm putting the finishing touches to an article for Films and Festivals.

There's been quite a bit of activity.

Adam, one of the wonderful members of Dune has started tweeting The Queen's Suite.

I've stayed away from the tweeting culture, primarily because I have been directing during the day and editing long into the wee hours of the morning.

Mornings one could normally find me at 0500 sitting in the garden and drinking a mug of Japanese gun powder tea, (now known as 'editor's tea as it keeps one awake) and smelling the roses after a long nights edit.

The outcome, a trailer and an offline edit waiting to go into post and the hands of the professionals, John and Frank. I also have one eye that now looks like a football. I call it the Tony Blair syndrome, recalling how one of Tony Blair's eyes became acutely pained looking.

Whilst the midnight oil is burning, Adam has been tweeting.

The power of tweeting dawned on me the other day when I received an email from Vince the director of Jazz and Blues TV.

He had read Adam's tweet and was really excited about the project. Could we speak?

Half an hour later I was chatting to Vince, a very friendly guy, with lots of ideas. He wanted to send the word out to the States, because he as me, Adam and you, wants to see the project succeed.

Who in the States could help? A jazz blogger who has a substantial following. She blogs and tweets under the name Donna M. Her blog is called Elementals.

Vince tweeted her, then called me to let me know the 140 letters tweet was sent.

Being somewhat not clued in to tweet, or the etiquette of tweeting, my initial thought was 140 letters, that's not much.

So I checked out Elementals and sent Donna M, the woman who set up Elementals a hello message.

The blog, by Donna M is a truly creative project which was in part triggered by the death of Donna's close friend.

Donna M says, 'I immersed myself into the world of jazz in late 2006. That was my way of dealing with the unexpected death of a dear friend. Jazz was the music that he adored. I began listening to and reading about it 24/7/365. What was initially a therapeutic process turned into a passion.

I decided to launch the EoJ website to explore new music with you, learn about the musicians & vocalists, and to blog about jazz shows & festivals. There is a vibrant, sexy world of jazz out there. Want to find out more about it? Let's find out about it together.'

Donna M is right, there is a vibrant, sexy world of jazz out there and it has enabled people to be the best that they can be, take courage, democratise, draw strength and come together.

The photo is of Nathaniel and Ellie who are part of the trombone section. The orchestra is enabling issues associated with race and gender to be quietly challenged. Just by seeing people playing together, we are asked to rethink race and gender. It is a great example of how jazz (music) democratises.

So to all you tweeters thank you, let's keep on tweeting.

Thanks to everyone who is supporting the Queen's Suite.

Have a great day.

Corine

You make me SMILE

You sure do 'make me smile.'

I have a cheshire cat beam that starts from my toes and goes up to my nose.

Thank you for all of your support. There is one woman I'd like to say a particular thank you to. And no, it isn't my mum, who has supported me throughout the project. Thanks mum, big hugs and love.

No, it's Joan, also known as 'inflatables.'

There is always another story, and that is the making of the film.

A week and a half before the final weeks big shoot, I was in a panic. I didn't have an extra camera nor a camera person or any money to pay anyone. I had a rehearsal to shoot which needed two cameras, an interview, and a performance, which needed five cameras and camera people.

I was chatting about the lack of cameras online to a friend in Romania who suddenly said, 'George has a camera.' Within a few moments George was preparing to fly to England and I was talking to my flat-mate about the possibility of sharing her room.

Two days later Joan, or 'inflatables,' turned up with a rubber bed for me to sleep on. George stayed in my room, and my flat-mate's once 'shi-shi' room turned into a girl's dorm / production unit.

Filming took up all of the week, ending with a spectacular performance Saturday night, (for the performance the production company had hired four cameras, I had found three people to film, whilst a colleague worked as the sound recordist).

Sunday, George and I began to upload the tapes. The cameras were being collected at exactly 10.00 Monday morning. I had calculated that if we started uploading at 1400, (I had to buy another fire-wire), and I continued throughout the night then I could do it.

The problem I faced was not having anything to upload tapes with. Once the cameras were gone I would have to pay to hire out more equipment to upload. Being penniless and with deadlines coming the most obvious solution was to work through the night.

George and I started to upload the tapes. At 2300 I moved my mac into my flat-mate's room, next to my rubber bed, and continued to upload throughout the night. At 0700 I gave George a sleepy hug as he set off, back to Romania.

A few hours later, I had uploaded my tapes, the taxi came to collect the cameras, and George was on his flight home. I then returned to my room and said good-bye to the rubber bed, passing out for two days.

Joan thank you for the rubber-bed, Noams, thanks for the shared dorm, and George thanks for filming.

And everyone who has pledged, sent messages, and who have put the film out there thank you, because like I said 'you make me smile.'

The roses are holding, the fuschia pinks are sublime, and I am going to enjoy their display in the cooling night.

Until tomorrow, Corine.

The Queen's Suite has launched on Kickstarter

Hi everyone.

Just a few hours ago the documentary The Queen's Suite launched on Kickstarter.

Kickstarter is an American initiative which enables creatives to pitch their idea on the site and raise funds for their project.

I'm based in London, but the co-producer, Jay D, lives in LA, so he was able to help me set up the site.

There was much shouting across the waters via the wonders of skype when we hit the green button.

I do have butterflies in my stomach especially as we have 60 days (until the end of August) to raise the finishing funds.

To date it's been 18 months working on the documentary with no funding. What a journey, and to imagine this time last year I had lost my room because I couldn't afford to pay my rent and I was sleeping in a friend's music studio and editing! That's a typical filmmakers story!

Whilst now I have square eyes from editing! Now I have a lovelier room, which looks onto a garden. So that's great. 

As some of you know, I did try to raise the funds in the UK but to no avail. So as one Hollywood producer once said, 'next.' And for the next stage I was advised to put the project onto Kickstarter.

How it works is people donate a pledge, from as little as $3 (£2) and in return they get a gift.

I've organised some great gifts such as lunch at the exclusive hospital in London with one of England's leading documentary executive producers, or a half day session (5 hours) at Premises studios with an engineer. The studio is where Lily Allen and the Arctic Monkeys record and it's a great place to be. There are other gifts to.

Please visit us at Kickstarter and please support us either by donating or spreading the word.http://www.kickstarter.com/e/VvCOv/projects/2063865364/the-queens-suite-a-young-jazz-musicians-dream-to-p

This is really the best opportunity we will have to raise the finishing funds and it's fun. The wonderful part about this is that with your help the story of Peter and TMWJO has the opportunity to go worldwide. 

Thanks and all the best,

Corine