Hannah Sterry

Hannah Sterry: Jazz Flautist

| Hannah Sterry

Performing

I’m an experienced jazz and classically trained flautist regularly performing with a variety of local and visiting musicians (see Live Music & Events). Most recently I’ve played with Hamer & Isaacs gypsy swing band and The Sterrys as well as being involved with a number of local events, including Malborough Amateur Dramatics Pantomime and Hope for Howard. I am also available to perform solo on the harp.

Recording

I have recorded a short selection of relaxed pieces, all available for free download.

Testimonials

“As a professional musician for nearly four decades, I have been very impressed by Hannah Sterry’s contribution to our gypsy swing band as a deputy flautist over the last few months. She has deputised at short notice for both our lead guitarist and swing violinist, not easy roles to fill, and I have been awed by her levels of competence and creativity. Her improvisational techniques display an intuitive flair and inspiration well beyond her years, and she exhibits the stage presence expected in a seasoned veteran. I would heartily endorse her as a flautist to any potential employers, whether in the fields of jazz, rock or classical music.” ~ Julian Isaacs of Hamer & Isaacs Gypsy Swing Band

“[Hannah] is a brilliant musician and I love working with her in the gypsy swing band. Her flute solos inspire me to up my game!” ~ Melanie Scullion B.A Hons.P.G Cert. P.G Dip.Perf. Professional violinist, violist and peripatectic music teacher.

Contact Me

Feel free to ask any questions or have a friendly chat online using the contact form, tweet @HannahSterry or comment on this blog!

If you like, you can also follow my musical adventure on facebook on the Hannah Sterry Music page.

Hope to hear from you soon! 🙂

Gallery

Here are a selection of images from performances around South Devon. The pencil sketch is thanks to Jazz Greenhill.

Hamer & Isaacs live at the Millbrook Inn, South Pool. Photo Credit: timhirstphotography.com
This amazing picture is by Jazz Greenhill. She’s awesome and has a really cool blog over here: http://jazzgillustration.blogspot.co.uk/
The Sterrys live in Hope Cove.
The Sterrys live at The Cottage Hotel
Flautist Hannah Sterry performing jazz flute for The Cottage Hotel’s Summer Music Nights in Hope Cove, Devon.
Ansa Back: Telling Jokes Behind Amy’s Back – Photography © Mark L Jones
Hope for Howard Event on Kingsbridge Bandstand. Hannah Sterry on flute. Image copyright 2013 Mark L Jones.

Gypsy Swing at the Red Lion in Newquay

Hannah Sterry playing jazz flute with Hamer & Isaacs gypsy swing band at The Red Lion Newquay in Cornwall.
| Hannah Sterry

Recently, I was lucky enough to perform with half of Hamer & Isaacs gypsy swing band at the Red Lion in Newquay and thought I’d share my favourite moments from the evening with you, so here goes…

 

5 favourite moments from The Red Lion gig:

  1. Performing music with some wonderful people and smiling through every minute!
  2. Howard Kahn‘s (bassist) brief moment of crazy dancing to club music in the interval. I’m sure he’ll demonstrate if you ask him *very* nicely. 😛
  3. Hearing Dave Jones‘ amazing guitar skills!
  4. Becky Brine‘s nacho cheese jokes and very realistic Donald Duck impression!
  5. The girl with super-long dreadlocks and her friend’s really enthusiastic dancing. ‘Twas brillig!

 

There were a few things that surprised me, although they were mainly to do with the lack of Anchorman jazz flute and Jethro Tull mentions.

 

If you’d like to listen to more gypsy swing or download one of Hamer & Isaacs live albums, here’s the link along with some photos from the gig:

Hamer & Isaacs gypsy swing band and special guests at The Red Lion Newquay in Cornwall.
Becky Brine fronting the band with her amazing vocals! Hamer & Isaacs gypsy swing band and special guests at The Red Lion Newquay in Cornwall.
Howard Kahn performing on electric upright bass with Hamer & Isaacs gypsy swing band at The Red Lion Newquay in Cornwall.
Mel Brindle on violin with Hamer & Isaacs gypsy swing band and special guests at The Red Lion Newquay in Cornwall.
Hamer & Isaacs gypsy swing band and special guests at The Red Lion Newquay in Cornwall.
Julian Isaacs performing with Hamer & Isaacs gypsy swing band and special guests at The Red Lion Newquay in Cornwall.
Dave Jones performing lead guitar with Hamer & Isaacs gypsy swing band at The Red Lion Newquay in Cornwall.
Hannah Sterry playing jazz flute with Hamer & Isaacs gypsy swing band at The Red Lion Newquay in Cornwall.

Follow my amusing musical journey on Twitter / Facebook / Sterry Cartoons

Hamer and Isaacs Logo Design

Hamer & Isaacs logo by Hannah Sterry. Hamer & Isaacs play volcanic, swinging gypsy jazz. Whilst portraying the influence of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France, the unique addition of Rosie Corlett's soaring, flaming vocals is guarenteed to turn the thermostat up a notch. Rich Hamer (lead guitar) provides cut, thrust, panache and inspiration, and Mel Brindle Scullion (swing violin) utilises her impeccable classical pedigree to lend virtuosity to the flair of her improvisation. Julian Isaacs (rhythm guitar), a veteran of the gypsy jazz scene for over three decades, and the animated and vivacious lines of Howard Kahn (double bass) provide the driving force that is the rhythm section. Hamer & Isaacs Gypsy Swing Band are available as a guitar duo, an instrumental or vocal trio, or as a full quintet. Set the controls for the heart of swing and witness them for yourselves!
| Hannah Sterry

Hamer & Isaacs logo by Hannah Sterry. Hamer & Isaacs play volcanic, swinging gypsy jazz. Whilst portraying the influence of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France, the unique addition of Rosie Corlett's soaring, flaming vocals is guarenteed to turn the thermostat up a notch. Rich Hamer (lead guitar) provides cut, thrust, panache and inspiration, and Mel Brindle Scullion (swing violin) utilises her impeccable classical pedigree to lend virtuosity to the flair of her improvisation. Julian Isaacs (rhythm guitar), a veteran of the gypsy jazz scene for over three decades, and the animated and vivacious lines of Howard Kahn (double bass) provide the driving force that is the rhythm section. Hamer & Isaacs Gypsy Swing Band are available as a guitar duo, an instrumental or vocal trio, or as a full quintet. Set the controls for the heart of swing and witness them for yourselves!

My latest artwork hasn’t had anything to do with Sterry Cartoons. Most recently I’ve been designing this logo for Hamer & Isaacs gypsy swing band. The band have had a number of successes in the South West and London, with performances at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow and upcoming performance at The Royal Albert Hall on March 8th (see their shows page for more information).

Don’t let me carry on though – see for yourselves! Here’s a video from one of their performances at Plymouth Jazz Club!

Hamer & Isaacs play volcanic, swinging gypsy jazz. Whilst portraying the influence of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France, the unique addition of Rosie Corlett’s soaring, flaming vocals is guaranteed to turn the thermostat up a notch.

Let me know what you think, and if you like the music, feel free to head over to the Hamer & Isaacs website for more!

**EDIT**

As of 2015, Hamer & Isaacs has morphed in to two separate groups:

  • Hot Club of Stonehouse
  • Hamer and Co.

Both groups can still be found playing in venues around the South West.

Download “Soundtracks and Silhouettes” Free

Soundtracks & Silhouettes Artwork. Flute and harp music by Hannah Sterry.
| Hannah Sterry

Hello!

I’ve decided to release a few flute pieces (and a short harp cover) on bandcamp! You can download them all for free or, if you really like them, can name your price! Just click below to have a listen and download!

Let me know what you think in the comments! 🙂

Music Cartoon: The Snail Clef

| Hannah Sterry

snail-clef

The Snail Clef – A new cartoon by Hannah Sterry.

Mugs and cards available here: Zazzle UK, Zazzle US.

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Silly misunderstanding of the week:

“Yesterday I was asked to watch the chickens, so I wandered outside. Apparently the one I was meant to watch was already in the oven.”

We have a few broody hens and an escape artist cockerel, so it didn’t seem like a particularly strange request at the time. They probably wouldn’t escape so much if we clipped their wings but that generally only happens shortly after they’ve escaped, eaten all of the seedlings and terrorised the cats.

The chicken in the oven came out with a nice tan! 😛

Hope you like the cartoon! If you’d like to see more, visit Sterry Cartoons facebook page!

Music Cartoon: Aimez-vous l’accent?

Aimez-vous l'accent? - French music cartoon gif by Hannah Sterry
| Hannah Sterry

Earlier today, I found out that one of my cartoons has been shared on facebook over 1000 times, and I’m amused at the thought of that many people seeing it and laughing/groaning simultaneously (I am easily amused), so I’ve decided to make some more.

Today I give you… an animated french music cartoon gif:

Aimez-vous l'accent? - French music cartoon gif by Hannah Sterry

Sterry Cartoons has a facebook page now too (as well as nice new shop on zazzle), so if you’d like to see what I create next, feel free to hit the like button and stalk the creativity! 😛

More silly music cartoons:

Minimalism - Silly, funny, musical cartoon for music geeks, teachers and musicians.

Bass Clef is Feeling Low - Funny Music Cartoon by Hannah Sterry

 

Elusive cartoonist is not so elusive: Twitter | Facebook | Google+

Hopes, Dreams and Designs

Sterry Cartoons T-Shirt Designs
| Hannah Sterry

My ambition, above anything else is to make a living from things that make people smile. It’s why I love music, cartoons, comedy – other people being happy and sharing just a single little moment brings me more happiness than anything else and if I can’t create and share experiences and laughter with other people then I don’t really know what my life is for.

I expect lots of people feel like this but just don’t know how to get to the point where they’re spending the majority of the time doing the thing they love and… that’s ok! I have no idea what I’m doing, but while I’m still in education I’m going to spend my time learning as much as I can about the subjects I love, taking action in testing new ideas, creating new products, promoting myself and aiming high. I hope that if you have similar dreams you can do the same. 🙂

Here are a few of my favourite t-shirt designs so far – you might have seen them before, but I hope they give you a giggle!

Cloud Sheep Shirts
Cute Baby Sheep Tee by Sterry Cartoons

Follow Sterry Cartoons on: Facebook / Google+ / Twitter / Tumblr

All designs ©Sterry Cartoons 2012. All rights reserved.

If you’d like to license any of the above images, contact me via hannah@hannahsterry.com to discuss details.

The List of Exciting Things!

New facebook page exclusively for my music.
| Hannah Sterry
New facebook page exclusively for my music.
Hannah Sterry Music is now on facebook!

If you’re here for the musical goings-on, you might want to head over to the facebook page, which I’ll be updating with new compositions, photos and all of my musical activity!

There are lots of things to look forward to in the next few months, so here’s a quick list of everything that’s happening!

~ The List of Exciting Things ~


July 28th
It’s my birthday (I’m getting old)! Come and celebrate with me at the Barbican Rhythm & Blues Festival in Plymouth.

July 30th
The Sterrys play jazz at The Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove from 6:45pm. Free entry, amazing view and the food is delicious!

August 4-11th
A million family things. I’m all over the place.

August 13th
More jazz at The Cottage Hotel!

August 17-25th
Activity week at PGL Barton Hall. I’ll be abseiling, kayaking, fencing, raft building etc. and hope to return with a giant sports photography portfolio.

August 27th
The Sterrys play jazz at The Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove from 6:45pm. Another night for delicious cocktails, light music and amazing sunsets over the sea.

September 6th
Playing jazz on a boat (as part of The Sterrys jazz trio)! Sadly it’s a private party, but if any of you feel like hiring some musicians for your boat, you know who to call. 

September 7th
I’ll be guesting with Hamer & Isaacs Gypsy Swing Band at Red Lion Newquay from 9:30pm.

September 14th
Private party with Ansa Back.September 24th
Seeing Bill Bailey at Plymouth Pavilions! Yay! 😀

That last one is a treat. I’ve never actually seen a live comedy show before, so it’ll be a first for me! 🙂

Summertime: The world-jazz-funk-fusion version!

Smiling Music Face Hoddie - Music gifts by Hannah Sterry
| Hannah Sterry
Music makes me happy!

It’s scary posting music in a public space, but this afternoon I decided to record a world-jazz-funk-fusion version of Summertime by George Gershwin and thought it’d be nice to share.

 

The aim of this really was just to create something that I was happy with, within a deadline of a few hours and to build confidence.

I’ve been quite self conscious about singing solo since secondary school – I know so many talented singers and if I try to compare myself to them then I lose half of my confidence. I tend to deal with the doubt by acknowledging that everybody’s voice is completely unique and that I might as well do my best, but sometimes the confidence still goes.

It’s even more bizarre when you consider that I’d be quite happy to stand in front of thousands or millions of people playing the flute.

The clarinet’s still a work in progress in terms of learning, but I stuck it in there just for fun!