howard kahn

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.

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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.

Summertime: Jazz Flute Version by Hannah Sterry

Summertime: Jazz Flute Version by Hannah Sterry
Video | | Hannah Sterry

It was a lazy afternoon in Plymouth, so I decided to record a little jazz video with my boyfriend and this is how it turned out!

Let me know what you think! 🙂

Flute: Hannah Sterry (me)
Piano: Howard Kahn

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