jazz

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.

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

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.

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!

TONIGHT: Free Live Jazz in Kingsbridge

LIVE JAZZ tonight at the Mill Club, Kingsbridge from 'The John Sterry Trio' (aka. The Sterrys). 8pm Start| Free Entry
Image | | Hannah Sterry

LIVE JAZZ tonight at the Mill Club, Kingsbridge from ‘The John Sterry Trio’ (aka. The Sterrys).

~

Tonight I’m playing with The Sterrys Jazz Trio to raise money for The Poppy Appeal! I’ve played there once before and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I’m hoping that this time will be the same.

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

Elsewhere on the internet:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/HannahSterry

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HannahSterryMusic

Life is Changing: Crafts, Cartoons & Live Music

AnsaBack Poster
Aside | | Hannah Sterry

Hello again!

Life has been changing fast, which has meant that I’ve not drawn and uploaded the cartoons that I aimed to have completed by now. Here’s what’s been going on:

Christmas Cartoon Sales!

The Musical Compliments cartoon still seems to be doing really well. After thousands of sporadic shares on facebook, people seem to be going  mad with t-shirt buying! If you’ve got a musical friend, who loves puns, it could make a really nice complimentary gift!

Musical Compliments - Music Cartoon by Hannah Sterry. Comic shows some music notes complimenting each other. Text reads: "Liking the natural look!" "Thanks! You're looking pretty sharp yourself!"

‘Musical Compliments’ is available on cards, mugs, t-shirts and bags over here: http://www.cafepress.co.uk/hannahsterrycartoons

Music

My sister has been involved in my most recent recording and I’m absolutely desperate to share it, but it’s not finished yet! Would love to hear any band name suggestions for dark, electronic, synth rock with flutes and a female singer… leave me a comment if you have any ideas!

On Wednesday I went to a few of the cafe’s and galleries in town, to ask whether they’d be interested in some live harp music and had a really nice chat with the people in The Art Cafe and The Harbour House. By complete chance, I bumped in to a few people I knew and had played for before and they gave me some really nice, on-the-spot references – it’s a small town! 🙂

The Weekly Gigs:

Tomorrow – I’ll be playing music with Hamer & Isaacs at East Portlemouth Village Hall, 8pm.

Tuesday (11th) – Ansa Back will be playing at The Hideaway Speakeasy, Kingsbridge, 8pm.

Here’s a poster I made earlier!

Ansa Back Poster

[Click for bigger picture]

Thursday (13th) – Ben Carr will be playing at The Kings Arms, Kingsbridge (I’ll be guesting on flute).

More live music dates on the Gigs & Events page.

Education

In addition to all of this, I’ve got an Open University deadline on Tuesday and I’m desperately trying to learn some new Grade VIII standard flute pieces. The driving theory hasn’t even been looked at!

Really glad to be busy, meeting so many people and doing so many things!

Hope nobody minds the lack of cartoons too much (they take a surprisingly long time to draw/perfect). I’ll release more as soon as I’m happy with them!

Hannah x

The Sterrys: Tuesday night is music night

Hannah and John Sterry from "The Sterrys" jazz trio.
Aside | | Hannah Sterry

The 25th of September marks the last Tuesday Night is Music Night of this year and I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone at The Cottage Hotel, on behalf of The Sterrys, because we’ve had an amazing time.

It’s been great fun playing at The Cottage Hotel every week this summer and we’ve met some wonderful people, tasted some absolutely amazing food and really enjoyed playing to such a nice group of people.

Here are a few photos to sum up the wonderful time we’ve had here:

Having fun with the folk harp (sometimes accompanied by Joe on flute).

Harpist Hannah Sterry at The Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove.

Fundraising for Hope Cove Lifeboat out on the terrace.

I’m not sure how much we raised, but have been told it was a success!

Hannah and John from "The Sterrys" playing at The Cottage Hotel.

We even had time for a quick photo opportunity as the sun was setting!

Image

In summary, we’ve had an absolutely amazing time with everyone who’s visited or worked at the hotel.

This is probably the best way to illustrate it:

Image

Thank you to everyone who’s come and supported us,

I really hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as we have!

Best wishes,

Hannah Sterry

The Sterrys

THIS WEEK: Upcoming Gigs & Fluid Pianos

Fading Notes II - Flute Keys Version
| Hannah Sterry

Here’s what’s happening this week:

Tuesday Night is Music Night at the Cottage Hotel. I’ll be playing flute as part of The Sterrys and watching the sun setting over the water at Hope Cove. Feel free to relax with a cocktail and enjoy the music! Starts at 6:45pm.

Wednesday… brings the second of Ben Carr’s Music Sessions at The Hideaway. Anyone can come along, bring an instrument and join in (I’ll be there with my flute). The whole evening’s great fun and you’ll meet some really nice people. Starts at 8pm.

Thursday… features An audience with Auntie Pus at B-Bar, Plymouth. I’m really hoping to go to this, but haven’t quite worked out the logistics yet. Either way, I’m sure it’ll be a brilliant evening. Starts at 8:30pm.

Sunday… Gallows Ghost play The Hideaway and have asked me if I’d like to stand in for a few tunes as a guest musician. They’re lovely people and their music is great fun to play, so the answer is always yes!

Today’s discovery is… a new instrument called The Fluid Piano. The strings all have sliders that enable each note to be changed in pitch (by up to a whole tone) as the piano is being played. This also means that the piano can be tuned to the true harmonic series, making it much more compatible with traditional indian  music, which doesn’t use the standard western tuning (twelve note equal temperament) and can often involve fluctuations in pitch.

Anyway, I hope you’re all having a good week and if you happen to be at any of these gigs, feel free to say hi (I’ll be the one with the flute and the long brown hair)!

Jazz Greenhill drew me! She’s a genius armed with pencils.