We had another great night at the Wiremill Inn. We had a good responsive crowd and the weather was lovely and sunny (well, untill nightfall). We had quite a lot of people come from 'The Cage' in LIngfield and even my two brothers turned up from Yorkshire. Both Dave Silk and Dave Trigwell played so sensitively and it was a dream to work with them. Unfortunately last night was the last of the season of 'Jazz On The Lake' events  - so we shall have to look forward to next year and hope that we will have even more people turn up for each event.

The Wiremill Lake viewed from the Wiremill Inn

Today I played for the wedding of Steven Hodgkinson and Carol Divine at Greadsall Priory, Morley, Derbyshire. What a stunning venue this is!! As I came down the drive they had a sign that read 'Beware Of The Ghosts'. Apparently Breadsall Priory has quite a few resident ghosts including a you lady who was jilted on her wedding day and the monks of the original priory. The bar man there told me about all sorts of strange events that had happened. On one occasion an entire team of workmen, who were re-furbishing the kitchen, put down their tools and refused to work there any more. Their reason was that there were just too many weird things happening.

It was a bright sunny day which made the venue look even more stunning. I  played classical music for the ceremony and then I did quite a lot of mellow jazz for the wedding breakfast. I had a nice time there and I wish Steven and Carol all the very best.

 

 

 

 

I went to Buxted Park today and played the piano for Adrian and Angela Lai's post wedding party. They had already been married earlier in the year but they had decided to have a party for all their friends. I was supposed to play in the Victorian Orangery but the guests were supposed to have drinks outside before sitting down for their meal.

I didn't know whether there was a suitable piano at the venue so I took along my digital piano and PA system just in case. On arrival I couldn't help but notice that there was a lovely white Yamaha grand piano there just waiting to be played. I tried a few notes on the piano and immediately decided that I was going to play this instrument rather than the digital piano. I then set up my PA system and placed a microphone inside the piano. The idea being that I could place a speaker outside so that everyone could hear the music while they were having drinks on the lawn.

I then walked around the building and took some photographs. I just generally killed time untill my starting time which was 1:30pm. Adrian and Angela walked in and I immediately started to play only to find that the sustain pedal wasn't working. In utter panic I raced out of the building a brought in my digital piano. It was quite easy to set up after all I had only to put the keyboard on it's stand and plug it into the PA system.I put the keyboard in front of the grand piano and hoped that I was giving the illusion that I was playing the real thing. I really learnt a lesson on this gig and I shall always check an instrument thoroughly before abandoning the idea of using the digital piano.

After this small trauma I settled down and really enjoyed entertaining a really appreciative audience. Good luck to Adrian and Angela and I hope that I'll see you both again.

 

 

I've been playing the piano for a fashion exhibition over the past two days and it has been really great fun. Dave Silk (the bass player from my trio) gave me the job and I am really grateful to him, not only for giving me the booking, but also for making sure that I had a nice piano to play.

The piano had been hired from Jaques Samuels and was a really nice Yamaha Grand. Most people (who don't play the piano) think that if its a grand and has 'Steinway and Sons' or Broadwood and Sons written on it - then it must be good. But, very often the opposite is true. I can't even start to tell you how many times I have been told that there is a lovely grand piano at a particular venue - only to find that it is merely a piece of furniture and cannot really be classed as a musical instrument. It's often very difficult (or more often impossible) to convince people that my digital piano would sound much better than their 'Steinway' - which can in certain circumstances be little more than a heap of rubbish in a grand piano shaped case. Most of the time I grit my teeth and play the instrument that the client wishes me to play. They just want to see me sat at a 'proper piano' and it's as simple as that.

Anyway, enough of me moaning. The gig was great; the piano was great; lots of people came to talk to me and the guys running the exhibition were very friendly and helpful. The exhibition was at Tobacco Dock, Pennington Street, London EC1 and was organised by TBC ( 'To Be Confirmed') and FAO ('For Attention Of').

 

 

This was the first evening of this year's season of ''Jazz on the Lake' evenings and was well supported. lt became quite chilly later on in the evening and we kept having to stop and go inside to get warm.  Dave Edwards came along as our guest singer and gave us some delightful renditions of some of the old standards.

I did have a few discipline problems with Dave Silk and Dave Trigwell - I just couldn't stop them talking.  However, I must say it is really great that we get on so well - it really does help with the music.

 

From left to right, the above picture shows Dave Silk, Dave Edwards, Me and Dave Trigwell.

 

 

 

Last night I had the great pleasure working with Brigitte Escobar (see photograph on right) at Rainthorpe Hall, Tasburgh, Near Norwich. Wow, what a singer and she really knew how to put a song across. It was the first time that I had met Brigitte (so obviously I had never worked with her before), and to be really honest there was a certain amount of trepidation on my part. For a start off I was very tired as I had done a gig in Birmingham the night before and I hadn't got home untill about 3am which meant that it must have been about 4am before I finally managed to get to bed (after checking my email, answer machine etc.).  I then had to get up and be in London by 9am to do some work that I had been unable to palm onto someone else (there are so few good pianists free on Saturdays). I then had to drive up to Norwich late afternoon and set up my PA system, keyboard and meet the vocalist. I was feeling very jaded when I arrived. But then... I was greeted by Brigitte and I knew straight away that we were going to get along. I forgot about being tired and we both had a great time - the gig went so well. The audience had a good time too and they danced and danced the all night through. There are so many people in the music business who have massive egoes and are uncomfortable to work with, so it is refreshing to meet someone who is not only extremely talented, but also very friendly and easy going. Before departing and going our separate ways we shared our experiences about nightmare musicians, singers and agents. Apparently she had been just as nervous about working with me as I was with her. I really hope that we get the chance to work together soon. Good luck Brigitte and I wish you all the very best.

Hear Brigitte at: www.sonicbids.com/brigitteescobar

 

 

 

I like to work in Yorkshire because it usually gives me the opportunity to see my family - but alas this particular occasion was an exception.  This gig was a 40th birthday party in Apperley Bridge, West Yorkshire and I was going as a duo with the inimitable Dave Silk on bass.

It should have gone very smoothly except for the fact that I ended having to do a job in London on the same day. I tried to find someone to do the daytime job so that I could be free to drive up to Yorkshire with Dave. I couldn't find anyone to dep for me so we ended up making our own separate ways up to Yorkshire. Dave managed to set off from Kent quite early (12-00pm) in his van while I had to set off from London at around 3-00pm. We were supposed to be at the party at about 7pm which didn't give me much time to play with should there be any bad traffic problems or any difficulties finding the venue. The venue on this occasion was a private house which can be a lot more difficult to find than a hotel or golf club. Anyway, having had a difficult time getting out of London on to the M1 - the rest of the journey was fine and I managed to find the house quite easily.

Dave Silk replete and happy after a curry

When I arrived I was greeted by the host of the party and his wife (the 'birthday girl') but no Dave Silk. I soon discovered that he had gone into Bradford for a curry. He must eat curries everyday of the week. Besides music and musicians, Indian food seems to be his main interest in lifeThe party was great and we had a really receptive audience who just made us want to perform. I arrived back home at about 7pm on Sunday morning which didn't give me much time before going to my lunchtime gig at the Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells.

 

 

On Friday 13th May I played the piano at the Birmingham Gala Casino. I do love travelling round Britain but I have got to admit that my pet hate is driving in Birmingham city centre. London is much larger than Birmingham but it is much more logical and if you use a bit of common sense and follow the signs; you will usually end up at the right place without too much trouble. Birmingham is different; it is a rule unto itself. Anyway, I managed to park OK and I found the casino in plenty of time.

The evening was pretty uneventful and the piano bar was ever so quiet. I finished playing at about 11.00pm and walked to my car, which was a considerable distance from the centre of Birmingham (about 30 minutes walk). I then set off to drive home, only to find myself in the centre of the city after about 20 minutes of travelling. I don't know where I went wrong (I always do in Birmingham) but I eventually found myself on the M5 - what a relief.  After a while I started to feel tired and I just had to pull in to some services so that I could have a nap. It ended up being more than a nap and I fell asleep for quite some time. I then resumed my journey and ended up getting home to Lingfield at about 4.30am.

 I had a nice surprise waiting for me at home. I always check my email when I get back from a gig and on this occasion I had received an email from an old pianist friend (Tony Gayle) who I haven't seen for many years. He was then the resident pianist at Prestayn Sands Holiday Camp where I was a 'Bluecoat during the same season. Since then he has become a children’s entertainer and has become very successful in his new vocation. Apparently he was just browsing the Internet on Google and just happened to come across me. The Internet is full of surprises and never fails to amaze me. I personally can't help feeling sad that he has so much talent as a musician and yet he had a period of 13 years where he didn't even touch a piano. Please visit his web sites at:

http://www.aceparties.co.uk

http://www.playitagaintony.me.uk

Good luck Tony - I hope that I will have the fortune to meet up with you soon.

 

 

 

Coming Soon...

Alice Harvey and Eugene Portman

will be performing at the Gala Casino, Regent Street, Northampton on...

Saturday 7th May and Friday 17th June

from 8:15pm - 11.00pm

Membership to Gala Casinos is free so sign up here and we'll see you there!!

 

The Eugene Portman Trio

Featuring..
Eugene Portman on piano, Dave Silk on bass and Dave Trigwell on drums.

will be performing on...

Monday 13th June, Monday 4th July, and Monday 5th September

from 7.00pm - 11.00pm

 

 

I had a great night at the Bournemouth Gala Casino thanks to the sensational Alice Harvey. The crowd were really supportive and made us feel as if we belonged there. We last performed at the Bournemouth Gala Casino on 26th February and found it a really friendly place with staff that just can't do enough to help. Alice and I are both looking forward to a return visit sometime soon.

 

Mellow jazz pianist for any event

Eugene Portman on piano

 

 

News Bulletin... Eugene Portman and Alice Harvey at the Gala Casino, Bournemouth on 26th March 2005 from 10-00pm - 12-30pm

 

Membership to Gala Casinos is free so sign up here and we'll see you there!!

 

Mellow jazz pianist for any event

Eugene Portman on piano

 

This was a corporate do for Anthony Collins Solicitors and was held in three adjoining exhibition rooms in the Ikon Gallery, Birmingham. I was there as a duo with the inimitable Dave Silk on bass, who also drove me there in his van. It was a real treat for me to be driven to a gig rather than have to drive myself. It meant that I could have a drink without having to worry about the journey home.

The gig went well and we both had good time in spite of having difficulties finding the venue and parking the van.

This was yet another Saturday with two gigs. These two slotted nicely together - the first one was at Berkhamsted Town Hall which is about 60 miles north of me and the second was at Northampton which is about 50 miles north of Berkhamsted.
I've been to Berkhamsted Town Hall in the past and I always find it to be a pleasant venue. The house manager (Rick Kubik) is such a nice friendly bloke and all the rest of the staff just make me feel at home. They have even told me that if I phone them when I'm next coming over they will see that the piano is tuned for me. The event on this particular occasion was the wedding of Nicola Gifford who had booked me just one week before. Everything went well and quite a lot of the guests were musicians themselves.
The next gig was at the Sol Central Casino in Northampton and this was with Alice Harvey (the jazz singer that I usually work with). Jobs like this usually involve a certain amount of stress - first of all I had to find the venue and then I had to find out about the parking facilities and the logistics of getting my PA system and keyboard into the performance area. I've got to say, once again, that the staff here were ever so helpful - the doorman couldn't do enough to help me and it wasn't long before I had got everything set up. My next worry was whether Alice was going to turn up (I had forgot to take my mobile phone with me - so I couldn't get in touch with her), she had promised to be there nice and early (around 9-00pm) and it was now 9-25pm. Eventually  I went downstairs to the entrance and there she was (phew). There are two Gala Casinos in Northampton and Alice had been to the wrong one (typical). The rest of the evening was uneventful really - the staff were great but the audience was small and very unresponsive. I think they were more interested in gambling; and music was the last thing on their minds. Anyway, I had a good time - Alice is so easy going and is a dream to work with. I eventually arrived home at about 3-30am.

 

 

Now this was a good bash. It was Jane Elliots 50th birthday party and was in Blenheim Crescent, Notting Hill, London which is renowned for the famous bookshop from the film 'Notting Hill'. I started playing the piano around 1-00pm and finished around 6-45pm with half an hour break and a few short stops to talk to people. The general ambience of the party was that of people having a good time; and I usually find that if they are having a good time -  so am I. 

Mellow jazz pianist for any event

Eugene Portman on piano

Yesterday's gig was very eventful and enjoyable. It was a charity ball in aid of the Anthony Nolan Trust; (the charity for leukaemia) and was held at Berties Banqueting Rooms, Elland, Hallifax, Yorkshire. The general idea was that the event should be a Las Vegas Evening, so the entertainment had to be in keeping with this theme. The  entertainment included Louis Rockafella (famous Elvis impersonator who can be seen on the AOL advert on TV), a walk round magician, las vegas dancing girls, a Frank Sinatra tribute singer with band, gaming tables (roulette, craps etc.) and most of all ME (of course everyone knows about me and that Las Vegas connection).

This is a picture of me with the 'King Of Rock And Roll' (aka Louis Rockafella as seen on the AOL advert). Louis was such a nice friendly bloke and a real star. You can find out more about him by visiting his web site here.

 

 

News Bulletin... Eugene Portman on piano at Farnham Castle on Tuesday 18th January from 7-00pm onwards.

I'm really looking forward to this gig but it is a shame that I can't meet my good friend Lizzi who lives in Farnham - she will be at a conference on Tuesday and won't be back untill Wednesday.

Mellow jazz pianist for any event

Eugene Portman on piano

As I've said earlier, there is usually a lull after Christmas; but once again  I have just done two gigs in one day. The first was at Fulham Palace, London which was the the wedding of Caroline Falce; the second was at Shorne Village Hall, Nr Gravesend and was a 90th birthday party celebration. It looks as though the coming year is going to be busy if January is anything to go by.

 

 

After Christmas there is usually a dead period for any jazz pianist (or any other musician for that matter) which lasts about two weeks - so you can imagine my surprise when I ended up playing for two weddings on the Tuesday straight after the Christmas weekend. The first one was at the Savill Court Hotel in Egham and I played solo jazz piano while the second one was at The Old Ship Hotel in Brighton and that involved working with the ever popular Alice Harvey on vocals and David Silk on bass.

It's not unusual to have two weddings on the same day but it's not what you expect at this time of year. Christmas has been more hectic than ever this year.

 

 

I spent Christmas Day and Boxing Day at the Spa Hote and I played for lunch and dinner on both days. I really enjoy playing at the Spa Hotel - it makes a nice change to work near home where I know most of my audience. I've just had to get used to working over Christmas through the years and  l usually take a break in January when things are a bit quieter. Having said that - the beginning of 2005 is already getting booked up with work. Anyway, Im lucky, I love my work as a jazz pianist and I would be miserable if things were quiet.

Merry Christmas to you all

 

P.S. Make sure you visit eugeneportman.com this year as there are going to be regular updates and lot's of free music available. 

 

 

Yesterday's gig was the wedding of Fiona Smyth and was held in Formby Golf Club.  I love gigs that are a long way from home but I would much rather do them in the summer,  when there is more daylight. Anyway, in spite of those frustrating road works on the west side of the M25 and two accidents on the M6 (yes, I did say two); I managed to get to Formby Golf Club inabout five hours. The gig was a success, the people were very appreciative and the catering staff were a real laugh. Of course after all the glory I had to face that lonesome journey back to Surrey. The journey back was a disaster: the weather conditions were dreadful (snow, wind and rain) and I managed to get lost somewhere around Birmingham.  I arrived home at 2-20AM and I had done 542 miles instead of approximately 520 miles.

 

 

Kim Woodley (the head teacher of Broadwater Manor School) emailed me on Monday 12th December 2004 to see if I could play for a school staff party on Wednesday 14th December 2004. Although it was a little bit short notice; I was free and able to do it. The party was held at Kim's house in Worthing and she had a delightfull grand piano, which not only  saved me the hastle of taking a keyboard, but also also proved to be a lovely instrument to play.

The only problem with playing the piano for this type of event is that quite a lot of school teachers are pianists themselves and are therefore hypercritical - anyhow I got by; was well fed and watered; and was told that they would love to have me back. Everyone was ever so friendly and I really do hope they don't lose my telephone number.

Mellow jazz pianist for any event

Eugene Portman on piano

 

Wow, what a weekend - I don't know how to start telling you what happened. If I start with last Friday 3rd December, that might be a good start. On the Friday I had to play the piano at Richard Jelbert's party in Easebourne, Midhurst and although he had a lovely grand piano there for me to play - I still had to take my electric piano and amplification as I was planning on driving straight from the party at about 11-00pm to to play for a wedding in Portmeirion, Wales where there was no piano. Anyway, Richard Jelbert's party was great, there were loads of people listening and everything went really smoothly until it was time for me to set off on my journey to Wales. I said goodbye to everyone and walked to my car to find that I had acquired a puncture. What a pain, the boot of my car was as full of stuff as ever it could be and I was wearing a dinner suit. Anyhow, I just got stuck in, emptied the boot, got the spare wheel out, loosened the wheel nuts on the punctured tyre,  jacked the car up and found that the wheel wouldn't come off. To cut a long story short I ended up having to call the RAC out who used a far more persuasive method to get the wheel off. Eventually I was on my way but not for long - I started to wonder if I had packed everything for my next gig. I stopped and checked my bag of bits and found that I had forgot to bring the power lead for my amplifier. I know that I could get away with using an electric kettle lead for this but I though I should play it safe and instead of going to Wales I set off home (45 miles).

After all this upset I set off from home for North Wales at about 3-00AM . Most of the journey was foggy so my progress was really hampered. I managed to get about an hours sleep by stopping at one of the motorway services before completing my trip and arriving in Portmeirion in good time (about 10-00AM on Saturday morning). The event was the wedding of Leanna and James Gifford and it involved a lot of piano playing and setting up my keyboard and equipment in three different locations which wasn't easy after losing a nights sleep. They had found me on the internet earlier in the year and they came to see me perform at the St James Court Hotel, London long before booking me for their wedding. I played for the ceremony, the reception drinks, the wedding breakfast and for an hour before the band started. There were so many jazz fans there and I had a ball in spite of feeling a little bit jaded. I set off back home about 8-00PM and made stop in a lay-by for a nap before completing my journey and arriving back home very late on Sunday morning.

I slept like a log that night but I still had more to do. I had to go to Tunbridge Wells to play the piano at the Spa Hotel at lunchtime (Sunday) and then I had to play at Amanda Holes Party at 6-00PM in Whattlington, near Battle. The Spa Hotel was busy and I know quite a lot of the guests that come in so I had to forget my tiredness, put on a bit of charm and entertain. The evening party was really enjoyable and I almost forgot how tired I was . It had been a very eventful weekend and I've have only summarised here but I am so pleased that I did so much and that I didn't just stay in and watch telly like most people do.

A very jaded Eugene in Portmeirion

Mellow jazz pianist for any event

Eugene Portman on piano

 

 

After millions of pounds worth of refurbishment Dale Hill Hotel and Golf Club had their official re-opening yesterday and today. The new general manager (David Collier) was originally at the Spa Hotel where I often play the piano for weddings and functions. I've known him for years and it is so nice to see him doing well for himself. Also my old friend Robert Gee was the toastmaster - we keep coming across one another at these events.

 

Robert Gee on the hop.

 

 

 

The H G Wells Jazz Club has been operating for three weeks and I was lucky enough to be asked to perform with my trio on the third week. The club was started up by Daniel Bennet who is a very keen and talented musician. I can't say that the audience was large but it was very attentive and we had a good time.

Daniel gave us such a good write up after the event and what follows is what he put on his web site (which can be seen at clubjazz.org.uk).

'September 16th 2004 :-   Eugene Portman Trio.  We were expecting a memorable evening and that's just what we got.  Eugene and his trio played a variety of songs from the "standards" book and made each one sound like it should never be played again!  As promised, his elegant touch, amazing bag of licks and firm grasp of jazz chords and improvisational skills blew us all away!  For those who did not make it for various reasons, you really did miss out.  So, to make up for the previous weeks you have missed, try out next Thursday.  The standard has been set.  Thanks a great deal, Eugene and Co.'

Many thanks to Daniel for this flattering write up and I wish him all the best with his new venture;