Classical and Jazz: Latest News > June 02
Published: 02 June 2011
by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR
BANDSTAND music is getting under way with Sunday afternoon concerts on Hampstead Heath throughout the summer at the Golders Hill Park and Parliament Hill bandstands, plus some special evening gigs on other days.
But it will be another month before there’s music played in the bandstands of Regent’s Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.
This Sunday, the Hampstead Heath season opens with Grimsdyke Brass at Parliament Hill and the Steel All Stars at Golders Hill.
Although many will fondly believe the Grimsdyke Band is somehow connected with a Yorkshire colliery, echoes of the names of the Grimethorpe and Black Dyke bands are purely coincidental. Rather, the band’s name relates to the prehistoric or Saxon earthwork going by the name of Grim’s Ditch that runs across Harrow Weald and there’s no doubt that Grimsdyke Brass Band is a better name than Grim’s Ditch Band.
A strong line-up of musicians is playing at the Hampstead Heath bandstands in coming weeks.
Not to be missed are performances by Hampstead guitarist John Etheridge and his Sweet Chorus band at both bandstands later this month: Thursday June 23, at Golders Hill and Friday June 24, at Parliament Hill.
The band was formed 12 years ago as John Etheridge’s tribute to his mentor and inspiration Stephane Grappelli with whom he worked for five years in the 1970s and 1980s. Chris Garrick is violinist with the group.
Tavistock Clinic consultant systemic psychotherapist Kate Daniels is singing with the band at its Parliament Hill performance.