The choir sang first in Abingdon Market Place but had more impact when they perfomed the same song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and disrupted the shopping experience for 2 minutes at Waitrose Abingdon where I think they were asked to leave. This was part of the Big Sing that kicks of the Abingdon Arts Festival. Money raised from the Big Sing goes to Christian Aid.

(if the video does not work on the blog just press the youtube image bottom right to watch on youtube.)

There is going to be a lot of jazz as part of the Abingdon Arts Festival – eight events feature jazz.

GHQ were playing at the Kings Head and Bell this evening. GHQ usually stand for the George Haslam Quartet, but tonight it was a Quintet. The drummer, who is quite a character, had brought along a bongo player as an understudy. They improvised a brilliant duo near the end. I lost faith in drum solos in the 70s but tonight I think I have re-found the faith.

GHQ are …
George Haslam baritone saxophone.
Steve Waterman trumpet, flugelhorn.
Steve Kershaw double bass
Robin Jones drums, percussion.
+ Bongo Player (not shown).

On Monday Evenings there is Folk at the Anchor.  People were singing when we got there at about 9.

(I’m sure that deer’s head was not there last time we visited. )

There were solos and sing-a-longs in the back room…

accompanied by guitars, mandalines and eukeles.

It sounded like a good way for folk to spend a Monday Evening

A South American band with a large assortment of panpipes and a picture of Machu Picchu,  were playing all day on the Market Place yesterday. Here is a short extract …