THIS WEEK
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HARE-FEST 2013 LIVE talking to Charles Haigh at 10 am on Tuesdays 2, 9 and 16 July!
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ALBERT JOSEPH KEMPSTER
born 1874 Leighton Buzzard Northamptonshire Regiment Albert Medal - Bravery 1910 Royal Militia Island of Jersey died 1952 Jersey, CI |
1914 STOCKHOLM OLYMPICS
Double Bronze Medallist Shooting: Men's Team 30m and 50m military pistol 1908 UK OLYMPICS Champion Army Pistol Shot Champion Rifleman Top Swordsman Champion Amateur Boxer Operatic Tenor Soloist |
Albert JOSEPH kempster's
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HARE-FEST TASTER ONYX 21 June 8.30 Freeleft to right
Ollie ~ drums/vocals Roger ~ guitar/vocals Nikki ~ vocals Sarah ~ flute/multi Andrew ~ guitar Danny ~ vocals |
OXJAM
LEIGHTON BUZZARD 2013 The CROWN ONYX review by SGD http://www.onyxband.com/styled-2/index.html Discovering Vandyke Saturday Music School had undergone a Leighton-Linslade Town Council funding makeover in 2012, membership attracting adult and younger students, I and a granddaughter ventured to the beginners' and intermediate acoustic guitar classes, discovering a plethora of mature tutors and lots of youthful enthusiasm. Accidentally eavesdropping conversations over coffee appeared to suggest a new band at the foetal stage amongst the tutors. Exactly six months' later having been away from Leighton Buzzard for 20 years and with the programming of HARE-FEST 'KEEP MUSIC LIVE' SATURDAY to complete, a tour of OXJAM live music gigs and one MacMillan charity night, shone a whole new spotlight on the local live, very lively music scene. Rock of Ages - The Elvis Band - ONYX - all presenting outstanding entertainment of a trendily nostalgic kind! And who was the common denominator to these and the Music School Guitar and Rock School classes? None other than Mr Roger Spalding! A packed MacMillan fundraiser at Leighton Buzzard Theatre for Rock of Ages and The Elvis Band included a predominance of 'baby boomers' and 'grey backpackers' both on stage and out front - on their feet - bopping - no invitation necessary! Impressive! So . . . racing around OXJAM over the next two weeks lead to ONYX at the Crown! Had never been in there! A spacious hostelry with friendly bar staff. Should I try buying a pint of lager for once? Decisions! Does save queuing later. But - no! Have never got used to ladies drinking from pint glasses! Discovering a few years ago I had negative attitudes to tribute bands, I had contemplated ONYX officially publicised as a 'covers band'. Noticeably in recent years, TV talent show performers' intros nearly always contained the name of the artist famed for the song to be performed as if 'part of the act'. Pub singers of yesteryear and karaoke offered all ability artists to imitate their idols to various degrees of acceptability. Seriously rehearsed imitators of the greatest vocalists had always existed but were not usually to my taste. Reviewing the famous Ga Ga Queen Tribute Band at Bedford Corn Exchange in 2005 changed my outlook. continued column 2 . . . |
ONYX HEADLINING SATURDAY 20 JULY 10.30 pm
HARE-FEST 2013 column 2. . .continued from column 1 With that confession, excitement mounted at seeing ONYX work for the first time; I knew they were very new - but unlike some new young bands, a six-piece full of life's experience, music and performance expertise, dedication - and mature very good looks! Sound check - and a super Honky Tonk Woman! And with a growing audience by 8.30 pm we are flying out to Rio with 'Dance the Night Away' in party band mode. Vocalist, Nikki, certainly afforded a very rounded balance to already full and resonant vocals shared by the whole band. Her comedic lilt with 'There's a guy down our chip shop swears he's Elvis' was superb! Danny was to bust all my illusions that a covers band couldn't be as powerfully moving as 'the real thing'. His Neil Diamond and Paul Simon sets, from Cracklin' Rosie onwards couldn't have been more authentic! Ollie demonstrated a solid presence throughout on percussion with a tremendous solo performance; I found myself transported back many years to Gene Krupa's Big Noise from Winnetka. And who says nostalgia isn't good for you? www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8gvJnhTY2s Including hits of Eddie Cochran, Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers and Elvis, marketing Leighton Buzzard's newest covers band, ONYX, as 'Simply the Best' describes the expertise of Sarah on keyboards and flute, Ollie, a drummer who also sings rather well, two excellent vocalists and the skillful teamwork only too obvious of co-tutors, Roger and Andrew on vocals/guitar/bass guitar. Blended with careful attention to detail, an outstanding versatile act is only too apparent. ONYX offers a huge range of songs from which hosts of any party, function - corporate or otherwise - wedding or wake can choose;. With the experience ONYX can bring, hosts would select a unique 'atmosphere' for any occasion. Follow ONYX on Facebook! Take a look at the ONYX website. Your next function can be fully researched and booked from recommended contacts of very experienced local musicians - and they are nice people too!! http://www.onyxband.com/styled-2/index.html |