Showing posts with label Abu Dhabi BIg Band. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abu Dhabi BIg Band. Show all posts

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Abu Dhabi Big Band at Abu Dhabi Film Festival Opening Night

On Thursday night we played a gig at the Emirates Palace for the opening night of the Abu Dhabi Film Festival. The EP had a pretty tight security lock down for the evening, as there were various Sheikhs in attendance along with a Mr Richard Geer! As a result we were not allowed to drive ourselves in to the place, but had to meet a bus at Marina Mall to bus us into the tradesman's entrance - how undignified!

When we got there we were taken through the bowels of the hotel to our 'green room" , which was beside the auditorium and appeared to be a ballet rehearsal room. On the way I saw a couple of interesting signs....



...well I guess the least they can do is give him his own lift!




...if in doubt, read the instructions!


...I thought about practicing my Plié and Retiré Devant, but didn't want to scare anyone with my bare legs....

While the opening night film was showing (Arbitrage starring Richard Geer) , we went out for our sound check. The back of the EP had been transformed into a very posh garden party venue, which looked amazing.



 



After sound check and before our set, they took us back inside for some food, where we experienced the usual EP hospitality with a lovely buffet spread, which I have to say is probably the best gig food I have ever had!....




The gig went really well, with some great comments afterwards. There was a small press piece on The National's blog of the event which you can read here. Basically - a good time was has by all. 

However, we knew he was there, but there was no sighting of the Lesser Spotted Dick !



 The National


 (I'm top right, but obscured by a Bass Trombone!) :-)





Friday, June 1, 2012

British Food Week at LuLu Hypermarkets

I helped organise a brass ensemble for LuLu Hypermarkets (Where the world comes to shop!) to support the opening of their British Food Week. Originally the request was for the Big Band, but I thought a brass group would be more appropriate and we could play some British "classics".

Below is clip and some photos from the opening at Al Khalidiyah Mall and we will also be playing at Al Wahda Mall (6pm Friday) and Al Mushrif Mall (12 Noon Saturday) this weekend.















Friday, February 10, 2012

Welcome the United Arab Emirates National Symphony Orchestra - The National

Welcome the United Arab Emirates National Symphony Orchestra - The National

Good luck to Andy with this venture. Andy plays with the Abu Dhabi Big Band from time to time and has lately been rehearsing and conducting us too. He is a great guy and full of fun. There was a letter today in the paper from the leader of the existing UAE Philharmonic Orchestra, saying that there are not enough musicians to support both orchestras. I do have sympathy with this argument - even the existing UAEPO is not up to much - we went to hear them at Christmas and were pretty disappointed - so I'm not sure how two can survive? Maybe the UAENSO will prosper better and take over?

You never know - I may even get a couple of gigs! - Andy? :-)

Not enough musicians to go around - The National



Saturday, January 7, 2012

Volvo Ocean Race Gig

A few pictures taken from the gig this evening and a video of Kamal Mussalum, on the Oud, with ADBB.....
























Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Abu Dhabi Big Band @ Volvo Ocean Race event

The Abu Dhabi Big Band will be playing on Saturday Jan 7th for this event at the Race Village on the Breakwater, Nr. Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi. We will be playing two sets at c.4pm and 6pm.

Best news... it's free, so come along!



Photo: Tiffany Schultz


Thursday, December 8, 2011

Abu Dhabi Big Band at The Westin

Last night the ADBB played at the opening of The Westin Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The hotel is located at The Abu Dhabi Golf Club. They provided the band with a "Green Room" which happened to be The Presidential Suite. I took a few piccies on my phone which by no means does it justice, but it was quite stunning. I think I'll book it for a weekend break :-)


Hallway that seemed to go on forever


Bathroom (one of them)



Private cinema (sorry about the guy changing!)


One of the lounges (with golf course views)


 Another lounge


Walk in wardrobe 



Outdoor space (one of them)


Another outdoor space


Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Abu Dhabi Big Band gig tonight...

Tonight we have a gig at the British Embassy to celebrate the Queen's birthday. Happy Birthday Liz!

Here's a video clip a friend of the band made at our gig at the One-to-One Village.



Abu Dhabi Big Band 2010 from Jeehyun Kwon on Vimeo.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

ADBB gig

Sorry to say, the gig at the OnetoOne is cancelled...apparently the hotel could not get the necessary permissions for outdoor music from the Municipality.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Abu Dhabi Big Band at the One to One 23/2/2011



Just a plug for the band. The OnetoOne Village is hosting the ADBB on Wednesday night from 8pm. I believe they are charging 200 AED for entry to the gig with buffet...

Here's a taster about the band....

Monday, December 6, 2010

Abu Dhabi Big Band at the One-to-One

ADBB will be playing a gig at the One-to-One village in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday night from 8pm-10pm with free entry! All are welcome - come and enjoy the music!





Monday, November 29, 2010

Abu Dhabi Big Band Photoshoot

We had a professional photographer come into rehearsal last week to take a few publicity shots. Below are a few samples. I think she did a nice job. The full album is also linked below.









Thursday, June 17, 2010

Abu Dhabi Big Band Video

Just a plug for the band!! .... You can contact me if you have interest in booking the band or attending gigs.



Sunday, April 25, 2010

Abu Dhabi Big Band at the Club

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On Friday night the ADBB had a gig at The Club in Abu Dhabi. It was for their dinner dance and was attended by c.150 people. The Club is a private members club started by some British expats in the late ‘60s on land donated by the late Sheikh Zayed.

The gig went really well and featured our new logo’d stands. There were lots of people up dancing which was great. Our next gig is at the end of May (date to be finally confirmed) to be held in the auditorium of the ADMA-OPCO (Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company), an oil company here. This will be open for the general public so I’ll post more details later... you would be most welcome!

Here are some pics from Friday....

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

ADBB Gig at The Embassy

The Abu Dhabi Big band had a gig at The British Embassy tonight in commemoration of The Queen’s birthday. We were just providing background music while the assembled great and good of Abu Dhabi quaffed champagne and ate canapes. It was also the first public engagement for the newly installed British Ambassador, Dominic Jermey OBE. The leading local dignitary was H.H. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of HIgher Education and Scientific Research. The Ambassador gave a speech which he started quite eloquently (or so it seemed to me) in Arabic, which was quite impressive.

There were lots of military types there in their regalia and one of them proposed toasts to a) Sheikh Khalifa and b) The Queen , but asked out of respect to the local customs and traditions to use non-alcoholic drinks!

They had on display a restored Aston Martin DB5 that has been doing the road in Abu Dhabi over the last couple of weeks. It is definitely a beautiful car. I’m afraid my camera phone doesn’t do it justice.

All in all quite a good night.

Next gig Friday night at The Club.


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