Month: July 2015

‎So Bend it like Beckham is the feel-good new modern British musical which has been doing really well in London’s West end this past few weeks, with its now familiar story of a two sisters (Jess and Pinky), living in a family in Southall Broadway, the buzzing hubbub of Asian families socializing, shopping and gossiping about each other, all set amongst the backdrop of Asian store brands like Royal Sweets, Sagoos, Madhus. Southall Discount Tyres and more.

BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM AT THE PHOENIX THEATRE, LONDON.
Photo Copyright – Ellie Kurtz.

Jess needs extra time. She is facing the most important decision of her life: live up to family expectations of university, career and marriage, or follow in the footsteps of her hero David Beckham. When the talented teenager is spotted playing football in Southall, a world of unexpected opportunities opens up before her. But as her sister Pinky’s traditional Indian wedding approaches, can she keep her family happy and still follow her dreams?

Photo Copyright – Ellie Kurtz.

Jokes about Asian females hairy lip lines, whole houses ablaze with twinkling fairy lights for weddings, passions for mani-pedi, facials and boyfriends reign…unless you are young Jess who adores the sport of football and alongside her footie best pal Jules, has to lie to her family in order to join in with the local Hounslow Harriers ladies football club.

It’s a perfect musical for all the family, especially if you love football; like the footie version of Westside story but with big song and dance musical numbers sung in an Indian accent, like the infectious “girl perfect”. The live band on the balcony juxtaposed with the catchy songs sprinkled throughout will have you bopping in your seats all night.

Photo Copyright – Hector Perez .

Most impressive is the massive powerhouse voice hiding inside the petite body of actress and singer Preeya Kalidas, who often stole the show as she belted out songs and danced up a storm.

‎In amongst all the Indian clichés, issues and jokes about fair skin vs darker skin ‘’look how dark you’ve become’’, Indian mothers emphasis on teaching their daughters to cook and ‘’not being seen outdoors with any old man’’, were more touching, deeply sensitive issues about the generations born abroad and born here just not understanding each other. ‎There were even nods to indigenous white families not understanding each other’s lives, ambitions and values anymore. It was particularly poignant watching and relating to the struggle between young peoples dreams and their ‘duty’.

Photo Copyright – Ellie Kurtz.

After the show, I caught up with Preeya in her dressing room for a chat, and asked her how she thinks Indian themed musicals making more of their mark on the west end stage have faired recently?

Preeya; (the fact that they’re) Indian themed musicals, is what sets them apart from any other show, and makes for an interesting cultural fusion, particularly musically, which audiences seem to really love and enjoy.

Jasmine; You played a different role in the film/ musical- tell us about that?
Preeya; I played the role of Monica, the cousin of football mad Jess. Monica is your typical Asian west London type who actually wants to be Pinky, Jess’s sister, the role of which I am playing now.

Jasmine; BILB is based in Southall – it’s managed to stay respectful and funny instead of offensive and stereotypical- was that important to you all?
Preeya; Absolutely. I strive to be part of projects that represent our community in a positive light and not to focus on the one-dimensional aspect. Bend it like Beckham has all the right ingredients that audiences can relate like cultural conflicts of generations portrayed in a realistic manner that will make you laugh, but also make you recognise the experiences.

Jasmine; Tell us about your role-playing Pinky- and explain the nickname Pinky to those unfamiliar with Asian culture?
Preeya; Pinky is the complete opposite of tomboy Jess who dreams of playing football, whereas Pinky dreams of getting married and having the perfect family setup. She is a fun loving energetic, juicy couture wearing, typical Southall girl. Her name Pinky is actually a typical Panjabi name meaning Most Beautiful; Pink Coloured; Sweet; but having also discussed this with Gurinder Chadha – our director – her real name is probably something like Paramdeep, but its typical to have such names shortened …and also the fact that she loves wearing pink!

Jasmine; Even though you don’t play the main lead role, you’ve managed to steal the limelight in the musical, how have you managed to shine – but not too much?
Preeya; Ah thank you for your kind words! I have had a wonderful time re creating the character for the musical and Pinky is a great character to play, I just thoroughly enjoy myself on stage and its refreshing for me to get the opportunity to do comedy, sing, dance and act all in one production!

Jasmine; What kind of statement do you think the success of this musical has had on the west end and on an Asian cast?
Preeya; The last successful west end musical with a British Asian cast was AR Rahman’s Bombay Dreams, produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which I had the wonderful opportunity to play the lead in. It was groundbreaking and of its time for many reasons; one being the fact it represented the Asian community and gave us a voice. Bend it like Beckham is now doing the same thing but representitive of the British Asian community (Bombay dreams was set in India).
TV, Film and Stage are fantastic outlets to change perceptions of ethnic communities and it is important that there are more opportunities for this to happen. Gurinder Chadha is a real pioneer of representing the Asian community to a mainstream audience. She lets them into a world that they may not know but in actual fact will find that they can completely relate. I suppose that’s why Bend it Like Beckham is so special, for that reason.

Jasmine; How difficult is it securing roles that aren’t focused around your ethnicity and how engaged do you get in all the industry ‘diversity’ conversations?
Preeya; I have been lucky in that I have played roles that aren’t specific in ethnicity, there are certain casting directors and producers who are open minded and will focus on talent, which is fantastic, but there is still a long way to go. I also love playing roles that represent my community, as long as they are interesting stories and not one-dimensional characters. I engage in ‘diversity” conversations with my peers as there is a lot of frustrated talent out there. We can talk as much as we want, but action would be more conducive, I say lets get writing and tell the stories we want to tell!

Jasmine; What’s your biggest challenge as ‘Preeya Kalidas’ in the showbiz world?
Preeya; I think anyone that steps foot into this industry will face a number of challenges. Being put in a box is a big problem in the entertainment biz, but for me I strive to stay out of the box, which is why I have managed to have a diverse career in film, TV and stage.

Jasmine; What one thing do you want people to know that might surprise them about you?
Preeya; I cook???!!! Tasty meals…ha!

Jasmine; You’ve always juggled both acting and music equally – tell us about that journey now in 2015? How easy / difficult is it? Is this genre your perfect career fit?
Preeya; It’s down to you to keep pushing and find people who believe in what you do and can do, that’s the task. It’s a perfect fit for now but who knows what the future holds.

Jasmine; Any other separate music and acting updates we can expect from you in the future?
Preeya; There is always something Kooking in the Kalidas world, I am on a constant creative journey. Follow me on twitter and you can keep up to date @PREEYAKALIDAS 😉
(OMG she’s gone all K K K K Kardashian!).

Photo Copyright – Ellie Kurtz.

Bend It Like Beckham is a celebratory fusion of culture, music, emotions and fun, bursting with warmth, humour and heart and is at the Phoenix Theatre in London. Bookings from now until October.

I’ve known Clifford Joseph Price, aka Goldie, since the eighties, when one of my best friends used to date him. It was around the time that he was selling gold teeth in the UK and USA, and generally hustling hard.

ALL PHOTO’S COPYRIGHT: Chelone Wolf . www.chelonewolf.co.uk.

He was always the lovable scallywag. Flitting from the UK to the USA, dabbling in loads of pop culture arts like breakdancing (when he had a head full of ‘’goldielocks’’) and graffiti, dj’ing, making music and more questionable tomfoolery. He’s always had a healthy interest and submersed himself into it all, from holding an exhibition of his own painted artwork a few years ago to dating bad ass women with attitude like Bjork and acting in Guy Ritchie’s Snatch, Eastenders and even playing a baddie in a James Bond movie!

A truly multi-gifted, sometimes troubled, but now most definitely a wiser grown up adult, who enjoys his family, yoga and sushi. The change I’ve witnessed in him across three decades has been panoramic and inspiring.

This week at London’s Royal Festival Hall, the drum and bass icon’s seminal album Timeless, was performed live by the Heritage Orchestra. Godie, in typical lastmin.com fashion called me on the morning of his gig and declared that I must come. On arrival outside the RFH all you could see was a sea of middle aged, trainer-clad, old-skool jungle ravers, all excited about the night. The original eighties children that were a part of the generation that grew up to pop, rock, indie, dance, hip-hop, R&B, dub step, jungle and more. ‘‘The best decade to be born into if you loved music’’ reminisced many people chatting on the night.

ALL PHOTO’S COPYRIGHT: Chelone Wolf . www.chelonewolf.co.uk.

Named by The Guardian as one of the fifty most significant events in the history of dance music, Timeless is a truly landmark album and to hear it brought to life in the Royal Festival Hall was a once in a lifetime moment for drum and bass fans. Way back in 1995 NME in its Albums of the Year feature said Timeless was ‘…an astonishing… symphony of whizzing breakbeats, fluid soundscapes and mind-warping moodswings…’

Picking up my tickets from the box office i noted Goldie had arranged a box for my friends and I. Before we could even jump up and down in excitement a roar of ”Jasmine!” thundered behind us as Goldie greeted us in his OTT dynamic manner musch to a very packed foyers amusement.

Returning after a sell-out show at James Lavelle’s Meltdown last year, Goldie was back (after his own personal adventures in Thailand), to introduce The Heritage Orchestra, who performed his most celebrated album, live. Conducted by Jules Buckley, Goldie and the Heritage Orchestra had expanded and reworked the tracks for full orchestra, band, choir, electronics, and guest vocalists and the final result was mind-blowing!

Seeing the album translated from vinyl to 3D orchestra was magical. Jules lead the conducting onstage whilst Goldie leapt about from the stage to the audience like a mad music scientist.

The Timeless album originally fused the breakbeats and basslines common in jungle, with orchestral textures and soul vocals by Diana Charlegmagne. The album’s title track was a 21-minute symphonic piece. Timeless also helped popularise drum and bass as a form of musical expression. The song “Inner City Life” was probably it’s biggest commercial hit in the UK charts at the time.

Years ago it was the Bluenote club that jungle music fans packed, tonight it was the revered Royal Festival Hall, usually a place for more sedate, demur audiences. I am certain this building had never seen thousands of middle aged ravers, jumping around for two solid hours in the stalls, circle, aisles and royal boxes in this crazed manner.

ALL PHOTO’S COPYRIGHT: Chelone Wolf . www.chelonewolf.co.uk.

The hall was packed with an audience cheering screaming from the start of the first notes of the album played by the orchestra. There were line-ups of singers, strings, horns and percussion onstage and the atmosphere was electric with anticipation.

There was a nice slow build up with smooth strings for Sea Of Tears, before the drummer (Adam Betts), manically burst into drum and bass beats, which he continued to beat like a man possessed for the next two hours! Actually, the drummer astounded us. If you imagine a whole album made up of drumming, even with this 50-piece orchestra it was this lone, sweat-soaked drummer that was punching well above his weight. He must’ve been knackered and lost at least stone right there on stage, with his frenzy of beating those skins solidly for so long.

ALL PHOTO’S COPYRIGHT: Chelone Wolf . www.chelonewolf.co.uk.

As well as the drummer, the pianist was letting loose too, one moment as if he were in a rave dancing frenzy, and then the next minute he would suddenly be sat upright and composed, ready to play his section. The orchestra couldn’t stay still either and were bouncing throughout; and even conductor Jules was hopping about the beats were so infectious. Just. So. Cool. Highlight tracks for me included ‘Saint Angel’, ‘A Sense of Rage’, ‘Angel’ and ‘State of Mind’.

Goldie spoke to us a couple of tracks into the set

‘’two decades ago I wanted to create something timeless,… All my experiences were put into this project. I had a misspent youth so with this new project I put all of that into something new… We are a family, UK culture, UK jungle music (mass screams and cheers), We were on the cusp of the analogue and digital change which is all being celebrated now…. Now it’s the rebirth for me from flat sheet music to 3D music orchestra! …An old man in New York once said to me ‘’don’t wish too hard kid, it might come true’ and it has!’’

ALL PHOTO’S COPYRIGHT: Chelone Wolf . www.chelonewolf.co.uk.

It was all fascinating art in motion. The laser lights were choreographed to dance with the music, and the audience was bouncing as the lasers swam across them. Audience members were leaping in their seats in the stalls, boxes and circle balcony. ‎

ALL PHOTO’S COPYRIGHT: Chelone Wolf . www.chelonewolf.co.uk.

As Pied Piper Goldie led the dance and passed by audience members and musicians, they’d all whip into an even more intense frenzy! What an incredible feeling to see and hear the work that you made two decades ago, resurrected like a great phoenix from the flames, in front of its original fan base.
The nights were produced by Goldie, Chris Wheeler and Southbank Centre and the arrangements were by Matt Calvert, Jules Buckley, Tom Trapp, Ben Cottrell, Matt Dunkley and Simon Whiteside.

ALL PHOTO’S COPYRIGHT: Chelone Wolf . www.chelonewolf.co.uk.

‎Afterwards I caught up with Goldie backstage where he told me the concept of these 20year shows and how it all came about logistically.

Goldie; Knowing how far ahead the concept of the music and album was, I always wanted this project to be seen in this light, so the concept was always there- I want to stretch the boundaries of what you can do with drum n bass, so we move the music forward, creatively not commercially. The logistics are really a lot of back n forth with the Heritage orchestra in coming up with the tracks in notated and playable form.

Jasmine – What sparked your passion for orchestras in recent years?
Goldie; I’ve always been a fan of classical music and I really like a challenge so when I see a new area to expand into I go head first into it

Jasmine – Jules Buckley’s a bit of a classics star himself. Tell me about working with him.
Goldie; He is a genius to work with, as is Chris Wheeler, the fact that they can interpret the music which is so dense takes a lot- the project would not have happened without them.

Jasmine – How much more can you milk your art from two decades ago? Any new concepts on the horizon?
Goldie; Well, the live project is a completely new interpretation of the album. So we’re showing it in a new light, we’re expanding it. In the back of my mind I always knew it could be played in this way but technology and belief needed to catch up with the concept.

Jasmine – Talk about that fan base that was dancing in a frenzy. What kind of feedback have you had from them.
Goldie; It’s been overwhelming, the replies via social media and everyone coming up to me at the shows has been amazing. I don’t think the Southbank has seen reaction within its walls like that before. The emotion and the power of the sound really caught people. It was great to see.

Jasmine – How has the character Goldie changed from his place in the world from 20 years ago?
Goldie; I’m a lot more focused and I have a better understanding of myself. I’m still fighting for what I believe in but I’m also much more intelligent about how I go about this fight to achieve the best results. The love of my family coupled with Bikram yoga has lead to an inner calm that has created this focus, the life of an artist will always be a troubled one but there are things you can do to make your passage slightly smoother.

Being put up for adoption and being raised in a variety of childcare homes and foster parents hasn’t held this over achiever back. He cites his own biggest achievement in life so far as

‘’ Being voted by the public into the Top 60 of the ‘New Elizabethans’; the most influential leading figures in HM Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, with people including David Attenborough, Margaret Thatcher and Sir Edmund Hillary. Also, my degrees and honours; an honorary degree with Brunel University; a Doctor of Social Sciences at Brunel, West London / a Doctor of Design Degree from the University of Wolverhampton as well as being a professor at Thames Valley University!’’.

Tonight’s iconic performance of urban meets classical music is just another string to his very over flowing bow.

JILL SCOTT ‘’Woman’’ album review.

Jasmine with Jill Scott.

This week see’s the release of Grammy award-winner Jill Scotts 5th studio album Woman, and luckily, I was given a sneak peek listening link weeks ahead of release, and am relieved to announce; she’s back with a vengeance!

I was such a devotee of her first album Who Is Jill Scott, which was filled with classic R&B anthems, that I even named my iPod after her!
Like many artists on their sophomore album, she decided to go from being my best female audio friend, to all-experimental on us.
On her second outing Beautifully Human, there was a lil too much shrieky cray cray for moi. After that I lost sight of her next two releases, until last month when her new record label sent me her new music.

My perfect Jill Scott has always been heavenly sounds that I can rely on for dinner parties, relaxed drives and romance. Approaching the 15-year anniversary of her first studio album, Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1, I am really happy to hear her latest release is that beautiful, melodic, silky bird-like voice back to its finest with catchy, memorable hooks. Like her debut outing, this too has hooks that fans will learn and sing with slick, eyebrow raising attitude. All the production is head-bouncing, high-level, audio gold.

Jill Scott’s 5th studio album is an empowering ode to women titled WOMAN.

Woman kicks off with the call out to us all to be awakened and listen to WILD COOKIE.

PREPARED is a sexy reminiscent ode to a new awakening. A beautiful rich anthem for ladies looking for that soul mate its chorus has you chanting along cult like. Like artists like Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu and India Irie, Jill has always made the ladies feel empowered and men are always judged as those who understand these ladies will always choose strong, intelligent women for partners. BTW CRUSIIN is my joint on this album, just easy, laid back vibes that spoke to my heart. No explanation necessary, just listen.

RUN RUN RUN is a faster paced Motown meets the sixties vibe. A juxtaposition of all the fun you had to Beyonce’s Work it out meets Outkast’s Ms Jackson.

You’ll want to two-step with your other half to CAN’T WAIT, which is a lovers rock style lullaby.

Describing Woman as “classic Philly soul meets country rhythm served with captivating storytelling,” Jill executively produced the album in collaboration with long-time creative colleague Andre Harris (behind her hits ‘A Long Walk’ and ‘The Way’) and songwriter/producer Aaron Pearce. That’s probably why on new track LIGHTHOUSE; it starts with a sound reminiscent of her classic anthem A LONG WALK…

The albums lead single is titled FOOLS GOLD, and with no pretence or hiding, likens a sour relationship and an unworthy lover to Fools Gold. Audiences will already be familiar with this by the time the album is released on July 24th.

There are two ‘’interludes’’ on this album starting with the WILLING INTERLUDE and then later PAUSE INTERLUDE (which sounds very Laura Mvula) . I’m not a fan of ‘’interludes’. If you got something to say, say it in a full thought out song. An interlude is like social media subliminal tweets. Say it in full or don’t say it at all. #JusSayin

CLOSURE as you can imagine is an upfront, in your face, angry, I’m kicking you to the kerb’ flick of the hand, laudation to a dumped, cheating lover.

Jill really shows off her pipes in a big ballad vocal vehicle on YOU DON’T KNOW, a slow, country gospel meets R&B soul vintage big number.

SAY THANK YOU reminds me of a disturbing Pulp Fiction film soundtrack song. A Wild West female gun-slinging boss! (Pronounce it ‘’baus’’ tho).

BACK TOGETHER takes Jill back to church where a sermon is being lead to take us on a high rolling journey of rebuilding and recovering.

COMING TO YOU a high impact feel good, belly-wrenching vocals from the gut evocative of the Shaft era. Jill says stuff like this ‘’ I’ve done a lot of fighting in my time, and I’m down to do some more. I don’t want to, but you know, there’s just certain things that you can’t sit down and take’’. And this; ‘’ When I got my success, I became decadent for a while. This was 2003 to 2008. I fell for tiramisu really hard. I’ve become more moderate since, because African-Americans are prone to diabetes’’. Love her for that.

Jahraymecofasola just needs to be enjoyed as if on an out of body space traveling experience.

Jill Scott’s music is like a soundtrack to our lives, good love, bad love, lost love, love regrets and everything in between. In explaining the formula for her prolific writing and ability to serve as the voice of many women, Jill says,

“I put myself in each woman’s place…and found that it became more about me, all of it, with the envy, the anger, the frustration, the loneliness, the joy, the passion and the rapture”.

BEAUTIFUL LOVE, a duet with BJ The Chicago Kid, is what it says on the tin, a track to make love to.

Jill is currently just underway in her solo headline tour taking in 25 American cities. This new album is the follow-up to her 201 The Light of the Sun, which debuted at No. 1 on the Top Billboard 200, and no doubt this one will start at the top too. It deserves to.
Welcome back Ms Scott.

Woman Tracklisting:

1. Wild Cookie
2. Prepared
3. Run Run Run
4. Can’t Wait
5. Lighthouse
6. Fool’s Gold
7. Willing (Interlude)
8. Closure
9. You Don’t Know
10. Pause (Interlude)
11. Cruisin
12. Say Thank You
13. Back Together
14. Coming To You
15. Jahraymecofasola
16. Beautiful Love (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid)

Legendary American comedian Dave Chappelle’s had a rollercoaster of an infamous career journey thus far and continues to push boundaries.

AFTER THE SHOW IT’S THE AFTERPARTY – Dave Chappelle, De La Soul,musician Fred Yonnet and the crowd at Dave’s Juke Joint event in London.

As well as a comedian, Chappelle is a screenwriter, producer, and actor who has been in London this month playing a series of sold out date’s at Hammersmith Apollo.
He ‘likes to engage in marijuana use, but does not drink alcohol’. He even chain smoked all the way through his London shows having acquired a special licence from Hammersmith Council to be allowed to smoke onstage each night!

Band member Frederic Yonnet, Ed Sheeran and Dave Chappelle at Juke Joint London.Photo copyright – Derrick Jones.

After beginning his film career in the USA film industry in 1993 with small cameo roles, he continued to land minor roles in box office hits including The Nutty Professor Con Air and Blue Streak. His first lead role was in the 1998 comedy film Half Baked.

DAVE CHAPPELLE INTRODUCES HIS ‘BAND WITH NO NAME’ AT HIS JUKE JOINT IN LONDON.

Just over a decade ago, Chappelle was also the star and a producer of the Michel Gondry-directed documentary Dave Chappelle’s Block Party, which chronicles him hosting a free concert in Brooklyn on September 18, 2004.

Several musical artists, including Kanye, The Roots, Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Dead Prez, and Jill Scott are featured in the movie both performing in the concert and in conversation off-stage. He even brought Yellow Springs residents to Brooklyn at his own expense. Another surprising highlight of the event was the temporary reunion of popular 1990s hip-hop group The Fugees. Even to this day, people rave about and debate this film on social media.

This outing which merged his world’s of comedy entertainment, throwing parties and music, had such a big impact on him that he started another brand called ‘’Juke Joint’’ which merges live musician’s with a party crowd in a very unique old skool jazz club vibe.
Dave threw the first Juke Joint last April in Ohio, and was convinced he had witnessed the capturing of lightening in a bottle. This weekend he brought this concept to a west-London warehouse.

After his seven night sell out show in the capital, he brought Juke Joint to Loft Studios, in North West London for two nights, where with members of Stevie Wonder’s touring band, and Prince’s band, as well as world renowned harp player Frederic Yonnet and legendary Hip Hop DJ D-Nice, put on a sweaty exuberant party akin to a live musicians jamming session.

Hilariously, one of the first things he did as he took to the stage with the live band was to say ‘’now I’m going to do my favourite white people shit’’, ran and leapt into the crowd and moshed just centimetres from us.
I was in shock, relieved that he hadn’t vaulted into my group of girl friends. Our hair buns, outfits and phones would have gone tits up, with a huge insurance claim for personal injury the next day.

Inspired by the birthplace of modern music, the deep American South’s Juke Joint, the music was a heavy mix of jazz, fusion and sprinkles of R&B. Dave played both dj records and joints by the live band, of his favourite playlist tracks from Coltrane to Nirvana as his ‘’The Band With No Name’’ battled DJ D-Nice into the small hours.

ED SHEERAN JAMS WITH DAVE CHAPPELLES BAND WITH NO NAME IN LONDON.

An hour into the fun, I noticed another mosh pit and spotted little ginger Ed Sheeran in the centre of it, having come straight from his Wembley Stadium show.
Next thing, Ed is pulled onstage by Dave, and Ed proceeds to blow the crowds minds by taking us on a 20-minute journey of karaoke skitting with the live band.

ED SHEERAN JAMS WITH DAVE CHAPPELLE’S ‘BAND WITH NO NAME’ IN LONDON
Ed had the party guests join him on call and response hit song’s from a wide array of act’s from Bob Marley, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell and even our very own Krept and Konan and Tinie Tempah which had the crowd baying in hysteria! I was most impressed by his Caribbean accent and version of many bashment and reggae songs. Its official. Ed is down.

ED SHEERAN JAMS WITH DAVE CHAPPELLES BAND WITH NO NAME IN LONDON

Dave’s night always attracts his peers like Naomi Campbell and Venus Williams who were also in the house.
At one point he asked his DJ D Nice ‘’what’s that British shit that had the crowd at the show lit?’’ …D Nice proceeded to throw down Lethal Bizzles POW and the party jumped harder than before with us all singing and rewinding POW to sing it again, and again, about 16 times in all!
The roof was jumping and the floor was definitely shaking.

The following night saw much of the same but with legends De La Soul take the mic for impromptu sing-offs. What a concept!

The nights were HOT not just socially, but akin to a bikram studio. Clearly Dave is clued up and his ryder includes a big metal fan onstage all night, pointing upwards, to keep him cool. At one point he even picked it up and fanned us. Beyonce take note!

EVERYTIME HE’S ONSTAGE, DAVE INSISTS HIS RYDER’S TOP PRIORTY ITEM IS A…..FAN!

Dave told me later ”In regards to the Juke Joint events:it was the idea of taking it out of the traditional venues and putting it somewhere else where it’s alive and kinetic and not so much a show but a celebration lead by virtuosos.”

Regarding Frederic Yonnet Dave championed him saying:“Fred is one of this guys that is very fluent in the language of music. A man that’s so good at playing harp that another man that’s good at playing harp hired him.”

I admire Dave for speaking up when all around him would simply shut up and take the cheque.
Showing incredible tenacity, as so many successful multihyphenate behemoth peers do, in his early career he was picked up and dropped numerous times by TV companies but kept working the scene.

In 2003, he became more widely known for his comedy sketch television series, Chappelle’s Show, which ran until his retirement from the show two years later. By 2006, Dave was called “the comic genius of America” by Esquire and, in 2013, “the best” by a Billboard writer. To this day, his show continues to run in popular late-night syndication and on television networks around the world. The show parodies many aspects of American culture, including racial stereotypes, politics and pop culture. Along with comedy skits, the show also featured musical performances by mostly hip-hop and soul music artists.

Band member Frederic Yonnet performs at Dave Chappelle’s Juke Joint London.Photo copyright – Derrick Jones.

In the midst of all the success, an axe fell, in Dave’s heart. Season 3 was scheduled to air on May 31, 2005, but in that month, Chappelle stunned fans and the entertainment industry when he abruptly left during production of the third season of Chappelle’s Show and took a trip to South Africa.

Chappelle said that he was unhappy with the direction the show had taken. ‘’Coming here, I don’t have the distractions of fame. It quiets the ego down. I’m interested in the kind of person I’ve got to become. I want to be well rounded and the industry is a place of extremes. I want to be well balanced. I’ve got to check my intentions, man’’.

Immediately following Chappelle’s departure, tabloids quickly and repeatedly speculated that drug addiction or a mental health issue, rather than ethical or personal concerns drove Chappelle’s exit. In a later interview with Oprah, he expressed his contempt for the entertainment industry’s tone-deafness toward black entertainers and audiences: ‘’When I see that they put every black man in the movies in a dress at some point in their career, I start connecting the dots’’.

I always tell my young reporters three things;

1 – If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.
2 – He who is a pin is carrying pain.
3 – You are the average of the 5 people you spend most time with.

Dave encompasses these ideas. Key influencers and gatekeepers surrounded him as a child; his parents were politically active, and notable individuals visited the family house during his youth. In fact, it was American jazz singer Johnny Hartman who predicted he would be a comedian and, around this time, Chappelle’s comic inspiration came from Eddie Murphy and Richard Prior.

Chappelle then moved to NYC to pursue a career as a comedian and gathered the courage to perform at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theatre in front of the infamous “Amateur Night” audience, but he was booed off stage. He described the experience as the moment that gave him the courage to continue his show business aspirations and quickly made a name for himself on the New York comedy circuit, even performing in the city’s parks.

He converted to Islam in 1998 and told Time Magazine in 2005, “I don’t normally talk about my religion publicly because I don’t want people to associate me and my flaws with this beautiful thing. And I believe it is beautiful if you learn it the right way.”

Dave’s clearly a leader, not a follower, speaking up about discrepancies as they happen and unlike many wont just ‘take the cheque and sell out’’ if it doesn’t sit well within his psyche.

Dave – Your fans globally salute you!

On stage with Eddie and Robbie, Holby City and The Revs Jimmy Akingbola.
ALL HACKNEY EMPIRE PICTURES COPYRIGHT- Jenny Marquis-Brown.

On a balmy Sunday two weeks ago, GeeStor Productions invited me to their comedy & music fundraising gala at the Hackney Empire, SILI Time, in aid of the 4 charities my pals BBC London Presenter Eddie Nestor, actor Robbie Gee, their wife Lisa Nestor, manager & GeeStor CEO Sarah Moore & fitness instructor Dave McQueen were supporting, when they climb Africa’s highest mountain the mighty Kilimanjaro.

Peter Hunnigale & Tippa Irie.

With over 20 artists on the bill the show started promptly with the 1st act being my old friend and presenter from MTV Base – Kat B – who managed to have the crowd in stitches in the 5 minutes allocated to each performer. Hosted by Eddie and Robbie the acts came thick and fast with comedy from the don dada Curtis Walker, queens of comedy Glenda Jaxson, Angie Le Mar & Felicity Ethnic, rising star Axel Blake and so many more. The many excellent music acts included Aysha Loren, The Voice contestant Lara Lee, Peter Hunningale and Tippa Irie who brought the house down causing Axel Blake to comment ‘he must have been big back in your day’! MOBO Award winning saxophonist Yolanda Brown wowed the sell out audience with her version of Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud.

Eastenders and The Revs actress Ellen Thomas joins Eddie and Robbie onstage.

Celebrities who graced the stage on the night included Vanessa Feltz looking svelte and glam, as did her BBC colleague, the ever stylish Brenda Emmanus. Actors included Casualties’ Patrick Robinson, Holby & Rev’s Jimmy Akingbola, EastEnders stars Ellen Thomas & Angela Wynter, who informed us all of the great work the Rudolph Walker Foundation undertake with young people. Non Blond Jocelyn Jee Esien and Voice winner Jermain Jackman popped by, and the audience didn’t let him leave until he sang acapella for us.

Eddie makes it to the top of Mount Killamanjaro.

The night was closed by my favourite UK comic Slim, who had tears of laughter running down our faces. Overall it was a great night and the audience not only had 3 hours of top quality entertainment, but also left knowing they had supported 4 great causes.

The night raised over £10,000 for the Silimanjaro charities; the ACLT (African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust), MacMillan Cancer Research, Rudolph Walker Foundation and Urban Synergy, bringing the grand total raised to date to £30,000.

Silimanjaro was the brainchild of Eddie Nestor. Seven years ago he was diagnosed with the cancer Hodgkins Leukaemia. Whilst undergoing chemotherapy he made a promise with his maker that if he recovered he would raise monies for charity. He has already run the marathon, and completed a skydive, and this is his biggest adventure to date. Sadly Robbie Gee has had to pull out of the climb as he is filming ‘Frankenstein Chronicles’ for ITV alongside Sean Bean and assures me he doesn’t get killed in any of the 8 episodes.

This past week Eddie and his team succeeded in their Killamanjaro climb and my team and I want to wish them the biggest congratulations in the world!
Many people talk, but few act on changing life as we know it, and Eddie Nestor is a game changer.

Eddie, Sarah, Lisa and Dave- mission accomplished!

To find out more about the climb and how to support go to www.geestor.co.uk/Silimanjaro.

I needed a short trip away, with lots of hot sunshine, sea, sand, and fabulosity. Searching the usual travel sites like Expedia and lastmin.com I finally settled on Cannes. I’ve only ever frequently Cannes for MTV Movie work so usually fly in, hotel, shoot, party, no sleep, start all over again schedule for a few days, before returning to London like a flogged horse.

This time I vowed to do it in style. I was taking my mum and so a self-catering apartment or ‘economical hotel’ a little out of the way wasn’t an option for her 80-year-old legs and temperament. I decided only the best was good enough for the woman who had given me birth. So I didn’t look at the price and booked the infamous Carlton slap bang in the middle of the most famous film festival strip in the world, on what turned out to be a pretty good deal all things considered. The Carlton is the Palace to the stars and is the star of all the hotel palaces on offer. Every film legend you can name has stayed there as well as Princess Diana, Grace Kelly, Sharon Stone, Puff Daddy, Ronaldo and more. If only those walls could talk!

The Croisette is the beachfront strip of 3km of curve of the Cannes bay, lined with palms, hotels, designer boutiques, ocean liners and yachts. Day and night it’s the spot to see and be seen. The Carlton breakfast terrace is the best terrace on the whole of the Riviera, to watch the ocean and passers by stroll along the infamous fashion catwalk, otherwise known as the Croisette.

‎We only spent a week there but these were the ten things we were really struck by;
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The great thing is, that they looked great and were clearly as confident in their old age as in their youth – if not more. They were rocking wedge shoes, mini skirts, and strappy string vests. Je n’en crois pas mes yeux ! Initially it was a shock for my very British fashion-brainwashed brain to accept, but after a day or two I got it. You name the trend, these oldies were on it. Nothing was too much. Cannes old lady fashion is incredible. There are no ‘‘dressing for your age’’ rules out here. Wrinkles, veins and more are like life scars that no one bats an eyelid at. These oldies are strutting with sass and confidence.

2. Speaking of wedge shoes, this is THE footwear for all females strolling along around Cannes.

These women have pretty feet that won’t be ruined by trying that very British awkward stagger in really vertiginous heels. French femmes are lean and strong, built like racehorses and I’m convinced it’s their wedge shoe walking diet.

3. Another reason they may be lean and skinny is that French ladies smoke. A lot. All the skinny model-looking chic’s that were wearing shorts, vests and attitude usually had a fag hanging off their lips 24-7. Even whilst riding their mopeds. Especially whilst riding their mopeds. I’d love to see the French medical stats of smoking related illnesses.

4. Speaking of health, the French love to tan. In fact, in the same way that the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain, the tan in Cannes looks incredible on man or woman.

The sun is high in the sky and burning hot from 8am until well after 9pm, and on not one occasion did I spot anyone on their beaches using sun cream! This could be why most of the white folk I observed out there had tanned so dark they resembled someone wearing blackface. The irony of a country that is stereotyped as being racist but they’re craving to be dark.

5. Instead of spending my money flying to far off exotic destinations its much more economical to get a cheap flight to Cannes (Nice airport), and spend the rest of your money on a great hotel or activities.
Also, once you get to Cannes, there’s loads of free stuff to do. Day and night the Croisette is like a live, free fashion catwalk with lovers walkers, rollerbladers, scooter flippers, cyclists and more doing their thing.

Also there is so much free art by the likes of Salvador Dali and Matisse just placed outside buildings for you to take in.


All the tourist spots where the famous Cannes film festival takes place are access-all-areas so you too can pose on the same spot as your favourite film icon or place your hands in their handprint walk of fame!

6. Unlike most popular cities there are no tour buses in Cannes. Instead they have a very cute, olde worlde ‘’Petit train’’ that will take you on tours through the old town and cinema locations for €10 an hour.

The Cannes city street layout is like New York pretty easy to get to grips with. Its not a grid system as such but the roads are laid out in distinct shopping, eating and business districts so very easy to familiarize yourself with in a day.

7. Unlike all the tacky tourist beaches across the world where you’re hassled to buy pineapple or braid your hair, Cannes beaches are on a whole different level of opulence.

Here a photographer accompanied by his assistant holding a giant beauty light and tripod will do a full on glamour shoot for you in the ocean. Awkwardly they’ll do it without asking your permission then try and sell you ‘’ze lovely picture’’ of you looking like a bright red beached whale. Non-merci ami.

Also lithe, tanned young ladies carrying bags of sexy bikinis and lace beachwear will plop themselves down in front of you and change into every garment in their bags and parade up and down like a fashion show trying to tempt you into buying their wears. Of course I succumbed, but then wondered why the sexy black bikini I purchased didn’t make me look like the same sizzling siren I had brought it from.

8. The beaches are a point of contention but needn’t be. Basically on the main strip, each section of beach is owned by the hotel it sits opposite. You have to pay to sit on this beach EVEN if you are a paying hotel guest.

The Carlton charges most for its pier, then its front row on the sand and also half days.

Generally, each five star hotel, charges a selection of sliding scale rates for different spots. C’est naze!

You can even buy a real bed on the beach to show how fabulous and wealthy you are and that you just throw yor money away!Laisse tomber…

Its outrageous, but just a few meters down the Croisette are totally free public beaches, which are exactly the same but without the snobby folk, attitude and cost. And much better for people watching.

9. The 5 star hotels are expensive. But for the cash that you’re saving on flights its well worth it. From the beautiful rooms with small touches like beautifully made beds and top quality bedding, to great branded beauty products in the bathroom, a retractable, discreet washing line in the bathroom, a free daily newspaper and all your needs met. Their breakfast may be around £30 per person, per day, but it’s a kings feast buffet with full English breakfast, a pastry bar, antipasti bar, nespresso and champagne on tap.

YOU CAN EVEN WATCH COUPLES TAKING MILLIONS OF PHOTOS FOR HOURS WHILST EATING BREKKY!.

We made sure to make the most of this and lined our stomachs well so that lunch wasn’t needed. I even spotted other guests sneaking fruit, pastries and more into their handbags. I felt a euphoric high on paying €10 for a pot of tea with silk tea bags and €20 for a sliced watermelon presented on a silver platter. I did snigger in disgust at myself as I stroked the silk tea bag that I steeped my daily pot of tea with.

10. One of the best things about Cannes is wherever you are at any time of the day you can take a seat. There are seats in public everywhere.

All along the Croisette are metal bright blue seats that can be moved into pairs or groups depending on the size of your group.

You can place them facing the sea or inwards facing the twinkling palm trees on the road and watch the pink lit up street all night.

How quaint! In the UK I guarantee these would be nicked and sold for scrap metal. ‎Even on the high street full of shops, there are seats everywhere attached to the bottom of lampposts. It’s these little touches that make life so much more sociable and easy on the Riviera. Ça vous dit?