BIG BEAR NEWS MARCH 2009
Big Bear Music Group Based In Birmingham Since 1968
Birmingham Home To
U.K’s Longest Established Independent Recording CompanyBirmingham’s recording company Big Bear Records are currently celebrating their
40th anniversary. Probably the longest established independent record label in the U.K, Big Bear has been at the forefront of Jazz, Swing and Blues since 1968. The Company was named by the legendary radio presenter,
John Peel, who thought the gait of the label’s founder,
Jim Simpson, resembled that of a bear. The label grew out of Simpson’s production company, which had steered
Black Sabbath through the first three- and best- albums of their career. Initially recording
U.S. bluesmen, the repertoire expanded to include British and American jazz and swing musicians and an impressive portfolio of Birmingham bands
Big Bear Artists on the RoadBrand leaders in Jump, Jive and Swing,
King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys can be seen and heard at
Keele University[March 6], Mill at Sonning [8], The Robin, Bilston [19] Fire Station, Windsor[21], Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury [27] and at
Judges in Yarm [28]. Suddenly everyone is talking about Preston-based
Tipitina who continue dispensing their own brand of New Orleans Blues, Boogie and Barrelhouse at
Seven Artspace, Leeds [March 13] and at the
Platform, Morecambe [28] . Hot Sinti Gypsy combo
Nomy Rosenberg Trio feature at
De Zevensprong, Rotterdam [March 13] and at the
Turku Jazz Festival [14]. While Big Bear stablemates, purveyors of New Breed swing,
The Doctor Teeth Big Band play The
Jam House, Birmingham[March 19] and the
Gala Theatre Durham [21] . Big Bear bookings at
The Public in West Bromwich line up as
The Fabulous Boogie Boys [7], Tom Hill Trio[8], Sandwell Youth Jazz Orchestra[15], The Toy Hearts[21], Steve Pacitto Band[22] and
Judith Haustein from Germany [29].Birmingham’s Record Company Inks Distribution Deal for France-and Extends In Six Other Territories As a result of a successful Midem 2009, Big Bear Records have signed exclusive CD distribution for France with
Codaex Distribution of Medan. Ten CD Titles have shipped for the initial wave of French releases on the Birmingham label, including albums by big-selling local swing, rhythm and blues combo
King Pleasure & the Biscuit Boys and the latest recordings by
Tipitina, Django’s Castle with Bruce Adams and
The Nomy Rosenberg Trio. At the same time, Big Bear Records confirm that their exclusive distribution deals have been extended for Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg with
Dee2 Records of Weese, Holland and for Germany, Austria and Switzerland with
H’art Musik of Marl, Germany.
Dates Announced For Birmingham International Jazz FestivalThe Birmingham International Jazz Festival will celebrate its
25th anniversary from
July 3rd to 12th 2009. Europe’s biggest free Jazz party is expected to attract over
115,000 jazz fans to this city, creating a considerable spend in the city’s retail and leisure sectors. The Credit Squeeze will positively affect the event, with more British holidaymakers deterred by the weak pound and seeking interesting U.K alternatives, and the increase of inbound foreign tourism to the U.K, taking advantage of the increased value of their Dollars and Euros. 200 events are planned over the ten days with 90% of them free to the public.
Spanish and Dutch Gypsy Attractions Sign to Birmingham’s LabelBucking the general trend to cutback on CD releases, Big Bear Records have pulled off what is widely considered a to be a coup in international jazz terms with the signing of leading Gypsy attractions from Holland and Spain.
The Nomy Rosenberg Trio are arguably the most important gypsy combo of the last decade and seem to carry the musical hopes of the entire
Sinti Gypsy nation.
Eindhoven-based Nomy Rosenberg, a direct descendant from
Django Reinhardt, has been playing major concerts and festivals since he was eleven as rhythm guitarist in brother Jimmy’s band. He played a sell-out
Carnegie Hall concert in New York with
George Benson when he was 15, and has since performed with
Stevie Wonder, Les Paul and Eric Clapton. This will be the first CD under his name.
Django’s Castle from Barcelona have been at the forefront of Spanish Gypsy Swing for a decade, with leader
Pere Soto in demand worldwide, featuring in Mexico and the U.S.A and as a soloist with
The Bolivian Symphony Orchestra, performing his own compositions. Their new CD release on Big Bear Records
“Swing Hotel Du Vin” was recorded live during the
2008 Birmingham International Jazz Festival and sees them teamed with top U.K trumpet star,
Bruce Adams. Bruce won the
2008 British Jazz Award for Best TrumpetMusical Chairs-Staff Movement at Big Bear TowersHead of International
Lea Rodoz has returned to her native France, after a successful term at Big Bear where she set up and managed distribution and agency across six European territories. Her replacement,
Pierre-Henri Loupias, takes up post on March 16.
Dale Grinsell has settled in to the newly created role as Head of Digital since his arrival in early February.
For further information please contact Jim Simpson at Big Bear Music, PO Box 944, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8UT. Tel: 0121 454 7020 Fax: 0121 454 9996 Email: admin@bigbearmusic.com
The smooth, mellow sounds of Petra Ernyei brought out the sun and welcomed the crowds to yesterday's Taste of Birmingham at Cannon Hill Park. You couldn't move in the Slug and Lettuce at lunchtime as Art Themen played to a wonderfully appreciative audience.
Highly recommended today is Petra Ernyei (pictured, left, at Taste of Birmingham). She brings her high-class delivery to Hotel du Vin at 1pm, with her final show at the Slug and Lettuce at 6pm. Also recommended are Katya Gorrie, playing the Round Room, Museum and Art Gallery at 2pm, and Tipitina at Living Room 4pm.
