Welcome to my blog for the latest news and journals of my adventures. In the sidebar, find posts listed by Categories or Tags, or use keywords in the search bar. Browse posts about classes and workshops, read snippets of personal accounts of gigs, find out about my progress on projects... capture a glimpse into my life as a polymath.
Best wishes,
Annette
‘Swinging at The Cotton Club’ is the action-packed show celebrating the music, dance, and songs of the Cotton Club – New York City’s legendary nightclub of the 1920s and ‘30s.
I joined the cast as a guest solo tap dancer back in 2016 and have performed in a number of shows up and down the UK including London’s Cadogan Hall in 2017 and 2019. I’m not in every show but keep an eye out on my social media for announcements of tour dates I’ll be joining.
The London Tap Jam is at a new location and under new management since 2022. Visit London Tap Jam for the latest.
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A lovely gig at Folklore with my music friend Devaki Thomas and her indie band with a psychedelic roots rock sound from southeast London Stunflower.
One Dance UK hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the House of Commons on 7 December 2017.
I was invited to perform at the event with Gary Crosby (Artistic Director of Tomorrow’s Warriors). We had just recently started working together and included our newly arranged duet of Cute in our set.
To our pleasant surprise it turned out we were the only live entertainment for the evening and closed the business of the meeting before enjoying socialising with the members.
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Bloom National Festival of Dance of the African Diaspora 2017
The Bloom National Festival explores and celebrates dance from Africa and its diaspora through performances, film, open workshops and discussions.
On 4th August I took part in a panel discussion for One Dance UK’s, Bloom Festival event, An Evening of Jazz – Dance and Music
at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre (London, UK).
The expert panel of artists included: Dr Sheron Wray, Annette Walker, Jreena Green, Sean Graham, Gary Nurse, Joyce Gyimah and Gary Crosby OBE
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From September 2016 I’ll start tutoring my first lessons in piano/keyboard at I-Play Music centre in Surrey. After many early years of classical piano study and later years studying and playing jazz, pop, gospel and other styles I’m excited to be able to pass on and share my continuously growing knowledge and experience with others. Working with musical artistic development centre founder and director, Myke, I’ll be preparing students for their next Grade exams and assisting with the end of summer term Concert and Presentation Day in July 2017.
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I’ll be teaching intermediate to advance level tap dance classes as part of the Discover Jazz Dance programme of Dance Physics at Lewisham Southwark College.
The Discover Jazz Dance programme aims to educate and develop new discourse on the Jazz dance genre. Practical classes explore a range of techniques and is aimed at developing Jazz dancers and lovers alike, come and experience the wonder and magic of Jazz Dance.
See the sound. Feel the Movement. Uncover the conversations between music and emotion through choreography and improvisation. (Fall Out, Old Kent Road)
In January 2015 I joined the Old Kent Road tap company as pianist for their debut performance of Fall Out at The Place’s annual festival Resolution! on Thursday 12th February 2015.
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2020 update: The WTW Big Band was renamed the CB Johnson Big Band in 2019 in honour of the late CB Johnson who was an integral member of the music community. See the Facebook page for footage of past gigs and information on their upcoming events.
It’s always a pleasure to play keys for the lovely community WTW Big Band. I first played a guest number with the supporting WTW Jazz Band (a.k.a the small band) a few years ago and have since “dep’d” (filled in/cover) on piano for several of the big band gigs. It’s been my introduction and education in playing with a big band and has come with many challenges, most notably fast sight-reading!
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