A reflection of Simon’s 2008
Starting out the year working front of house at the Palace Theatre, London, it was really hard for me not being able to use the time usefully and efficiently. Whenever I had the opportunity to escape management and the punters, I snuck off to the cupboard under the stairs to work on my music.
The good news I had received at that time was that I had been nominated for an Indy award for Best Male Solo Act 2008. With the votes from family, friends and fans, I became a Finalist and was invited to the awards ceremony, hoping to be the winner. It was then up to a group of selected judges. I didn’t win, but was in the final four, out of 120,000 artists. The Ceremony was televised and results announced on Rock World TV. www.indyawards.co.uk
‘The Joy’s’ of working as an Usher/attendant came to an end when I was offered a dancing role with the English National Opera in ‘The Merry Widow’. Anthony Van Laast, the choreographer, had just finished working on the new Mamma Mia movie. Whilst I was working for him he asked me if I would like to be in the new Harry Potter movie ‘The Half Blood Prince’. This involved working in a heavy troll costume, and dancing during the credits and in the tapestries around Hogwarts. After many wardrobe fittings, the film company cut the scenes due to budget constraints.
After ‘Harry’, summer arrived and I joined Helen Parlor’s dance company as the male lead in ‘Forbidden’, a site-specific piece in the grounds of Goodrich Castle, Hereford. We rehearsed and performed in the open and exposed to the elements. We went running most mornings and attended dance classes, so I was starting to get fit, when I hurt my back doing some of the aerial work. It was so frustrating being unable to perform some the aerial work that I had trained so hard for.
At the same time as rehearsing I was asked to write a folk song for the show with a real medieval feel named ‘I’m Alive’. This was based on the love story which took place in the castle grounds during the battle of the Cavaliers and the Roundheads.
It was a great experience with an opportunity of working with some really lovely people, including my hero Barry Ganberg, a musician from the Ballet Rambert School where I trained as a dancer.
Following the shows I started pretty much straightaway with Natasha Gilmore’s ‘The Blank Album’ see www.gilmoreproductions.co.uk This piece required me to play the guitar, sing, dance, and even do standup comedy! The Blank Album is an abstract insight of a rock and roll band and the trials and tribulations that they go through. It really is a unique production and is something to experience first hand. We’ve performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, The Latitude and Belladrum festivals, and toured all over the UK. We will be touring again in February 2009.
The Blank Album Tour 9th February, Garrison Theatre, Shetland, 01595 692 114, www.shetland.org 10th March, Arena, Wolverhampton, 01902 321321, www.wlv.ac.uk/arena 11th March, The Lowry, Salford, Nr. Manchester, 0870 787 5780, www.thelowry.com 12th March, The Brindley, Runcorn, Cheshire, 0151 907 8360, www.thebrindley.org.uk 17th March, Old Town hall, Hemel Hempstead, 01442 228091, www.dacorum.gov.uk/arts 19th March, Salisbury Arts Centre, 01722 321744, www.salisburyartscentre.co.uk 20th March, Swindon Dance, 01793 601700, www.swindondance.org.uk 21st March, The Vauxhall Tavern, Duckie, 020 7737 4043, www.duckie.co.uk 23rd March, Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, S. Wales, 01443 485934, www.theatre-wales.co.uk 17th April, MacRobert Arts Centre, Stirling, 01786 466 666, www.macrobert.stir.ac.uk 2nd May, Derby Dance and Arc Theatre, Trowbridge, 01332 370 911, www.derbydance.co.uk 6th May, The Place Theatre, Spring Loaded, London, 020 7121 1100, www.theplace.org.uk 7th May, Southill Park, Bracknell, 01344 484123, www.southhillpark.org.uk 14th May, The Ark Trowbridge, 0845 299 0476, www.arctheatre.org.uk 16th May, The Electric Palace, Bridport, 01308 428354, www.electricpalace.org.uk
In the pipe line for 2009:
‘Fair Trade Records’ are interested in releasing Simon Jaymes on a compilation album which will be distributed by Universal. Sharon Dean from ‘Respect Music’ is interested in publishing his music Deuce Management will be plugging Simon to radio Station’s all over the UK including BBC FM Radio stations.
Current News:
Simon Jaymes is currently organising, co producing and recording his debut album, which will be released under his own Label. There will also be an animation to one of his songs. To find out more and to receive the launch dates for the animation/video, album release and launch Party, Go to www.simonjaymes.com If you have not already registered, then please join the mailing list at this site where he can keep you posted on all gigs and releases. Also you can help support Simon by forwarding this letter and becoming a friend/fan on www.myspace.com/simonjaymesmusic and www.facebook.com/pages/SimonJaymes/39274894951
Future Gigs this January 2009!
The Bedford Balham, 77 Bedford Hill, Balham, London, SW12 9HD, Cost: FREE ENTRY! Simon Jaymes and Adam Drake Live! Nearest Tube: Balham. THURSDAY – 15 Jan 2009 – 8:00pm
The Regal Room, The Distillers, 64 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 9PH Cost: Free! Simon Jaymes and Adam Drake Live! Nearest tube: Hammersmith. FRIDAY – 23 Jan 2009 – 8:30pm
