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July News – John Aparicio, Gill Manly & Geoff Gascoyne join Book me! Book me!
Posted on July 29, 2010

June and July have been extremely exciting and busy times for Book me! Book me!

June and July have been extremely exciting and busy times for Book me! Book me! with some significant additions to our fantastic roster of musicians and photographers.

The vastly experienced photographer John Aparicio has joined our team. I first worked with John on the short film ‘The Road to Endsworthy’ which I wrote and produced with Director Tim O’Sullivan (another of photographer on the team at Book me! Book me!) in 2007. In this film John was displaying his film camera expertise.  John’s fantastic still photography work benefits from his unique approach to his subject matter and creative eye, allowing him to produce outstanding images, whether capturing corporate portraits or imaginative advertising briefs. John’s work can be viewed on our website via the following link;

http://www.bookmebookme.co.uk/photographers/john-aparicio

Gill Manly, the incredible London based jazz, blues and soul vocalist has joined our fabulous selection of leading vocalists alongside our other stellar names, which include Claire Martin, Barb Jungr, Mari Wilson and Todd Gordon. After a seven year absence pursuing a variety of endeavours, 2007 saw Gilly return to the British Jazz scene in style. Gill’s tribute to Nina Simone, the album ‘With a Song in My Heart’, has won outstanding acclaim and is a must for all lovers of Jazz. Sell out live performances across the country, including residencies at Ronnie Scott’s, have reintroduced Gill to many old fans and a host of new admirers. If you get the chance, go check Gill out in one of her live performances. Samples of Gill Manly’s work can be found on our website via the following link;

http://www.bookmebookme.co.uk/performers/gill-manly

Geoff Gascoyne, one of the bass playing stars of the British Jazz scene, has also joined the team at Book me! Book me!. Geoff released his most recent album ‘Pop-Bop’ last year. It contains a fantastic collection of some of pop music’s classic hits by artists as diverse as Diana Ross, Cat Stevens, James Taylor and Take That, all given Geoff’s original jazz interpretation and re-working. After six years touring the world with Jamie Callum, Geoff is back focusing on his new band, featuring the Australian alto sax player Graeme Blevins and fellow Callum contributor Sebastiaan de Krom on drums. Audio samples of the album can be found on Geoff Gascoyne’s page on our website and keep an eye out for his fabulous trio touring the UK.

http://www.bookmebookme.co.uk/performers/geoff-gascoyne

In other areas I’ve been busying myself with the launch of the Brighton based singer songwriter Murray Hughes, AKA ‘Go Moan for Man’. Alongside producers and musicians Ashley Slater and Kristian Booth, we are managing Murray Hughes and looking forward to the release of the Ashley Slater produced first album later in the year. With strong interest already from a US distributor, Murray looks to be a star in the making. Watch out for upcoming gigs in and around B-Right-On. ‘Go Moan For Man’ can be heard on his Myspace page via the following link;

http://www.myspace.com/gomoanforman

Three other Brighton bands/acts have caught my attention recently and if you get the chance to catch them live you won’t be disappointed. The quirky pop combination ‘The Beautiful Word’ bring a sense of fun and summer frivolity to their live performances. The indie/folk/alt-country band ‘The Black Hats’ impressed me a recent live performance and will be on my list of must sees acts in the coming months. Finally Katarina Holmberg, a Swedish-Finnish vocalist, who appears with a number of combinations and sings soulful jazz, blues, pop and funk has some great pipes and is well worth seeing live. Katarina will be joining our musicians on Book me! Book me! Book me! this month.

http://www.myspace.com/thebeautifulword

http://www.myspace.com/blackhatsmusic

http://www.myspace.com/katarinasings

Many of us involved in the music and jazz industry were very saddened by the sudden death of Chris Dagley. Chris died when he tragically crashed his motorbike whilst driving home from Ronnie Scott’s in the early hours of July 28th.  An incredible talent, Chris had played with music super stars such as Lionel Richie and Take That and was a star of the British Jazz scene. Chris played in the Ronnie’s house band and as the drummer for British Jazz Vocalist Claire Martin. Our thoughts go out to his partner and three children. Chris will be sadly missed.

Hugh

 

 

 

 

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So what does a photo shoot involve?
Posted on May 7, 2010

Last Thursday saw myself and Book me! Book me!

Last Thursday saw myself and Book me! Book me! photographer Tim O’Sullivan scooting around Brighton and the surrounding areas on a photo shoot for the musician Murray Hughes.

Murray is a great new singer/songwriter based in Brighton, whose alter ego is, ‘Go Moan for Man’.  His upcoming debut album is being produced by Ashley Slater. Ashley and Kristian Booth from Iconical Music and I are doing some work with Murray to help get his career launched and his album out to the wider world. Murray combines a folk/pop/ambient/electronica style of music and his new album has a group of very lush, sensitive, lyrically intelligent tracks.

http://www.myspace.com/gomoanforman

What does a professional photo shoot entail? Many musicians are limited by budget and end up with their mate, an SLR and some passable pictures at the local park!  It certainly helps to have an old pro (he’ll love that description) like Tim O’Sullivan involved. Tim has being garnering professional praise for his style of photography for decades now – check out his work in our photography section or visit his site - http://www.timosullivan.co.uk/ .  He's photographed celebrities, world leaders, famous folk and people he just found interesting. For me Tim’s eye for a good shot comes from his understanding how the slightest variation in an expression can alter a photo and give it a unique sense of meaning, and an ability to communicate what he wants with his subject matter, which sets him apart. That and the fact he knows some great spots around town for a good cup of worker's tea! 

The first step in the process was to get Tim and Murray together the day previous to discus ideas and locations. Tim is adamant that the planning process is vital in any assignment. As is the photographer getting an understanding of the subject matter and the core of what the images will be used for.  Charging in and snapping away in random locations can turn up some gold - but more often then not it just fills your memory card with a host of unusable shite. So after a great meeting exchanging ideas, Tim and Murray set off in different directions to scout a selection of spots in and around Brighton. That evening the short list of where to shoot was decided. The idea was to not be too clichéd, keep the shots generic for both UK and US markets, and avoid crowds/cars/interference/overly inquisitive farm animals/fluorescent blue rubbish bins along the way.

Shooting in outdoor locations is very weather dependent, so a nice hazy overcast day, without it being too dull was a great start. The first of many caffeine-fuelled drinks were consumed at the Rottingdean Café and we were ready to get the first shots in this strangely US diner like location.  With windows allowing lots of light to flood in everything was perfect – except for a late breakfast crowd deciding to join us.

So we were off to the Marina car park for some desolate concrete backdrops. Next we charged off to the “Road to no-where” on the South Downs Way. Great shoots of Murray with the road disappearing into the distance. A quick chat with a couple of local farmers – including a 92-year-old Sheppard with his trusty sheepdogs. Off next to Shoreham beach, back to the Rottingdean Café to find the post lunch crowd was still about, off to another a Woodingdean café, then back to the Rottingdean Café where finally with some gentle persuasion, we were able to move a few patrons and get some great pictures Tim was happy with.

So a day and a half later and 600 odd clicks of the camera by Tim and we're done! Well not quite - another couple of days of editing and photoshoping by Tim - playing around with colour levels and black & white versions and the like. Tim then selects his top 30 odd images - runs them all in colour and B&W and we all get involved in a couple of viewings to all narrow down the best images, throwing out the ones where Murray looks a little Will Young like. Now we've ended up with four or five great shots to use as promotional and publicity purposes.  

I’ll post some pictures up on the Book me! Book me! Fan page in the coming weeks - with possible straw poll to see which ones everybody think work the best - prize is a cup of tea at the Rottingdean Cafe!. Now for the next part for Ash, Kristian and myself – get as many people in the world listening to Go Moan for Man’s music!!! Can't wait the man can sing!  

Until next time enjoy yourselves out there!

Cheers Hugh 

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Welcome to Book me! Book me! the corporate entertainment and event entertainment agency based in the UK....

Book me! Book me! is a boutique booking agency supplying the highest quality corporate and event entertainment, musicians, jazz musicians, photographers and filmmakers for your corporate events, concerts, private parties, festivals, trade shows, fundraisers, weddings, product launches, special events of any type and any requirement. 

We work with the best musicians, performers, photographers and film makers to make your event memorable. We specialise in providing some of the best British Jazz bands and musicians. We pride ourselves on, whether you're an international business or private client, on providing great event entertainment and photography services in London, throughout the UK and internationally .

For an entertainment event you can have Book me! Book me! contract the talent on your behalf, or act as a producer and handle the entire performance aspect of your event.

Book me! Book me! also supplies top class professional photographers for everything from your event photography needs, to advertising briefs, corporate portraits to creating great publicity shots.  Our event photographers specialise in onsite print on demand photography and can even supply instant prints for you and your guests. Or if you’d like the event or occasion filmed we can organize that as well.

We do all the work so you get to concentrate on the business at hand. Once you have an idea of how you would like to proceed, or if you need assistance with ideas that fit your attending demographic, event type, or business requirement, submit one of our inquiry forms or give us a call and Book me! Book me! will help you investigate the best options within your individual budget.

Do you need help with any of these?

Corporate Events

Book me! Book me! provides unique, high quality corporate entertainment and event solutions. Whether you are looking to launch a new product or just throw a party for clients, we can make your event special. We can provide performers of the highest calibre as well as record your event via photos and film for posterity. 

Event Photography

Book me! Book me! are event photography specialists. Whether you just want a record of your special occasion or would like your guests to take home a lasting memento, we can tailor a solution for you and your budget.    

Concerts

Book me! Book me! provides unique, high quality performers for concerts throughout Great Britain and Europe. Our musicians and performers are some of the best in their fields and will make any live performance special. 

Film your event

Book me! Book me! provide a host of film options to record your corporate event, special occasion, party, wedding or celebration.

Parties & Weddings

Our experienced photographers, performers and filmmakers will help you make your celebration memorable. Whatever your budget or requirements we will assist you in finding the perfect solution.

Special Events

Book me! Book me! will provide memorable entertainment and all your photographic requirements for any special occasion or event.