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Gail Ford

About Me

My Jazz Story

My jazz story. Ah, yes. Supposed it started as a kid, when I listened/watched anything my parents did—they liked swing, smooth jazz, Gershwin, Astaire & Rogers films, Hoagy Carmichael, Ray Noble, Glenn Miller, etc, etc. I played by ear, on piano, anything I heard that I liked, which included a lot of jazz standards. When I took up the oboe, a new chapter in the story began, and I now play jazz, Latin, soul, blues, fusion/crossover and just anything that appeals. Chet Baker, Peter Skellern, Ray Noble, Quintet of the Hot Club of France, anything with a jazz/blues/country tinge to it. Also artists like Diana Krall, Billy Joel, Dean Friedman and many others who have a jazz fusion, blues, rock and whatever vibe - they've been part of the story too, and I'm so grateful. And, thanks to all the above, and folk like Scott Stroman, Dave Gale and Jean Toussaint for heading up the Guildhall School of Music's jazz summer school, I've learned more, played more, and now write my own stuff. I love jazz because it's helped me find who and where I want to be, and my jazz story is—still growing! Still learning, and still discovering new sounds and new ideas - a never-ending story, and thank God for that. The only fly in my oboe ointment is that I'm still looking for a keys (or possibly guitar?) partner, and a drummer, to form a retro jazz combo. Tried & advertised every where I can think of, but so far, my little face is still pressed to the window, in hope.

My House Concert Story

Channelling my inner Bob Marley, I go jammin...