Funnily enough Rob asked me to drop in on 'Heaven in a Wildflower''s rehearsal at the Dockside studios on Monday. I was only able to manage the last half an hour as Sue had the car at work and I had to walk there (it's about half a mile, across the footbridge) carrying my Joe Pass semi-acoustic (Epiphone Emperor) and my small practice amp.

They were going great guns when I got there. Amy the vocalist sounded and looked good. They were disappointed I hadn't brought my bass but I told them I wanted to put it to one side for a year and see what happened. I said to Ben I could play deep and growly rhythm but he said 'There's only deep and growly rhythm in this band and I play it!'

But a lot has happened since. We have a rehearsal tonight which may be the last for 'No Frontiers' - in its current form.

Shirley (vocals) told Ben (guitar) that she wanted to do jazz (instead of 'Soul, blues and jazz covers') and would reform the band with Steve (drums) me (bass) and Mary (keyboards/piano) - effectively without him (Ben). She said he sounded disappointed 'but not that disappointed'.

In jazz bands the vocalist tends to look to the pianist to cue in and manage the arrangements. I don't think Mary would be able to do that effectively - her strengths lie elsewhere, such as in her very strong sight-reading.

Therefore I will tell Shirley I don't want to do it. Tonight. In the Orchard pub, opposite the Dockside rehearsal studios, where we normally go for a drink after rehearsal.

See my related posts on our MySpace website about Singing and Tromboning:

http://www.myspace.com/nofrontiersbristol