Hangin’ Out In Chappells

I went to Chappells music store yesterday to pick up a few books to help me on my jazz crusade when I started chatting with a chap called Pete Robinson by the improvisation theory section. Pete was a great chap who’s been coming to Chappells since he was a lad (when it was based in a different part of London) and he gave me some great advice on books for improving Licks. He also pointed me towards some great London gig scenes that I should check out.

Funnily enough whilst we were talking another guy came over to chat with us both called Steve Brown, a new York jazz guitarist. He was passing through London to give a lecture before going to gig in Edinburough. He proceeded to recommend some books to us both – Whilst flicking through the selection he was throwing away comments about the authors like; oh he’s a friend of mine, I’ve given him a few lessons, we used to be in a small band together etc. It was great!!

My quick visit ended up taking the better part of an hour and costing me 4 times what I’d intended to spend. 🙂

Pete told me some great anecdotes. He told me about one of his contemporaries actually owning a shed called "Wood Shed" and when his family go to bed at night be goes out and Wood Shed’s is licks in his Wood Shed 😀

I’m hoping to see Pete again at Ronnie Scott’s at some point.