SKIP “little Axe” McDonald/SUMAYA/MARTIN JOHNSON QUARTET
THE BRENTWOOD MUSIC WEEKEND
Sometimes you have guests in the studio that you gel with immediately, their enthusiasm and passion makes you think you can take on the world. This is how you feel when you meet Tony Morrison, who is the guy behind THE BRENTWOOD MUSIC WEEKEND.
When Tony arrived at the studio we were treated to samples of blues legend Skip “Little Axe” McDonald – great recordings but the difference between these acts and so many out there is all these acts are superb live. They capture the audience as soon as they begin to play. I was fortunate enough to manage to get a ticket to see SUMAYA perform to a packed out Brentwood Theatre. SUMAYA perform Spanish Music, consisting of spanish box (drums), guitar, vocals and two dancers. The musicianship was truly inspiring and the dancing.. well it just amazed me. The speed at which the two dancers moved their feet, which are in time with the drums, made you exhausted to watch. When they finished their set they did so to rapturous applause. A memorable evening and I highly recommend going to see them (check out the website for more details). I had friends who went along on Sunday night to see The Martin Johnson Quartet and their feedback was “brilliant… just awesome”.
Tony is hoping to make this an annual event and after last weekend’s amazing performances it should be. Check out Tony’s website for up and coming shows. www.easternroots.co.uk
ARTIST DETAIL.
Skip “Little Axe” McDonald – Blues Legend https://www.little-axe.com/
Sumaya – Flamenco Flava https://www.sumaya.co.uk/
Martin Johnson Quartet – All Star Latin Jazz https://www.martinjohnsonb3.com/
Tony Morrison become involved in the live music industry back in 1986 promoting concerts and managing bands leading him to work with such artists like The Inspiral Carpets and James and then going on to become involved in the ‘Madchester’ scene.
Somehow, somewhere he fell into the UK Latin scene and was one of the creators of the Latin Promoters Network (LPN), an organisation set up to produce UK tours for international artists. The LPN went on to produce tours throughout the nineties working with the likes of Manalito, Ricardo Lemvo, Wayne Gorbea, Alfredo De LaFe and the Latin legend Eddie Palmieri
This network evolved into what is now Live Roots and the work continues producing tours for not just Latin, but Afro-Caribbean and African artists, where the organisation is credited in having produced the first tour for Tinariwen.
A move down south led to the founding of eastern roots and he has then since brought to Colchester the likes of: Daby Toure, Julian Marley, Johnny Polanco, Mikey Dread, Los Amigos Invisibles, Abbysinians, Johnny Clarke, Dillinger, Shri, Tony Allen, Palop Africa, Morgan Heritage, Modeste Hughes, Justin Adams, Adriano Adewale, Done To The Bone and Sumaya
Along with promoting concerts, Tony manages a number of projects working in partnership with the likes of Essex County Council, Arts Council England as well as numerous local authorities across Essex
