Just today we have confirmed that we are to feature in a new ad for a very famous drink! Haven't the faintest idea who I'm allowed to tell and who I'm not, so probably best not blurt out what the drink is on this particular forum. Some people read this apparently! It's all rather sudden as we shoot it tomorrow. There are a couple of versions to be made. One with us getting out of a car, one with us actually playing. All under the soundtrack of 'His Nibs'. The track that a journalist described as (whilst I was buying him a drink)..."that track you only have to hear once". I think the word 'hear' rescued that sentence!
I'm really looking forward to the filming now it's upon us. And the drink itself does happen to be a big favourite of the bands... No honestly! With a history of really cool ads. So what possessed them etc...??!

I've posted a live version of 'She Eats' Flies' on our myspace page. Performed in Rabat, Morocco. It's got a certain something about it and the crowd are definitely part of the performance. www.myspace.com/neilcowleytrio.

There's also a rumour that I'm to be given a camera by the BBC for November's London Jazz Festival in a roving reporter type way. Free tickets to all gigs and access to dressing rooms. Are Showaddywaddy playing?

Cleethorpes was fun. One of those Jazz weekender much like the Blues weekenders I have experienced in the past. Set on a holiday camp with fairly interesting cuisine. What really summed up the spirit of true British 'Hi De Hi' was the announcement that the kitchens would be closing at 7pm. Just in time for dinner. I feared for our survival in such an environment. A lot of people present that one wouldn't necessarily expect to enjoy our set. Or that's what we thought. Until we actually got on stage and realised that they'd seemingly been waiting for something like us to come along. Apart from the usual elderly drum casualties who left to complain to Ruth Madoc we were treated to a really warm response.  After the show one kind chap said in a thick Brummy accent.... "that was the best thing all weekend.. The rest was a shower of s**t!" Not that I was in any position to agree with him and I'm sure he was misguided, but his delivery made us laugh enough to report it on here. Thanks Cleethorpes. An unexpected pleasure!

The first 100 entrants with the correct answer will win up to 5 tickets to the gig. Please read the terms and conditions below... They are very important!! Here is the question.......

Q: Which prehistoric animal features on the Blog page of our website?

Please provide the answer with up to 5 full names, mobile numbers and email addresses by email to info@neilcowleytrio.com. iTunes will contact winners directly by email with the tickets.

Competition closes 14th July...

www.ituneslive.co.uk

Terms and conditions:-

1. Prizes will be distributed to UK residents over the age of 18 only.
2. Prizes are not for resale, and are not redeemable in whole or in part for cash.
3. Winners will be required to attend the Venue, with proof of identification, by 19.30 HRS on the day of the Event, in order to claim their Prizes.
4. The Event may be filmed, so Winners may be recorded and filmed, and have their voices and likenesses used in recordings and films for commercial purposes on a worldwide royalty free basis.
5. The management reserve the right to refuse admission to the Venue.
6. We will not be liable in the event that the advertised artist or the Event itself is cancelled.
7. Winners must comply with all rules and regulations of the Venue. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the Prize.

Jazz World Stage

Saturday

Making the move from a jazz club stage to fields of revellers with broader tastes is never an easy transition, but the Neil Cowley Trio stepped up to the plate beautifully. If you haven't got a wild front man or a seductive diva then it's not always easy to hold the crowd's attention but luckily these boys can rely on their talents. This tight trio had a full-energy lead with Crowley’s driving piano that proved a great choice for any lovers of thoughtful music.
The lunchtime set, proving perfect for the picnic in the park atmosphere, produced moments of beautifully structured music with Neil grinning broadly at the piano. You could even call it animation Jazz - perfect for something to illustrate its highs or lows. I feel this is more appropriate than ‘Chav Jazz’, an apparent remark on one of their YouTube videos.

Cowley deserves the recognition of his own progressing trio, having plied his trade for the likes of Brand New Heavies and Zero 7 over the years. He certainly didn’t look like he needed any luck but he obviously didn’t agree with that, hence the appearance of a lucky mascot on his piano. A small plastic t-rex of course.

Ian George

Evan is currently appearing in the new edition of Drummer Magazine sporting his shiny new Yamaha endorsed drum kit and Zildjian endorsed cymbals. We stapled our bass drum head to his back in the hope that we'd steal his limelight. All in vain. Go read it, its in the stores now!