Hilary Seabrook - writer, podcaster, musician

It was a delight to interview Ute Lemper for a recent episode of Harmonious World, and her performance at London’s Cadogan Hall gave me the chance to hear her sing live for the first time in 35 years. The first time I was aware of Ute’s voice was in the planning stages of ‘The Wall’ Berlin 1990, when I was working for the Producer, Mick Worwood. Mick had conversations with Roger Waters about the artists that would be appearing on stage and the name Ute Lemper came up very early in conversations. Even then, she was becoming renowned for her incredible voice and her performances of the work of Kurt Weill. Now, 35 years later, I heard some of those songs live, with just a piano accompaniment. Long-term collaborator Vana Gierig was more than an accompanist and clearly the musical understanding between these two consummate artists is intense. There was humour and polish in the entire show, which included personal and innovative arrangements of some much-loved Weill classics. Everything fro...

When jazz pianist Brian Kellock died recently, London’s 606 Club initially cancelled the night where he was due to perform just a couple of weeks later. There’s a memorial concert planned in the autumn, but the night that Brian was scheduled to appear instead because something of a celebration of his music with some of his fellow Scots. Fraser Urquhart (piano), Calum Gourlay (bass) and Corrie Dick (drums) were joined by trumpeter Bruce Adams and the irrepressible Jim Mullen on guitar. @HilarySWriter The music was just wonderful as the quintet, who had never performed together before, filled the 606 with a selection of standards that would have made Brian Kellock smile. Everything from The Way You Look Tonight  and Shiny Stockings to What is This Thing Called Love?  and Cotton Tail  but with some personal features that really showed what this extraordinary group of musicians is capable of. Fraser Urquhart’s piano is always understated and he is often heard alongside ...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. Enjoy listening to my chat with saxophonist and composer Cecilie Strange. Her album,  Beech  is the fourth in a collection that really exposes her quasi-classical compositions through storytelling. Cecilie has two upcoming gigs in the UK with Sounds of Denmark - at London's  Pizza Express  on 25 September and the following day at  Turner Sims  in Southampton. Catch her if you can. Thanks to Cecilie for allowing me to share clips from Beech alongside our conversation. Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and  subscribe  to support the show. Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."

This was not the gig I was expecting, but it was amazing and full of truly beautiful music played by a stunning quartet who had never so much as soundchecked together! Elina Duni stepped in at the last minute when the billed singer - Vidya, who I wrote about almost exactly a year ago - was sadly taken ill. 06062025 Elina Duni @hilaryswriter Joined by Vidya’s original band - Rob Luft (guitar), Mirko Scarcia (bass) and Corrie Dick (drums) - Elina performed an eclectic collection of originals, arrangements and standards. The band came together in a way that seemed more effortless than it probably was in reality. Luft and Dick are frequent band mates, often with Duni herself, but this was the first time this quartet had appeared on stage and the sound was just beautiful. Duni has an international background and career, so there were songs from Albania, the Balkans, Brazil, Italy and the great American songbook, but they were all arranged to show the very best of these accomplished musici...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. It was a huge delight to be joined live in my local coffee shop by pianist and composer  Iain Farrington . As you will hear through our conversation, Iain has composed for and performed at some highly prestigious events. We were chatting primarily about the forthcoming world premiere of Talk of the Town, which Iain has composed for  Hitchin Chamber Orchestra  to perform on 12 July at  St Mary's Church  as the orchestra celebrates its tenth anniversary.  Click here to join us if you can ! Thanks to Iain for allowing me to share clips from some of his other compositions and performances. Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show. Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would...

Welcome to the latest episode of Harmonious World, in which I interview musicians about how their music helps make the world more harmonious. For this episode, I was joined by  Vonn Vanier , ahead of the release of his fascinating debut album Dawn . Thanks to Vonn for allowing me to share clips from Dawn , which has a fascinating selection of styles and creativity. Thank you for listening to Harmonious World. Please rate, review and share: click on the link and subscribe to support the show. Don't forget the Quincy Jones quote that sums up why I do this: "Imagine what a harmonious world it would be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing."