Hilary Seabrook - writer, podcaster, musician

Well, this is odd. I'm preparing to go into shielding or, as I prefer to call it, stealth mode.     I've done a big shop, seen my parents - at a distance - and now I'm about to close my doors, just as much of the world is emerging from lockdown.     On 7 July, I'm undergoing the delights of a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy. Yes, both on the same day, although not, thankfully, both at the same time. In order to be safe for those procedures, I'm having to be shielded - sorry, in stealth mode - for seven days.     If you've heard the long and boring story of my recent illnesses before, please skip the next paragraph.     In November 2012, I had a bad car crash, resulting in me being cut out of my car and having to take lots of pain killers. Then in January 2013, I broke my shoulder on my 50th birthday, resulting in more pain relief. By March, my shoulder was recovering nicely, but seemed to have frozen (of which more, later) and I was feeling very sic...

The latest episode of Harmonious World is out now. It was a very interesting interview with Mike Paul-Smith, the brains behind big band Down for the Count. They have just recorded an EP under lockdown and it's well worth a listen.     The Down for the Count latest EP - Lockdown for the Count - is a great listen, but the band is also donating 50% of its profits to Mind , the mental health charity. Another great reason to give them a listen, too.

It was such an honour to interview the supremely talented and award-winning Anne Sofie von Otter for my latest Harmonious World podcast.     She is such an interesting woman and a pragmatic performer. "It's all about the music."     Please do listen to the episode if you can.

There's so much great jazz being produced at the moment. This latest CD from Bley and her trio adds a new depth to the 2020 output.     I reviewed the CD on KindofJazz.com. Please read it if you can - you might just find something new to listen to.

I have known pianist and composer Ros Gilman for several months, but only on social media and through listening to his music.     It was a great delight that he agreed to be interviewed for Harmonious World - my fledgling podcast.     Ros is great to chat with and he's got some lovely music out now, so do take a listen to both my podcast and to his creative output .

If you haven't heard Niv Ashkenazi 's album 'Violins of Hope', you should give it a listen. He's a superb violinist and the album has a great story. It's particularly important as just before lockdown, we marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps.     I found out more about the story when I interviewed Niv for my latest Harmonious World podcast.

One of my clients is the team behind @ BambuuBrush and @Bambuu&Co.     I'm delighted to have helped them with their Kickstarter campaign . Such an inspirational story and some innovative products to help us ALL make a difference in the world. One simple change.

While out walking the dog today, I spotted these three pieces of litter. Picking them up and disposing of them responsibly might make a tiny difference, but imagine if everyone did this. Not just today, on World Oceans Day , but every day.

I interviewed the talented Clare Teal for KindofJazz.com .     Hopefully, I'll get to hear her live at The Pheasantry in July. We live in hope.

Episode 2 - the first interview - has gone live on Harmonious World .     I was delighted to chat with Canadian singer/songwriter Laila Biali. Her new album Out of Dust  is simply beautiful and it was great to talk to her about her songs, her piano playing, lockdown and what the future holds.     Please do listen. If you could leave a review, that would help.