Enterprising Musicians

This year's U6th Enrichment gig brought about local musician Andi Wolf's first professional visit to Bablake. Playing some of his own compositions, a few contemporary covers and a seasonal fusion with our tabla expert Jeeves Sahota, he also revealed a couple of direct connections to the school: his father had been a former pupil and he has worked closely with highly respected singer songwriter, producer and Old Wheat Olivia Broadfield.

As well as the U6th being musically serenaded by Andi Wolf, the gathering was treated to music from Messrs Bunce and Smith, and U6th pupils Jake Burgess and Jeeves Sahota.

One of the purposes of the afternoon is always to show that the creative industries may offer a working career and Andi's glimpses into the working life of a musician will have resounded within the audience.

Some pupils, like Jake Burgess and Erin Taylor, playing live as The Contra, are just about to enter the studio and record a new vinyl EP, while fellow musician and drummer Ryan Cornall is already looking at the opportunities presented in the music business, beginning to establish himself as a live music promoter and booking agent in Birmingham and Coventry.

As well as booking gigs for local bands All The Rest and Pretty Selective, Ryan has promoted a number of live events, via his Plummet or Ascend initiative. These events include a forthcoming gig at Coventry's Kasbah Nightclub, on Thursday 18th December, with Richie Ramone, drummer who played over 500 shows from 1983 with legendary punk band The Ramones. Tickets for this event (open to those who are 14+) are £10.