Musicians stranded by Icelandic volcano

Monday, April 19, 2010

Scores of musicians around the world have had their schedules interrupted by events in Iceland and the subsequent grounding of air traffic.

We have received the following press release from Ronnie Scott’s as Wallace Roney’s date has been filled by singer Dee Dee Bridgewater. Wallace is stranded in the US, Dee Dee in London. Meanwhile pianist Joey Calderazzo, also stranded in London was a surprise addition to the line up at the Steinway Festival at London’s Pizza Express Jazz Club. See our new contributor Tom Gray’s review of Day 2 of the event.

It’s also been confirmed that the Swedish band Oddjob’s first ever UK show has had to be cancelled as the band are unable to get to England. They were due to play at The Vortex, London on April 21st. 

Closer to home for The Jazzmann, trombonist Dennis Rollins’ gig at Ludlow last Friday was cancelled as Dennis is stranded in Europe after touring there with Maceo Parker.

Here is the press release from Ronnie’s;

Following the volcanic eruption in Iceland last week, scores of musicians have been stranded in the UK and are subsequently looking for work. Simon Cooke, managing director of Ronnie Scott’s in London, says the club has been deluged with calls from musicians hoping to play the club this week as their flights out of the country remain grounded.
The club was due to present US trumpeter Wallace Roney this Monday and Tuesday but with Roney currently unable to travel to the UK, two-time Grammy award winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, stranded in the country since performing at the Barbican on Friday, has been drafted in to perform in his place. ?Of course we’re extremely disappointed that Wallace Roney won’t be performing this week? says Cooke. ?But to be able to secure a musician of Dee Dee Bridgewater’s calibre in his absence is a welcome surprise for us nonetheless. You could say every cloud has a silver lining…?.