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| Noëlle Rollings |
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| Noëlle Rollings & Gaëlle Hammond incognito "Christmas on Saturn" 2015 |
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| An intriguing venue St Lawrence Chapel Ashburton |
Located in the narrow St Lawrence Lane, the chapel is hard to find but well worth the effort with many exciting events taking place there.
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| Master of Ceremonies Andy Williamson |
As an honorary 'Papillon', tonight was also the night for Andy to delight us all with his clarinet and saxophone playing. The line-up went far beyond clarinet and saxophone, however.
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| Alex Worsley Acoustic & Electric Guitar with Noëlle Rollings |
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| Backing Vocals: Gaëlle Hammond |
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| Les Papillons Guitar: Alex Worsley - Vocals: Noëlle Rollings Flugelhorn: Graham Hutton - Clarinet: Andy Williamson Trombone: Bob Martin |
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| Trombone: Bob Martin |
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| Bass Guitars: Marcus Vergette |
Joining Gaëlle was Marcus Vergette playing alternately acoustic and electric bass guitar - each with equally steadfast and commanding style. Also somewhat out of sight, standing behind his elevated Korg keyboard, was Tom Unwin (whose daughter Lilli played St Lawrence Chapel on Sunday 15 May 2016 with the 'Lilli Unwin Band').
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| Keyboard: Tom Unwin |
Solo performances featured prominently in the ensuing two hours of musical pleasure, with each performer having a chance to demonstrate their prowess on a variety of instruments. Pride of place was, however, always reserved for Noëlle herself whose lyrical excursions were quite outstandingly brilliant.
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| "French Exchange" Album now on general release |
The album "French Exchange", featuring all the music performed at Ashburton, is now on general release. The songs follow Noëlle's life from Dartington College of Arts to London, to Normandy and back to Devon.
The styles vary greatly, from explosive ensemble playing, and wild harmonising by Noëlle and Gaëlle, to the minimalist "Snow Came Down" (in London) accompanied with supreme subtlety on keyboard by Tom Unwin.
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| "French Exchange": Noëlle Rollings |
There is even time for a very thoughtful recital of French poetry during the title track, "French Exchange". The set ends with the extraordinary bonus track, "Rex in the City" following the exploits of Noëlle's pet dog in London, with appropriate sound effects.
All of this work has been painstakingly created and realised over six years by Noëlle Rollings herself, with the invaluable help of her spectacularly talented 'Papillons'.
(Ashburton Live sessions continue at St Lawrence Chapel on Sunday 19 June (8pm) when Lee Gibson, Singer and Teacher at the Guildhall School of Music, will join Saxophonist Martin Dale and his Quartet for another spectacular evening of live music.)
(Ashburton Live sessions continue at St Lawrence Chapel on Sunday 19 June (8pm) when Lee Gibson, Singer and Teacher at the Guildhall School of Music, will join Saxophonist Martin Dale and his Quartet for another spectacular evening of live music.)
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| Tremendous Tenor Saxophone Solo Andy Williamson |
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| is totally sent |
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| Graham Hutton prepares |
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| for a blistering trumpet solo |
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| Glimpsed briefly Keyboard: Tom Unwin - Drums: Steve Crossen |
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| Sensational vocals & subtle muted trumpet - magical! |
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| Ukulele! |
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| Lyricism squared Backing Vocals: Gaëlle Hammond |
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| Fabulous! |
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| Noëlle also accompanies herself on Spanish Guitar |
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| Alex Worsley is also a mean axe-man |
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| The Boys Graham Hutton, Andy Williamson, Bob Martin |
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| An unexpected accompaniment from the back of the hall Tenor Saxophone: Andy Williamson |
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| enters into an awesome double-act |
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| Time stands still for the mighty trombone Bob Martin |
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| That horn section! |
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| Ces Papillons! |
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| Papillon Belle Dame! |
