Matt Roberts Music

Hangin’ Out In Chappells

I went to Chappells music store yesterday to pick up a few books to help me on my jazz crusade when I started chatting with a chap called Pete Robinson by the improvisation theory section. Pete was a great chap who’s been coming to Chappells since he was a lad (when it was based in a different part of London) and he gave me some great advice on books for improving Licks. He also pointed me towards some great London gig scenes that I should check out.

Funnily enough whilst we were talking another guy came over to chat with us both called Steve Brown, a new York jazz guitarist. He was passing through London to give a lecture before going to gig in Edinburough. He proceeded to recommend some books to us both – Whilst flicking through the selection he was throwing away comments about the authors like; oh he’s a friend of mine, I’ve given him a few lessons, we used to be in a small band together etc. It was great!!

My quick visit ended up taking the better part of an hour and costing me 4 times what I’d intended to spend.

Pete told me some great anecdotes. He told me about one of his contemporaries actually owning a shed called "Wood Shed" and when his family go to bed at night be goes out and Wood Shed’s is licks in his Wood Shed

I’m hoping to see Pete again at Ronnie Scott’s at some point.