Strictly Smokin' Triple Album Recording

by Strictly Smokin' Big Band in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom

We did it
On 12th October 2020 we successfully raised £7,227 with 89 supporters in 56 days

>>> PRE-ORDER any of our THREE NEW ALBUMS by using the rewards below.

by Strictly Smokin' Big Band in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom

 New stretch target

Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to our initial target. We're blown away by your generosity...

Our stretch target represents the full cost of these projects.  We want these recordings to be pieces that you'll enjoy for a long time, and will represent Strictly Smokin', and a part of the jazz scene in Newcastle Upon Tyne in the best possible way.

This project will employ over 40 freelance musicians based in the North East, as well as other associated professionals across three main recording sessions - with our stretch target and everything beyond £7,000 we can increase that number, increase their rate of pay, and spend more time in both pre and post production making sure everything is as perfect as we can get it.


The most asked question at our shows by audience members is: "do you have any CDs?"

Well - we used to, but it's been years since we've visited a recording studio. And currently we have "Christmas Live at the Gosforth Civic Theatre" which we released in 2019... which is perfect, if it's December.  But Strictly Smokin' is so much more than that.

With this crowd funder we want to make some new recordings that will last all year round and that will be a great addition to your music listening. So, we're aiming to produce three CDs across the next 18 months... each with it's own distinct flavour.

1597426105_disc_mock_up_ella.pngIn the pipeline already was "Strictly Smokin' Big Band Sings Ella with Alice Grace" - Covid-19 put the kibosh on that meaning it's top of our list to get into the studio.

We have an amazing list of ten tracks that paint a broad picture of Ella's career, including her work with Duke Ellington, Marty Paich and, of course, Nelson Riddle. We're working with an exquisite string section to make sure this recording is as lush as we can possibly make it and if rehearsals are anything to go by, Alice Grace is sounding incredible!

1597426173_disc_mock_up_harlem_jpeg.jpgNumber two on our list is a disc which takes in a section of our tour through the iconic image: "A Great Day In Harlem".

We had such an amazing opening show at Gosforth Civic last April that we feel this music deserves recording within the context of the image and to have it's story told through the narrative of the musicians who composed and performed it and their own personal interactions.

1597426365_disc_mock_up_friends.pngAnd finally, disc number three - "Strictly Smokin' Big Band and Friends" ( a working title, which might yet make the cut!)

This is the most ambitious of them all and a record of the amazing friendships we've developed with some of the UKs finest and most prolific jazz musicians and vocalists.

Each track on this CD will feature one of the amazing guests which Strictly Smokin' have brought to Newcastle - this is a complex operation to plan, but we can confirm that already Mike Lovatt, Mark Nightingale, Hailey Tuck, Alan Barnes, Bruce Adams and Joe Stilgoe have agreed to take part...!

The entire CD will be made up of brand new arrangements created to spotlight the incredible musicianship of these jazz greats... to be honest, we're still pinching ourselves!

1597426997_95529349_10159796646009573_1394962337873526784_o.jpgThere is no doubt that these are ambitious projects with an ambitious goal... but we hope you'll be able to support us.

We have structured the rewards in this crowd funder to essentially be advance purchases of the albums. A download will cost £8 and a CD will cost £10 once they are produced - if you can support us by purchasing in advance we can throw everything we've got at these sessions and produce the best quality music and recordings, with the best jazz musicians in the region and the UK.

Of course, there are options to donate more significant amounts with rewards to match.

We can't wait to get into the studio, and for you to hear what we produce - they're going to be something rather special.

Our rewards:

  • £8 - 1 Album Download
  • £16 - 2 Album Download
  • £24 - 3 Album Download
  • £30 - All 3 CDs, PLUS 2 exclusive track downloads
  • £50 - Exclusive CD box set, PLUS 2 exclusive tracks
  • £100 - Listed supporter on albums, 3 CDs + musical thanks
  • £250 - Listed supporter, 3 CDs, musical thanks + VIP tickets
  • £500 - Personal SSBB composition, artwork print, album downloads, listed supporter + more...
  • £600 - Alice grace house/ garden gig, listed supporter, album downloads and more...
  • £1000 - Option to perform in public with SSBB or house/ garden gig, plus downloads, listed supporter + more...
  • £5000 - EVERYTHING! Plus SSBB for your own personal flash mob!

Rewards

This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.

£30 or more

All 3 CDs, PLUS 2 exclusive track downloads

Physical copies of all three of our new CDs - PLUS two exclusive unheard tracks of SSBB as a download. This is the list price of the physical CD albums once they're complete - so this is more of an advance purchase than a donation with the added extra of bonus tracks. Physical CDs will be shipped as they are completed.

£8 or more

1 Album Download

Download any one of our 3 new albums. This is the list price of the album download once it's complete - so this is more of an advance purchase than a donation! As soon as the album is complete, you'll be sent a link to download.

£16 or more

2 Album Download

Download any two of our 3 new albums. This is the list price of the album download once it's complete - so this is more of an advance purchase than a donation! As soon as the album is complete, you'll be sent a link to download.

£24 or more

3 Album Download

Download all 3 of our new albums. This is the list price of the album download once it's complete - so this is more of an advance purchase than a donation! As soon as the album is complete, you'll be sent a link to download.

£50 or more

5 of 30 claimed

Exclusive CD box set, artwork, PLUS extra tracks..

Limited edition CD box set of all three new albums with special artwork only available to crowd fund supporters, 30x30cm print of one album cover ready for you to frame, downloads for each album, PLUS two exclusive unheard SSBB tracks. CDs will be shipped once albums are complete.

£100 or more

3 of 15 claimed

Listed supporter on albums, 3 CDs + musical thanks

A name of your choice printed as a listed supporter in the liner notes of each CD. Copies of all three CDs, PLUS a bespoke musical thank you sent to you from the band. CDs will be shipped on completion.

£250 or more

1 of 10 claimed

Listed supporter, 3 CDs, musical thanks + tickets

Three pairs of VIP tickets to public SSBB gigs and a name of your choice printed as a listed supporter in the liner notes of each CD. Copies of all three CDs, PLUS a bespoke musical thank you sent to you from the band. CDs will be shipped on completion.

£500 or more

1 of 6 claimed

Personal SSBB composition, plus downloads + more..

One of our SSBB composers will write and arrange a bespoke piece of music especially for you. We will record and video it as a personal thanks for your donation and support. Plus, your name listed as a supporter in each album, downloads of all three albums, PLUS two exclusive unheard tracks to download.

£600 or more

1 of 4 claimed

Alice Grace house gig, listed supporter & more...

Alice Grace, plus one other member of Strictly Smokin' will come to your home (or garden!) to perform a house gig especially for you. Along with that you'll have downloads of all our new music, be a listed supporter on each album, and have two exclusive tracks to download. CDs shipped on completion.

£1,000 or more

0 of 4 claimed

Perform in public with SSBB, plus downloads + more

Your chance to perform in public with SSBB at one of our gigs - whether a vocalist, horn or rhythm player - come along to rehearse with the band then perform live on stage. If preforming with SSBB doesn't appeal, we'll gladly organise a longer house/ garden gig from Alice Grace and another member of SSBB instead. Plus, your name listed as a supporter in each album, downloads of all three albums, PLUS two exclusive unheard tracks to download.

£5,000 or more

0 of 2 claimed

Feeling Flashy? How about a flash mob... (+ more!)

Everything from each category above, PLUS all of SSBB will appear as a flash mob at a North East location of your choice. Planning a party, wedding - - large or small... we'll be there (dates permitting!)

Got an idea like this?

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