Sheila Waterfield

A fabulous start to 2023 with a guest appearance with the fantastic Apollo Big Band. The concert was one of many staged at Sutton Hall in Stockcross. The Band was on fine form and the whole evening very generously received by a lovely, enthusiastic audience. Thank you to all for making me feel so welcome! Here are a few highlights from the evening.

An exciting end to a very productive, musical year. I am beyond thrilled to announce that my new album ‘Every Sunrise’ is here! Available to purchase from Bandcamp and stream/download on all major platforms. Huge thanks to the musicians and engineers who contributed to the making of the album and to all who have supported me and my music. I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year and hope to see you at a gig in 2023!

It was a delight to perform with The Stadium Big Band this month to a sell out audience at The Irish Centre, Kings Heath. Huge thanks to Paul Drakeley, Tim Low and the fabulous band for inviting me to sing with them and for being so welcoming! A performance of Orange Coloured Sky can be found here.

Congratulations to Big Bear Music for successfully organising and running England’s longest established jazz and blues festival. This was my 8th year performing at the hugely popular Birmingham, Sandwell and Westside Jazz and Blues Festival. My quartet appeared at Bar One Venue, huge thanks to Edgar Macias – piano, Geoff Tooley – bass and Spencer Hedges – drums for a really enjoyable gig.

Enjoyed a very busy, musical weekend with the fabulous Bader’s Big Band at IWM Duxford. It was an honour to perform in aircraft Hanger 4 – the hanger that Sir Douglas Bader’s squadron was based during WW2. A real pleasure performing with such an incredible band!

Very excited to be part of Coventry City of Culture’s Year of celebrations with a sell out concert at Central Hall in Coventry. It was a delight and honour to sing with The Coventry Orchestra – a truly memorable occasion!

So wonderful to be playing gigs again and in front of a live audience too! Below is a link to a live recording of my Quartet at The Westwood Jazz Club, Coventry with the fabulous Neil Hunter on piano, Mark Trounson on upright bass and Spencer Hedges on drums. My thanks to Neil Segrott for capturing the sound.

I hope 2022 finds you well and relatively unscathed by the virus. My heart goes out to anyone who is ill or bereaved. It has been a particularly turbulent and uncertain time for many, especially those working in the entertainment sector. Many of my work colleagues have really struggled emotionally and financially throughout the pandemic and continue to do so. I feel very blessed to have had the love and support of my family through the dark times.

It was a delight to perform at St Clement Danes Church, London with The Bader’s Big Band in aid of Elizabeth’s Legacy of Hope and The Douglas Bader Foundation. Both foundations raise funds for children with limb deficiency/limb difference. St Clement Danes Church is the Central Church of the Royal Air Force. Re-consecrated in 1958 as a perpetual shrine of remembrance to those who have died in service in the RAF.

The saviour of the independent artist throughout the pandemic has been Bandcamp, allowing their artists to receive full revenue for any music sold on its site via the ‘Bandcamp Friday’ promotion. Hat’s off to Bandcamp!

I had high expectations for 2020! Scores were being prepared and rehearsals in place to record a studio Big Band album leading to a series of concerts to be staged later in the year ……. little did we know that we were heading towards an 18 month shut down of the entire world!

Very excited to be part of a new series of live jazz events staged at the gorgeous Repertory Theatre in Birmingham. I’ll be accompanied by some of the regions finest musicians – Richard Jones, John Hodgetts and Mark Trounson.