Zappa plays ZappaZappa plays Zappa

I am a huge fan of composer and guitarist, Frank Zappa’s music – both his rock and classical works. Unfortunately though I am of the wrong generation to have been lucky enough to witness any of his gigs. A few years ago I was very excited to hear that Frank Zappa’s son, Dweezil was touring the UK, performing his father’s works with his band Zappa plays Zappa. Since this discovery, I have been to see lots of ZPZ gigs – and had an amazing time. The band are a group of fantastic musicians, and they approach Frank’s music with authenticity and passion.

A couple of years ago ZPZ were awarded a Grammy for ‘best rock instrumental performance’. During ZPZ’s last tour, I was lucky enough to briefly chat to Dweezil – I had questions to ask him about his father’s Clarinet Concerto – Mo N Herb’s Vacation. This resulted in me posting various audio files of my clarinet playing onto Dweezil’s website!!

Months past, and out of the blue, I recived a message from Dweezil asking whether I would like to join the band onstage to play one of Frank Zappa’s songs on a couple of dates during their UK tour! I was, and still am very excited!

I will be playing in the Roundhouse on November 10, and in Birmingham Town Hall on the 18th. I have been given a fantastic part to play – it’s quite difficult too,  so I am now off to practice!!

Hwyl

Sioned

Rwy’n gefnogwr mawr o weithiau y cyfansoddwr a’r gitarydd Frank Zappa – gan gynnwys ei gyfansoddiadau roc a chlasurol. Yn anffodus, cefais fy ngeni yn y degawd anghywir i ferdu fynychu unrhyw un o’i gigs. Ychydig flynyddoddd yn ol roeddwn yn filch iawn o glywed fod ei fab Dweezil yn mynd ar daith o amgylch y DU, gyda’i fand ‘Zappa plays Zappa’. Mae’r band yn griw o gerddorion sy’n dryw i berfformio gweithiau Frank Zappa, ac ers eu darganfod, rwyf wedi bod yn eu gweld droeon. Ychydig flynyddoedd yn ol derbynniodd y band wobr ‘Grammy’ am gynrychioli’r ‘perfformiad roc gorau’.

Yn ystod taith olaf ZPZ roeddwn ddigon ffodus I gael sgwrs gyda Dweezil – roedd gen i gwestiynnau i ofyn wrtho am Goncertio Clariet ei Dad – ‘Mo ‘N Herb’s Vacation’. Canlyniad hyn, oedd fi yn postio nifer o glipiau sain ohona i yn chwarae clarinet at ei wefan – (fel tudael weplyfr I gefnogwyr ZPZ!)!

Ar ol ychydig fisoedd cefais neges yn annisgwyl gan Dweezil yn gofyn a fuaswn yn hoffi ymuno a’r band i chwarae can yn ystod un neu ddau o ddyddiadau are u taith nesaf! Waa!!

Byddaf yn chwarae yn y Roundhouse yn Llundain ar y 10ed o Dachwedd, ac yn Newuadd y Dref Birmingham ar yr 18ed! Mae’r rhan clarinet yn wych – er iddo fod yn eithaf anodd! Gwell i mi fynd i ymarfer!!

Hwyl

Sioned