who are they?, what have they done so
far?...
Here is a short introduction of the band by its conductor
and soloist Mick Donnelly...
Musicians Unlimited
were founded in 1989 and have gone from strength to strength. Forming
such a group was inspired and greatly assisted by a core of very
talented musicians I had been fortunate enough to meet when I
returned to the North East of England.
MU were
intended to be an informal rehearsal band with as many musicians as
possible. After numerous personnel changes, and approximately two
years rehearsing, the band began performing in public. The first ever
line up had three saxes and one trumpet, trombone, drums, piano and
bass.
In its twelfth year MU has about twenty
regular members and plays music spanning from Duke Ellington, Stan
Kenton, Woody Herman and Count Basie to Glen Miller and Frank Sinatra
songs. The audience comes from literally all ages. People from their
late teens into their eighty`s come together on an Sunday afternoon
and enjoy the sound of this unique band. I am grateful to the
audiences who filled our venues, and have been so generous with their
encouragement and support.
To learn more about them go to The
Musicians section of this website.
The band hit the radio waves
for the first time on local Radio Cleveland with a performance
at the Billingham Forum in 1992. MU became a smash
hit...
"The adrenaline was flowing, it
was a live broadcast, the audience was packed to the hilt... that was
a good feeling for me and it was even better for the band."
After
Hundreds of concerts MU won in 1997 a prestigious gold
award in the Boosey and Hawkes national big band competition.
"Almost overnight we had risen from being
a good local band to a top quality big band with fine soloists. The
win improved the band 100%, made the playing very professional and we
enjoyed it too - which is what it's all about."
MU
feeds into the bigger world of jazz. Recently the talented Paul Jones
left to join the distinguished National Youth Jazz Orchestra
after playing alto sax in MU from a very early age.
MU have so far performed at a
substantial number of Charity events ...
...The Mayor of Hartlepool`s Charity Floral
Ball in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001
...
for Arthritis Care in North England in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998,
1999,2000 and 2001
...Sunday Funday for Hartlepool Hospice 22nd
March 1998
...Butterwick Hospice Charity Dance November
1999
...Teesside Hospice Charity Concert at Middlesbrough Little
Theatre in April 1998
...Alice House Hospice Hartlepool Concert in
dedication of Brian Mulcahy in April 2000 at the Staincliffe Hotel in
Seaton Carew and a Concert at the Mayfair in Seaton Carew in
September 1998
...Elwick Millennium Association Bigband Concert at
the Billingham Forum at February 17, 1999 and a Summer Ball at
Hartlepool Historic Quay in June 1999
...Russ Nicholson Music
Scholarship Trust supporting local young musicians in 1991, 1992,
1993, 1994 and 1995
...McKenzie House Doctors Surgery Benevolent
Fund Concert in Aid of Kip Heron in April 1998 at the Borough Hall in
Hartlepool
...Salvation Army Concert in Aid of Kip Heron in April
1998
There was only One thing left to do, we thought and in an ambitious project we produced a CD, Musicians Unlimited - Live at the Studio which we enjoyed recording very much. But now these talented musicians whose passionate playing make this band what it is have come up with yet another project:
The preparation had started back in November
2000 and work continued even until after the event in November 2001.
Comprehensive documentation had to be submitted to try to get the
bigband marathon recognised as a World Record. The Musicians were
involved as were a section of our enthusiastic audience who supported
the event with planing and practical support, giving their time,
ideas and hard work for which I am very grateful. There was just so
much to consider and to plan and to do...(Currently we are awaiting
the decision if this project broke all records.)
If you would like to hear the band live at
The Studio, you will find all the information you need on this
website. Should you not be able to come down and see us live, don't
forget, there is this live CD we have produced...
Mick
Donnelly