16th March 2013Well with the weather continuing to surprise and disappoint, Java Duo are extremely happy to have passed auditions for work in sunnier climes, so we're looking forward to being called up to bring our live music to resorts on the Red Sea! In the meantime, we're booking up for Spring and Summer weddings in the Sussex area, with enquiries for ceremony music, reception entertainment and full on party sets. As a soloist I now have a bank of over 800 songs and am slowly working my way through learning everything from The Kinks to Girls Aloud and even trying a little Whitney Houston. We've both been further improving our singing technique with the absolutely incredible Maureen Scott, singing coach to the stars and vocal trainer on the BBC's The Voice, and we're looking forward to showing off our new skills! It's a quiet March with a private gig at the end of the month, but we'll be back at Sabai Brighton for their live music night on Thursday 4th April. See you there!Hajar30th August 2012Well it's been another busy month with more performances in the local area and bookings flying in for private functions. I don't think I drove past a single pub that wasn't hosting a live music summer event over the bank holiday weekend just gone. I performed all the way down in Portchester for some afternoon jazz, with a little pop thrown in at the end. Luckily the sun held out and the venue was rammed, with locals enjoying a pint or two, some great barbecue food and the raffle. I should be back down that way for regular Friday and Saturday night gigs soon. Tonight after a week off I'm back at Sabai with Jon, and can't wait to get a proper meal down me!6th August 2012I can't believe how fast this year is flying by! With the weather continuing to surprise us - with the sheer volume of rain - I feel like Christmas is already just around the corner. It was only 8 months ago that I had my first live music trial in Brighton at the wonderful Food for Friends and since then I've been fortunate enough to have a steady stream of private bookings and to have secured two residencies. I've been singing in my village Hassocks to the lovely people at the Age Concern and at Betty Blues Boutique, and I'm lining up more trials for the Autumn.Despite singing professionally for the best part of eight years, there's still so much to learn. Every residency performance I try to include new songs and my backing track bank is constantly expanding. From starting out with a monitor, scrappy mixer and borrowed microphone, I now have an impressive Allen and Heath Zed-10FX, reliable lightweight powered speakers and my beloved Sennheiser e865 mic. With great gear, and a large repertoire of pop and lounge songs, I can do any gig at the drop of a hat, which is an exciting position to be in! With every song I learn there are new singing styles to be incorporated and techniques to work on that go towards making every performance better than the last. Working as a one woman show is especially empowering as I can really work on my voice and learn new songs from a range of genres, with no limits of rehearsal rooms or other people's schedules. I'm thoroughly enjoying every challenge that comes with each new song I learn. Now that I'm able to drive again after foot surgery, I can't wait to get more Sussex venues involved in live music.I really feel I've so much to be proud of so far with Java Duo and my solo singing and know that there are many more great things in store. Sussex venues watch this space, I'll be singing for you soon!Hajar 28th July 2012
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