[Dixielandjazz] Fionna Duncan

[Ken Mathieson]

Hi Folks,

Just a quickie to say that Fionna is fine and working as much as she wants to. She had a very serious health crisis a few years back, but has made a good recovery and got back to singing about 18 months ago. She'll be working soon with old pals Forrie Cairns on clarinet, Alistair McDonald (banjo and vocals), Roy Percy (bass) and a marvellous septuagenarian trumpeter from Paisley, Scotland called Lennie Herd. Lennie has always been a wonderfully fiery traditional jazz trumpeter with a style originally based on 1920s Louis Armstrong, but as he's got older he's absorbed a bit from Ruby Braff and Bill Coleman among others. He's still a great hot lead and wonderfully exciting and melodic soloist. He ought to be much better known everywhere.

Anyway, Fionna is still a unique voice who can break your heart with a ballad or blues and swing like the clappers on up-tempo material. She's also a complete sweetheart with a heart of gold who'd give you her last penny if you need it. On top of that, she's got a great sense of humour, no pretensions and is happy to be one of the band on-stage and off. If I can get a message from her, I'll pass it on.

Cheers,

Ken