Thursday, May 23, 2013

Talented Sussex Rock School student, Jasmine Straszynski, sings again at CJ's


I sang 3 songs on the 8th May at CJ's: 'Have I told you lately that I love you' by Van Morrison, ‘Rolling in the deep’ by Adele and ‘Hero’ by Mariah Carey. The reason I chose to perform ‘Have I told you lately that I love you’ by Van Morrison was because I love the melody and harmonisation on the piano.

 On the night, I dedicated this song to my mother who has always been there for me.

 The second song was ‘Rolling in the Deep’ by Adele. This is an upbeat song which is fun to play and which contrasts the other songs I performed that evening. I find Adele very inspiring; her songs are so emotional and heartfelt. My last and favourite song that night was ‘Hero’ by Mariah Carey. 

The words are very moving and they stir me to sing my heart out! All in all a good night and now planning on the next one! 

Jazz :)

PS We are at CJ's, the night of Wednesday 12 June from 7.50pm for a few numbers. Come and join us!

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Elia, our young drummer, is Sussex Rock School's youngest student this year

Here's our youngest student this year. He is only 10 years old and has been coming to the Sussex rock school for just 9 months but he is already mastering quite complex drum patterns and rhythms.


For someone who couldn't reach the bass pedal when he started, he's doing terrifically well. Elia now has his own kit at home and practises every day. When he grows up he says that he wants to play in a band and he loves coming to Rock School!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Mumba Sings at CJ’s Open Mike Night



A few weeks ago, I was asked to sing at CJ’s open mike night as a sort of honorary member of Sussex Rock School.

I have sung at CJ’s before for the Rock School and since starting university, I have gone on to more and more Open Mike Nights because they expose you to a different atmosphere compared to big stages. I attended Rock School for 6 years and was part of their annual shows, so I grew up singing with the Rock School family, and even though I’ve left now, I still wanted to be a part of their shows.

After leaving Rock School, I moved to the Philippines and continued singing there. I was part of a choir for a year, which was great fun. I partook in competitions, charity concerts and had private classical training. This all helped push my voice further, in different directions, and increased my love for singing.

At this Open Mike Night, I sang Melt My heart to Stone by Adele and the classic Sunday Morning by Maroon 5. I have always been influenced by belting female artists and I have been working on covers by Adele, Beverley Knight and Leona Lewis.

I think that there will not be a time when I am not singing in the future. I have enjoyed it since the moment I started at 10 years old at the Sussex Rock School. For now, I will be singing at as many Open Mike Nights as I can, and I hope that in the future, I will be performing my own songs.”

Mumba Dodwell

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Jasmine Performs at CJ’s and is Interviewed by the Local Radio Station


Jasmine, recently interviewed on local radio station Meridian FM, also performed at the Open Mike Night and sang three songs:

‘All I want for Christmas is you’ by Mariah Carey 

and then two of her own arrangements of 4 Christmas songs to create two Christmas medleys:

‘Rocking around the Christmas tree’ and ‘Santa Claus is coming to town’

and

‘Have yourself a merry little Christmas’ and ‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas’.

These were brilliantly done and Jasmine was very happy with her performance, enjoying every minute! She grows in confidence and is very grateful for all the support and guidance she receives from Sussex Rock School. Looking ahead her intention is to continue and expand her knowledge and develop her musical ability creating a demo and ultimately producing an album under the expert direction of the Rock School.