Drumming up interest
Name: John Hartshorn. Location: Macclesfield and Bollington. What do you do?: I lead and teach Sambamba, a community samba band that plays carnival-style music for parades and events. Our music is based on Afro/Brazilian rhythms and is largely percussion, though we have recently added a brass section and vocals. Anyone can join in, instruments and tuition are provided. We meet at Bollington Community Centre on Thursday evenings and at Artspace in Macclesfield on Sunday afternoons for practice sessions. What do you enjoy the most about doing this?: Playing samba is a very uplifting experience; the rhythms encourage people to dance and wriggle. It’s also very accessible. I like the fact that people who have no experience or musical training can soon pick things up. What is the best thing about Macclesfield?: The recent boost in its arts and culture. The Barnaby Festival, Treacle Market, Artspace and Print Mill have – among other arts and craft developments – helped to lift the town into a busy and fun place to live and work. What is the worst thing about Macclesfield?: Well I have to say that there is still a bit of under-investment in arts activities and we need to make sure that every part of the community is being reached. Where is your favourite place in Macclesfield?: Without a doubt its Artspace. It’s a community arts workshop where anyone can come and get creative, join in with projects or do your own thing. Check out the website or Facebook page – Macclesfield Community Artspace – and its free! How long have you been a musician?: I started samba about 25 years ago when running a youth club in Handforth and I’ve being doing it pretty much since then. I’ve also been involved in a couple of bands – Iridescent Bass, a latin jazz band, and Lonesome George, blues and easy listening. I started those two bands to help my eight children/ step-children and some of their friends to get into performing and they’ve ended up performing around the world. Who are your main musical influences?: Aieto Moreira; Brazilian percussionist, Carlos Santana, Antonio Jobim; the man behind Bossa Nova, and the Brazilian group Olodum. What is your favourite piece of music to perform?: I love playing Samba Reggae with Sambamba and with Lonesome George, Gangster of Love is one of my favourites. What’s the funniest or most memorable thing that’s happened while you’ve been playing – or what’s the most memorable thing you have done?: Once when playing at a national festival with Lonesome George the MC forgot our name and introduced us as ‘Lonely John’! The second was in an absent-minded moment on stage when the slide of my trombone slipped off with a clang onto the floor. If you could perform for anyone who would you perform for?: I’d like to play at WOMAD. Do you have any performances lined up for the future?: This month we are playing at Rainow parade on Saturday, July 16, Bollington Beer Festival on July 22 and Treacle Market on July 31. We’re in Leeds on August 5, then I’m doing workshops at the Just So Festival from August 19-21. We’ll also be playing for the Macclesfield Mayor’s parade on September 18.