Alexander Hawkins

Yeah...bad isn't it...just had a group of friends who called me that from very young (although no longer, so perhaps a switch to the proper colour is due). That's interesting about Drogba - I wasn't really aware of his reputation (or lack thereof) for diving whilst at Marseille... Know what you mean about Group B, although I can see Croatia perhaps giving Germany a bit of a game in the final round of group games. Now tomorrow...that's a different story...should be great! Which Dutch will turn up? Which French? Which Italians, for that matter? I fancy Romania to get something, just because.

Agree to a point about Drogba, although when Mourinho made himself clear, that stopped immediately. Robben - absolutely yes, a breath of wind would knock him over, and much like his compatriots Bergkamp (aghhh the number of times he would play dirty for the Gooners then give it sweetness and light and 'who, me?'...) and Van Persie, in that regard...As a Chelsea fan, Robben really embarassed me.

Yes - although as Premiership viewers will vouch, he used to be even worse (if you can imagine that!)

So, we've seen everyone. Who's going to win??? I hate to be boring, but I'm going to say Germany. Spain/Portugal/Holland - not steely enough. Showed nice stuff, though. And if the odds were right, I'd take Romania (as I would have done before the tournament). With a group like that, you'd get a great price at the bookies, but Mutu, Chivu, etc. etc. etc...

I think the Italians will just shrug this one off. I felt they played well for much of the game. They fell to a blatantly offside goal (awful, awful, awful decision - it really wasn't even close!), and two on the counter-attack...if they can be even slightly more disciplined at the back, I think they'll be ok. But today - wow, they missed Cannavaro... I'd say Germany are the ones to beat of those we've seen so far!

Great - that'd be a fun DVD to see!

Talked to a couple of the guys on the LJCO gig in Schaffhausen...sounds like it was great! Lineup very much like the old one, except another drummer in for Oxley, Gustaffson in for Dunmall (who isn't playing bari these days), Herb Robertson on trumpet...I believe in the first half, they played a new feature for Irene Schweizer, and did Harmos in the second half.

I really would like to check out the one with Stan Tracey and Bobby Wellins. Interesting to read the comments about the new one on ECM, the one track from which I've heard left me more than a little cold... I like what she does on Amancio D'Silva's 'Hum Dono' as well!

I love Lipatti Bach...wish there was more than the one Partita!

You must! I've seen him on the last two occasions he's been to England (I believe he's also done Glasgow more recently) - quintet at the RFH and quartet with Cecil Taylor, also at the RFH - and they've both been among the best gigs I have ever, ever seen.

You got me!

I believe it's Lydia Kavina! There's also Pamela Kurstin, who has an album out on Tzadik IIRC.

Scheherezade - Regine Crespin - oh wow! I love much of the piano music...a particular favourite, for sentimental reasons, is the beautiful 'Menuet Sur Le Nom De Haydn'.

RIP - there's a recent one with Stan Tracey, I think, although I have to say I haven't heard it yet.

Is the guitar player Kelvyn Bell?

Just a quick 'up' for anyone in London (or who fancies making a trip to London) tomorrow night - Evan Parker Quartet at the Vortex. Would be great to see anyone there!

Shame about the band with Moran - all great players, sorry to hear it didn't gel! Caught Nasheet Waits a few weeks back with Tony Malaby and William Parker, and he was very special.

Changing tack entirely, check out Phil Minton!

How kind - thank you! Just the one record at the moment - looking to fix a second tour as soon as possible so we can make the next one!

Do they actually share a birthday? In any case - I haven't caught any of this on TV this year, but it's a great competition. Some truly phenomenal talents.

...my sextet has a few gigs coming up - for anyone in the UK, it'd be great if you could make one of the shows. Line-up: Orphy Robinson - steel pan Otto Fischer - electric guitar Alexander Hawkins - piano, compositions, arrangements Hannah Marshall - 'cello Dominic Lash - double bass Javier Carmona - drums, percussion Original compositions, free improvisations, also compositions by Braxton, Ra, Oliver Lake, Leo Smith...stuff like that! The gigs: Tomorrow (May 13): Vortex Jazz Club, London - 8.30pm Saturday May 17: Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading - 8.30pm Sunday May 18: Churchill College Recital Room, Cambridge - 8.00pm Also, a mention for another London gig later in the month, which I'm hugely excited about: Evan Parker Quartet (w/Alexander Hawkins, p; Dominic Lash, b; Tony Marsh, d) - Vortex Jazz Club, Thursday May 29. As I say - would be fantastic if anyone could make it!

Jim - afraid I know nothing of all this technical stuff(!) - but just wanted to say (I think it's one of yours): the Derek Bailey 'Standards' album on Tzadik sounds absolutely incredible. Really, probably the best guitar I've ever heard. Any memories of that session?

Has anyone here checked out Rob Brown's recent one - 'Crown Trunk Root Funk'? First listen this morning, and my impressions are very favourable. I enjoy Brown a lot, and the rhythm section here - Taborn, William Parker, and Gerald Cleaver, is really something. I think Taborn in particular is a VERY special player.

Very cool cover!