empressorchestra

Hi All,

I wanted to share with you the recent CD review from ‘Dance Today’ (August 2009). As always, your comments are welcome should you wish to share them. I must admit, I wasn’t aware so many different bands/orchestras had appeared over the Blackpool Dance Festival’s history.

Best wishes,

Ashley Frohlick

Alan Parker reviews the new album from the Empress Orchestra.

Most people will immediately know the Empress Orchestra as the one that plays at the Blackpool Dance Festivals, mainly performing in the world-famous Empress Ballroom of the Winter Gardens. The mantle taken over by current leader, Ashley Frohlick from those giants of Blackpool past – Harry Wood, Herman Darewski , Bertini, Norman Newman, Larry Brennan, Charles Farrell, Tommy Jones, Charles Barlow, Ken Turner, and Irven Tidswell – brought with it great responsibility. That is, to preserve the distinctive sound from the arrangements of past leaders, as well as the reputation of the 80-plus years of history surrounding the festivals. Not only has Ashley Frohlick done this, but he has added in some new arrangements, some fresh and wonderful music that adds to the unique sound enjoyed by dancers all over the world.

Ashley started to think about the project in 2002 and the process of  introducing new compositions and orchestrations, brand new arrangements of established works and completely new tunes has taken time, careful thought and an incredible amount of work. The result is an exceptional dance music CD.

ALWAYS & FOREVER has 18 tracks covering all of the ten main Ballroom and Latin rhythms. There is almost 45 minutes of the most delightful music to inspire dancers, whether social or professional, both of whom are well served by this CD.

At the Blackpool Dance Festival I was able to enjoy hearing these fine sounds live, and now, through this CD, I – and very many others can re-live those moments. One of my particular favourites is “Unforgettable”, and it would have been a very suitable album title. However the foxtrot is just one of 18 tracks sure to move you around the dancefloor. We must thank Ashley for continuing tradition and for adding more outstanding music to the history of the very finest music for dancing!

I had a brief conversation with the team at DSI about our albums ‘Always & Forever’ and ‘Hushabye Outcast’ and thought it would be nice to offer a discount to those wishing to purchase both albums at the same time.

As ‘Hushabye Outcast’ is a limited edition CD and DSI are the only distribution company selling both albums, I wanted visitors to our website to hear news of this offer first.

If you’re interested, please click on the image to the left and go directly to the DSI website.

Best wishes,

Ashley Frohlick

I’ve had dozens of emails recently asking whether the Empress Dance Band and Orchestra will be performing for dancing during the 2009 summer season from the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool.

Unfortunately the answer is “no“.

This year Leisure Parcs has decided not to cater for dancers during the evening and has opted instead to put on ‘Legends’ for five nights of rock music.

I believe that you can dance to the resident organists in the Ballroom between 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, but no dancing at all on Mondays and Fridays.

As ever, we welcome your comments should you wish to share them.

Best wishes,

Ashley Frohlick

For those of you who speak Japanese, or more importantly can read it; Volumes 49 – 51 of Studio Himawari’s magazine ‘Dance Wing’ is featuring three articles I was asked to write for its readers.

The magazine is packed full of information, adverts for dance-wear, shoes, jewellery, photo galleries of the hairstyles and fashions worn this year during the Blackpool Dance Festival and much, much more. I speak very little Japanese and am unable to read their beautiful writing, but it’s set out in such a way that even I (a non-dancer) can pretty much understand.

It also contains a delightful half hour DVD presented by Anne Laxholm, (former European Ballroom Champion) called ‘Keeping it Human’. The lecture and demonstration by Anne was filmed during the Ballroom Dancers’ Federation International UK Congress 2009.

The articles I have written are (as you might expect) about all things ‘Empress’: Our involvement with the Blackpool Dance Festival, the album ‘Always & Forever’, and amongst other things; an insight into what happens behind the scenes and offstage during the Festival.

‘Volume 49’ is available now and looks great (it oozes Asian culture). The articles have also been written in English for those that can’t read Japanese. If you’d like to see for yourself, please follow the link to Dance Wing where ‘Vol. 49’ should appear online shortly.

Best wishes,

Ashley Frohlick

I just wanted to thank Katie Gregory (the editor of Dance Today) for featuring the Empress Orchestra in their May edition. The five-page article was a behind-the-scenes look at how our album ‘Always & Forever’ was recorded.

The piece, wonderfully written by Alison Gallagher-Hughes, captures the essence of a day in the recording studio with the boys and myself.

If you’d like to get hold of a copy of the May edition then you can do so through the Dance Today website. And if you have any questions about the whole recording process, then by all means pose a question below and I’ll try to answer as best as I can.

Best wishes,

Ashley Frohlick

Thanks to all who have emailed and sent congratulatory texts about last nights show on BBC Radio 2. The host, Malcolm Laycock, featured no less than three tracks from our recent album and gave it an excellent revue.

For those of you that didn’t catch the programme you can listen to it via the BBC iplayer (click the link) though you’ll have to hurry as it’s only there for another six days. After that, you’ll have to buy the CD to hear the tracks again.

(The programme starts around 1 minute and 25 seconds in to the audio clip)

Best wishes,

Ashley Frohlick

To coincide with the Blackpool Dance Festival 2009 and the launch of the first ever Empress Orchestra album ‘Always & Forever’ I decided it was time for a new-look web site. If you haven’t already taken the time to look through our web site then please feel free to do so now, or bookmark us for the near future.

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There are loads of photos (some of which can be enlarged) and also videos of the orchestra and dance band plus a new initiative inviting you to become a “Friend” of the Empress Orchestra.

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It won’t cost you anything to become a member, you won’t be inundated with emails, nor will your details be passed on to any third parties; you might actually win a prize or two.

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As the site is being updated regularly with plans for more videos and other interesting items, please come and visit us again soon.

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Best wishes,

Ashley Frohlick

Well I’ve finally managed to put fingers to keyboard and write something on the blog page, please feel free to join in whenever you like.

It’s been another hugely successful Blackpool Dance Festival and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I consider myself very fortunate to able to stand in front of such a magnificent orchestra, listening to some great music and watching some of the world’s best dancers battle it out from the best seat in the house.

The orchestra’s music has once again received some wonderful comments from judges, competitors and spectators alike and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their thoughts with the members of the orchestra and myself. It really does make a difference!

The new album ‘Always & Forever’ has been a huge hit with Ballroom and Latin dancers as well as members of the general public and I would like to thank all that have bought a copy of the CD, I hope it brings you years of happiness.

Best wishes,

Ashley Frohlick

I just wanted to let everyone know that Malcolm Laycock from BBC Radio 2 will be playing a few tracks from the new Empress Orchestra album ‘Always & Forever’ on his show between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Sunday 28 June.

As the BBC stopped playing music from the dance bands back in January of this year it represents quite an honour for us to be featured on the programme and hopefully you’ll have the time to tune in and hear what Malcolm thinks of the first album by the Empress Orchestra.

If you would like a copy of our album for yourself or someone you know, then please click on Buy CDs from the above menu to link to the DSI web site; it’s a cracking album and I know you’ll love it.

Best wishes,

Ashley Frohlick