Just after our last gig of 2009, Mark 'Zoot' Norton, our esteemed saxophonist, flautist, blues harpist and occasional vocalist, told us that he was leaving the Unit.
We tried to persuade him to stay, but he has other plans, and feels the GDU has gone as far as it can. Following a very brief converation, the remaining four of us agreed that a GDU without Zoot is not worthy of the name, so once we've fulfilled our remaining engagements, we'll bring Gene's nine-year career to a close.
We've had some amazing times during the last decade, from our debut in the late BB's fantastic Forest Gate Dancing Club to playing the 100 Club 25 times, from our first trip abroad to the Autumn Stone festival in Cattolica to our mini-tour of France, the Ye-Ye in Gijon, regular returns to Bourges, and shows in Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Scotland and Sweden.
We've seen several changes of line-up, with Darren Young, Bill Ali, Clive Pearman and Phil Clark all playing parts in developing what became one of the most exciting live acts in London. Constant throughout, though, has been Zoot, whose energy and enthusiasm gave the Unit the focal point of excitement so often missing from instrumental bands. We'd all like to thank him for starting the band that gave all of us some of the most exciting musical moments of our careers - and the setting for innumerable stories that couldn't possibly be repeated on a family mailing list.
So - to 2010. Mark C is pushing ahead with the development of The Getup, Bleddyn's working hard in Dangerous Heresy, Clinton and Toby are getting a new blues project together with Valenka of the Moombas, and the Orgestra Koolberg and Hammond Hitmen will be hoping to get many more live dates.
Before that, the remaining members plan to retire Gene in style. We're back at the fantastic Bar Mondial in Antwerp, Belgium for a mod all-nighter on Friday March 19th, followed by our swansong at the ever-groovy Brussels Rhythm 'n' Blues Club on Saturday March 20th. There'll be some special tunes in the sets each night, and some extra-special memorabilia deals on the night.
Hope to see some of you there - more details to follow closer to the time.
Thanks to all of you who've supported the Unit over the years - we all hope you'll be as enthusiastic about our new projects.
Hope to see you soon!
Bleddyn, Clint, Mark C and Toby
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