[Wabbit taps microphone with paw]
Old Fish: Can you introduce yourself in five sentences?
The Wabbit: I think I can. I’m Commander Wabbit, a Secret Agent who just happens to be a rabbit. I work for the sinister yet effective Department of Wabbit Affairs to bring about the emancipation of all lagomorphs. In my adventures, I’m helped by my beloved, the Lovely Lapinette and a willing band of animal helpers. I have a most jazzy coat, and I don’t like it getting sullied in any way. Particularly by rain. The Wabbit has always been interested in jazz . Rabbits naturally gravitate towards jazz and draw close to loudspeakers – much in the same way as cats do for reggae. That’s more than five sentences, but I am merely a rabbit and predisposed to talk in the third person and go on a bit.
Old Fish: Do you know Acker Bilk? Who exactly is he?
The Wabbit: All rabbits know Acker as the Grand Old Man of British Jazz. He is Acker Bilk, G.O.M. from the great rabbitlands of Somerset. The Wabbit never met him, although he saw someone like him on an escalator in London Underground and hopped after him unsuccessfully. Perhaps he was going to the BBC. The Wabbit was introduced to Acker‘s music by his father who was a jazz aficionado and his favorite tune was Basin Street Blues. Basin Street is “the street where the best folks always meet.” So said the song anyway. [posts reminder: meet Acker in Basin Street, report back]
Old Fish: How important do you think Acker is to popular British music history?
The Wabbit: All rabbits know that Acker is British music history! He plays the jazz, he is the jazz. He was ahead of the great jazz revival that started in the 50s and continued through the 60s. Without Acker, many people would never have been bitten by the jazz bug [ouch!] And like the Wabbit, he has a great coat. In fact, Acker could even be a rabbit. He’s really hip; he’s really beat – he’s the original hopster.
Old Fish: Acker (83) is one of the oldest musicians in the world still touring around today. What do you think of that?
The Wabbit: Acker Bilk old? Surely not. But old is good. When the Wabbit looks for rare jazz records, they must be quite ancient and lightly scratched. Eventually he will acquire the Marching Union disc that Acker made for the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives. They were presented to young members who had completed a training scheme. [“Where’s my record?” *Scrabbles in fur for crumpled union card.* “Grrr wrong union …”]
Old Fish: Why should we go to see Acker Bilk live in Oxford this October?
The Wabbit: We must lope to Oxford with speed to see and hear a living legend – preferably at the same time! Jazz lovers should take every opportunity to experience Acker in action, no matter what kind of jazz they like. Make your way in any way you can in vast number… Go dressed as Acker. Look around, there will be many rabbits lurking in corners, wearing bowler hats and stripy shirts. Some will have clarinets and some saxophones, tucked into their fur. Beware the drummers, they flail. And if you can’t get there, get an old Acker LP from the cupboard and place it on the phonograph [you still have to wear the hat].
Old Fish: If people say, “Oh no, I don’t like Jazz”, what do you think I should do to persuade them to go? I haven’t got any guns.
The Wabbit: In his adventures. the Wabbit has a gun that shoots snail slime – and will lend it out for good causes. Slime is ticky-tacky stuff and maybe people will ticky tacky to jazz. Send these poor misguided people along to hear Acker – and if they don’t like it, then we can always shoot them on the way out.
Old Fish: I heard that you were going to give Acker a title…
The Wabbit: He is Mister Cool to the Wabbit.
Old Fish: Thank you very much Wabbit. May I see your rabbit smiley once more, because I think it’s brilliant!
The Wabbit: =: ) *grins with all of his 28 teeth* =: ) Now can I keep the microphone?
Old Fish: No.
The Wabbit is @followthewabbit Lapinette is @LovelyLapinette
Their adventures are at http://www.followthewabbit.com
The Wabbit is assisted by @CoinneachShanks and @LovelyLapinette and original coats by @rudywilf - but being the Commander, the Wabbit is in charge.
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