Samuel Joseph personally represents a select group of internationally recognised jazz and cabaret artists:
Buddy Greco / 4 Poofs and a Piano / Patricia Routledge / Liane Carroll / John Etheridge /
Lea Delaria / Lance Ellington / The Pavao Quartet / Never the Bride / Jessie Buckley /
Helena Blackman / Harry the Piano / Barb Jungr / Claire Martin and Richard Rodney Bennett / Sophia Ragavelas / Tammy Weiss / Edward Seckerson / Miriam Kramer /
Jonty Fisher's Flyright Trio / Janette Mason / Steve Ross / Abba Arrival / Anthony Shore 'As Elvis' / Al Pillay / Evva Mizerska and Emma Abbate / Maria Friedman / Nina Ferro / Georgia Mancio /
Dave Heenan / Angela Georgiou / Laurence Cottle Big Band with Claire Martin / Kelly Price /
Simon Green / Jon Nickoll / Gary Williams / Todd Gordon
For further information, CD requests or to discuss a booking, please contact:
Samuel Joseph
sjoseph.ent@gmail.com / 07929 462 259
BUDDY GRECO
Rat Pack legend singer and pianist Buddy Greco has experienced a truly incredible career that has seen him forge one of the longest recording histories of any living artist, encompassing international touring, millions of record sales and countless appearances on radio, television and in films. He has performed at some of the most prestigious venues around the world with some of the most famous artists and bands of all time including Dizzy Gillespie, Cole Porter, The Beatles, Dusty Springfield, Marilyn Monroe and his close friends Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
Buddy is on tour with his band and special guest star Lezlie Anders
4 POOFS AND A PIANO
After three sell out successes at the Edinburgh Festival and direct from their 60 date UK tour ‘More hairdresser than barbershop’, 4 Poofs and Piano - Ian Parkin, Stephen De Martin, David Roper and David Wickenden are making a welcome return to the stage with a brand new show titled Back in Business.
Having filmed 16 series as the house band on the BBC, BAFTA and comedy award winning ‘Friday Night with Jonathan Ross’ 4 Poofs and their piano have introduced guests ranging from Meryl Streep, Lionel Richie and Tom Jones to Will Young, Tom Hanks and John Travolta. They sang with Neil Diamond on ITV’s ‘An Audience Withe Neil Diamond’ and also with Jimmy Osmond on Richard and Judy’s ‘New Position’. In Dec 2005 they released their first CD ‘Screaming Party Anthems’ with Virgin EMI and make regular appearances at the world famous Glastonbury Festival.
In this fabulous new show the famous foursome are back with another helping of frisky footwork and musical madness. Back in Business sees the boys returning with their popular brand of irreverent humour together with lush harmonies. ‘Fun, outrageous and rarely in the best possible taste.’
PATRICIA ROUTLEDGE
It is still one of the best kept secrets in show business that Patricia Routledge trained not only as an actress but also as a singer and had considerable experience and success in musical theatre, both in this country and in the United States of America.
Her many awards include a Tony for her Broadway performance in the Styne-Harburg musical Darling of the Day (1967) and a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in Leonard Bernstein’s Candide (Old Vic 1989)
Her one woman show Come For The Ride toured the UK in 1988 and in 1992 she played Nettie Fowler in the highly acclaimed production of Carousel at the National Theatre.
In 1998 she was honoured with the Gold Badge of Merit by the Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.
LIANE CARROLL
Having picked up just about every British jazz award going in the last few years, including the 2008 Parliamentary Jazz Award for ‘Musician Of The Year,’ singer-pianist Liane Carroll has been hailed by critics and fans alike as one of our very finest jazz singers.
She has worked with an extensive roster of international artists, such as Gerry Rafferty, Gerry Donahue, Long John Baldry, and Sir Paul McCartney, as well as the fast soul outfit ‘London Elektricity.’
Since 2003 she has released four critically acclaimed jazz albums, one of which, ‘Slow Down,’ was voted by The Times as one of the top five jazz albums of 2007. Possessed of a huge vocal range, a prodigious musicality and an unerring sense of musical honesty, her live set is one of the most emotionally exciting to be found on the UK jazz circuit and covers a broad repertoire from the contemplative Tom Waits and Lauro Nyro, through to familiar jazz standards, as well as Liane’s self-penned original material.
Liane is touring in 2012 celebrating the release of her new album UP AND DOWN (quietmoney)
JOHN ETHERIDGE
John Etheridge rightly enjoys a glowing reputation throughout the jazz world and beyond and has been described by Pat Metheny as, "One of the best guitarists in the world". He is a prodigiously gifted and creative player whose approach to music can only be described as 'eclectic' as he refuses to accommodate or even acknowledge artificial musical boundaries. His range is well illustrated by his years of touring and recording with the iconic Stephane Grappelli while simultaneously doing likewise with the legendary jazz-fusion group, The Soft Machine. John is equally at home on acoustic and electric guitar and his willingness to engage with so many styles is matched by his ability to excel in any of them. He has played with John Williams, Yehudi Menuhin, Dizzie Gillespie, Herb Ellis, Mundell Lowe, Nigel Kennedy, Pat Metheny, Birelli Lagrene, Barney Kessel, Vic Juris and countless others.
LEA DELARIA
Lea DeLaria has distinguished herself in every form of entertainment that she touches: Jazz Musician, Broadway Diva, Actor, Writer and Stand-up Comic. It’s easy to see why Ben Brantley of The New York Times describes Lea as “Every inch a star”.
Her first Jazz album, Play It Cool was released on Warner Jazz in 2000. Hailed by The Times of London as “Best Jazz Album of 2001”, it featured the single ‘The Ballad of Sweeney Todd’, which remained at number one on Jazz radio in the States for two months. Her second album, Double Standards which debuted on the Billboard Jazz Chart at number six, received rave reviews in the UK and US press. The tracks ‘Call Me’ and ‘Philadelphia’ get regular radio play on both sides of the Atlantic.
LANCE ELLINGTON
Lance Ellington has become known as one of the UK’s most prominent male vocalist’s. Apart from recording and performing under his own name, his regular appearances on the BBC’s ‘ Strictly Come Dancing’ have endeared him to millions of UK dance and music fans. His charismatic style and sultry tones have entertained more than 30 million people all over the world.
His father Ray Ellington was one of England’s most famous jazz personalities, who, along with his group ‘The Ray Ellington Quartet’ performed as the house band on the legendary Goon Show.
The Pavão Quartet
The Pavão formed 10 years ago at the Royal Academy of Music, where they won many prizes individually and as an ensemble, culminating in their appointment as Chamber Music Fellows for two years. Classical recitals delightfully increased their knowledge of the highways and byways of the British Isles, besides taking them to the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Symphony Hall in Birmingham, Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, Gateshead’s Sage and Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall. In addition to an intensive UK schedule, their art has also given them opportunities to observe the skyscrapers of New York and the Great Wall of China, the Arabian desert and Jerusalem’s ‘Wailing Wall’, and an arc of European cities from Lisbon to Warsaw.
A CD of encore repertoire, Someone to Watch Over Me, launched their increasingly successful recording career, leading to prolonged playings on Classic FM, Radio 3 and Radio 2, including on Michael Parkinson’s show and ‘Friday Night is Music Night’. A recent disc of quartets by Bax and Elgar has been welcomed as ‘a real winner’ from ‘an ensemble of real depth and musical distinction’ (Classic FM Magazine), with ‘plenty of energy, precision and clarity’ (BBC Music Magazine) and ‘an intoxicating warmth and emotional spontaneity’ (The Strad Magazine). Music Web International christened it disc of the month, ‘an unqualified success – a real must-have!’ Their Christmas Collection for Breakthrough Breast Cancer also became the soundtrack of Christmas for many people, on disc and radio.
Although the great canon of music for string quartet is at the heart of their being, they enjoy exploring other worlds-through working with the award-winning Henri Oguike Dance Company, collaborating with jazz saxophonist Iain Ballamy, and performing with singers as diverse as Sir Willard White, Andrew Kennedy, Elaine Paige, Hayley Westenra, Charlotte Church and Victoria Hart. The Pavão’s experience in the studio has led to them recording for TV, the West End and film; recording music for Andrew Lloyd Webber, and even the X-Factor.
The Pavão Quartet's latest CD, ‘Dreaming’, was released in 2009 and is available on Amazon and in HMV.
NEVER THE BRIDE
When a rock ‘n roll band is fronted by an electrifying voice like Nikki Lamborn’s, when its songs are written by the gifted Catherine Feeney, when its musicians are world class, it’s called NEVER THE BRIDE. And people who ‘know’ know it. The powerhouse duo behind Shirley Bassey’s ‘Get This Party Started’ album and hit ‘The Living Tree’.
Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2: Never The Bride: "An absolutely brilliant band, one of the best live bands in Britain.”
Roger Daltrey of The Who: described Bristol-born Nikki Lamborn as “the best rock voice since Janis Joplin.”
Dame Shirley Bassey: hearing Nikki sing “The Living Tree,” said: “I got goose bumps and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up”. After Bassey recorded and performed live with Never the Bride, she described the experience as “Inspirational”.
JESSIE BUCKLEY
Irish born Jessie Buckley has been praised as one of the brightest rising stars on the musical theatre and jazz scenes. After gaining warm national recognition through her television appearances she went on to portray the vocally challenging role of Anne Egerman in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC directed by the legendary Trevor Nunn, firstly at the prestigious Menier Chocolate Factory and then on the West End. For this role she was deservedly nominated for the whatsonstage.com award for ‘Best Supporting Actress’.
Her sold out Valentine’s Week cabaret debut at London’s leading supper club Pizza on the Park sold out and earned her more plaudits.
I have never seen a cabaret debut as accomplished, daring and confident before as that made by Jessie Buckley, still only 20 years old’
Mark Shenton – The Stage
Watch on youtube:
jessie buckley youtube clip 1
jessie buckley youtube clip 2
HELENA BLACKMAN
Helena Blackman is a professional actress and singer and trained at the prestigious UK drama school, the Guildford School of Acting. Since graduating, her work has taken her all over the world and all over the country from Tokyo to Toronto, Gothenburg to Barbados, Edinburgh to Torquay. She has also been fortunate enough to work with some very inspiring people including Julia McKenzie, Ian McKellen and West End greats, Helen Moore, Alison Jiear and Joanna Riding to name just a few.
Helena is best known for her appearance on the BBC 1 show 'How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria', a search for the character, Maria Von Trap for a new West End revival of the musical 'The Sound Of Music'. She came second on the entertainment programme which has since won
numerous awards including an International Emmy, a Royal Television Society award and a Broadcasters award as well as being nominated for a British Academy Television award and a Broadcasting Press Guild Award.
Helena reached another final in the 'Voice of Musical Theatre 2006', which was broadcast on BBC Wales and BBC Radio 2, stiff competition as only professional musical theatre performers could compete. As a soloist Helena's favourite moments have been performing with and
working for composers Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stiles & Drewe, Kander & Ebb and Charles Miller, as well as singing for the Gershwin and David Heneker families, BBC radio 2's 'Friday Night Is Music Night' and appearing on 3 albums to date.
In 2008 she was nominated for a TMA award for best supporting actor for her role as Nellie Forbush in the UK number one tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'South Pacific'. Helena was also very honoured to meet Stephen Sondheim when he came to see the West End premiere of the
first ever show he wrote, 'Saturday Night' where she starred as leading lady Helen Fogel.
Helena is on tour with her solo concert in 2011.
HARRY THE PIANO
Virtuoso pianist Harry the Piano spent several years as the house pianist on Channel 4’s Big Breakfast and BBC1’s Johnny Vaughan Tonight, and now his solo show has taken the cabaret world by storm.
Taking live requests to play any song in any style as featured on BBC radio 2, 3 and 4 and BBC TV’s Children in Need, he has filled the Albert Hall, launched the QM2 and headlined at festivals worldwide. Expect musical comedy of “staggering virtuosity” by “The New Victor Borge” and understand why “You have never heard a piano played like this before!”
“The best damn pianist in the civilised world!” – Jonathan Ross
“Genius playing, I’m so jealous!” – Alan Rusbridger
“Spellbinding...staggering virtuosity” – Sunday Times
“Harry is a National Treasure” – The Scotsman
Watch Harry's remarkable interpretations of the Harry Potter Theme on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com
www.harrythepiano.com
BARB JUNGR
After an extraordinarily successful 2010, with her new CD The Men I Love released on Naim Label, appearances on NY1 and BBC Breakfast TV, a sellout tour of Australia, several highly praised shows in New York, and performances for the first time in St Louis, Cleveland and San Francisco, Barb Jungr is celebrating 2011 with touring the UK with a new live Dylan collection, reforming Girl Talk with Mari Wilson and Gwyneth Herbert, and collaborating again with Kuljit Bhamra and Simon Wallace on Durga Rising.
With rave reviews internationally and two New York awards (2008 Nightlife Award for Outstanding Cabaret Vocalist and Best International Artist 2003 Backstage Award), Barb Jungr is renowned for her unique vocal style, approach to arrangements and interpretation of song. Her acclaimed releases on Linn Reords and Naim Label, and "revelatory" live performances have brought her to the world stage and revealed her to be one of Europe's most exciting voices.
Critics have compared Jungr to Nina Simone and Peggy Lee, called her "a British Edith Piaf", "one of the best interpreters of Jacques Brel and Bob Dylan anywhere on this angst ridden planet today" (Village Voice, New York) "one of the best nightclub singers in the world" (Time Out New York) and “mesmerizing” (The New York Times).
She has worked with some of the finest musicians and composers in the UK, has toured all over the world for the British Council in the 1990's (Malawi, Cameroon, The Yemen, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Cote D'Ivoire, Sudan) recently appeared in Australia (2006, 2007 and a sellout tour in 2010), toured Norway and has appeared in Holland and often in New York (several seasons at The Cafe Carlyle and Metropolitan Room), and at Joe's Pub.
Singer and writer Barb Jungr was born and raised in the northwest of England. She worked with now legendary comedians and performers on the emerging Alternative Cabaret circuit in the UK (Julian Clary, Alexei Sayle, Arnold Brown) before beginning to create the themed shows which became her trademark and led her to the attention of Linn Records with whom she subsequently released 6 records before moving to the Naim label in 2010 for her latest release, The Men I Love.
"She draws out the stories the words tell with the focus of a fine actress"
Downbeat Magazine **** (4 stars)
Jungr combines touring with her work as a respected writer and lyricist, her credits include The Jungle Book, (Birmingham Stage Company), The Fabulous Flutterbys, (The Little Angel Theatre), Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast and Dick Whittington for The Newbury Corn Exchange,and Mabel Stark Tiger Tamer currently in development for Northampton Royal and Derngate.
In 2012 she tours the UK.
Barb is based in London.
CLAIRE MARTIN and RICHARD RODNEY BENNETT
The acclaimed duo first forged their unique partnership at Pizza on the Park in 2000; their last appearance there was in December 2009 and they recently performed a sell out concert at London’s King’s Place. Their residency at New York’s legendary Oak Room was a critical and popular triumph.
Their shows typically draw on the broad palette and eclectic sensibilities of their collective repertoires. Past shows have included material from Joni Mitchell, Elvis Costello and Tom Waits, alongside gems from the Great American Songbook.
A performance from Claire and Richard promise a welcome dose of the mesmerising synergy, impeccable musicianship and consummate sophistication that characterises a combined performance by these two great artists.
…"World-class" - The Times
…"Style does not go out of style" - The Daily Telegraph
‘When Lights Are Low’ and other Claire Martin titles are released on Linn Records: www.linnrecords.com
SOPHIA RAGAVELAS
Having graduated from London Studio centre, Sophia Ragavelas has worked extensively in the West End for the past eleven years. Leading roles include 'Eponine' in Les Miserables, 'Sophie' in Mamma Mia!, 'Rose' in Brighton Rock, 'Fantine' in Les Miserable and 'Chloe' in the Take That musical Never Forget.
She has recently returned from Australia, having travelled and worked with new writers and directors.
Due for release this year Sophia Ragavelas' debut album will showcase her wonderful vocal versatility with an exciting selection of musical theatre and pop.
"Ragavelas possesses that rare quality of raw talent blended with eye catching charisma" - The Stage
"Superbly detailed punchy performance"- Whatsonstage.com
TAMMY WEISS
Tammy is a fine Canadian singer, now resident in London, who has been
performing to great acclaim in her native Vancouver. She sings a mix of
classic jazz standards and beautifully crafted originals which she performs
with a wonderful sense of melody and swing. Her debut album, 'Legacy', was
well received and led to appearances on national TV and radio as well as
gigs at both the Montreal and Vancouver Jazz Festivals.
Tammy has written with Grammy Award winner Terry Britten (Tina Turner), Tim
Fraser (Lulu), and Tom Cawley (Peter Gabriel), for her new album 'Where I
Need to Be', which was released at a sold out Ronnie Scotts Club in March
2010 . She has been heard on Radio stations across the country; including
Jamie Cullums show on BBC Radio Two and she has recently been nominated for
London Jazz Vocalist 2010.
Her London highlights include; meeting HRM the Queen in June of this year,
supporting the Canadian Tenors with Hayley Westenra, performing with Randy
Bachman, Bobby McFerrin and Jamie Cullum to name a few
"Gives me the shivers..." Paul Grant, CBC Radio One
"Isn't she great! Now there's a vocalist! " Michael Buble
"She's the real deal..." Time Out, London
EDWARD SECKERSON
Writer and broadcaster Edward Seckerson is Chief Classical Music and Opera Critic for The Independent and a founder member of The Arts Desk.Com. He wrote and presented the long-running BBC Radio 3 series Stage & Screen in which he interviewed many of the most prominent writers and stars of musical theatre.
www.edwardseckerson.biz
MIRIAM KRAMER
Miriam Kramer, the American violinist gave her debut recital at the Alice Tully Hall in New York’s Lincoln Center several years ago. A rapturous review from the New York Times said that Miriam was “a gifted violinist who proved a soulful performer showing flair and temperament, fine sensitivity and warmth”. Having performed with orchestra most of the standard concerti, her concerts have been greeted with similar accolades for performances from Bach to Bloch and Brahms to Shostakovich in such halls as the Théâtre des Champs Elysées, Barbican Hall, Queen Elizabeth and Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center. Her many recitals have taken her to venues around the UK and to festivals such as the Dartington where, in the addition to giving master classes, playing chamber music and giving solo recitals, she performed as soloist with Dartington Festival Orchestra, this summer she will again play with the orchestra performing the Alban Berg Concerto. Miriam’s debut recital at the Wigmore Hall drew further praise from the critics. Rick Jones of the London Evening Standard pronounced it “brilliant and left impressed” while Strad Magazine stated, “Kramer Steals the Show – the intensity and rich allure of her performance was nothing short of spellbinding”.
JONTY FISHER’S ‘FLYRIGHT TRIO’
The talented Flyright Trio takes the audience on a trip down memory lane while at the same time giving classic songs a fresh treatment. The band pay homage to the late Nat 'King' Cole and also perform classic jazz standards from the Great American Songbook; with a few originals thrown in for good measure.
With their own unique arrangements, including three-part vocal harmonies, they combine virtuosity and swinging rhythm with infectious joie de vivre to perform a lively evening of classic jazz.
JANETTE MASON
“A band leader of pugnacious flair and genuine unpredictability” James Griffiths - The Guardian
If you think you may not know Janette Mason, you have seen and heard her on many albums from Ian Shaw to Robert Wyatt, live in concert with Oasis, Pulp, k.d. Lang, Suzanne Vega, Seal and Jimmy Somerville as well as writing theme tunes for television and sound tracks for the movies including the award-winning ‘Ruby Blue’ starring Bob Hoskins and ‘Sex and the City’. She was recently commissioned to write the score for MEDB’s Feature Film, ‘The Calling’, starring Susannah York and Brenda Blethyn.
A sought after side man for the likes of Claire Martin and Lea DeLaria, Janette Mason is a talented Performer, Arranger, Composer and Musical Director. She contributed four arrangements to Ian Shaw’s Album ‘Drawn to all Things’ and produced and arranged Lea DeLaria’s current Warner Brothers release ‘The Live Smoke Sessions’, which made the Grammy Ballot.
STEVE ROSS
The "Crown Prince of New York Cabaret" -- that's what the The New York Times called Steve Ross some 20 years ago. He hasn't lost his title yet. In fact, the only change today would be dropping "New York", for in the past decade, Steve Ross has performed around the country and around the world, in every kind of venue, from cabarets, to theaters, to Carnegie Hall, to the Cabaret Convention.
Steve sings and plays piano in symphony halls, theatres, the finest supper clubs and festivals. A wonderfully articulate performer, with an encyclopedic knowledge of popular American music and its history, he has hosted radio series and outdoor concerts. In addition, he volunteers his time to "Hearts and Voices", a voluntary organization where artists contribute their time and talent to AIDS patients.
He has been a regular visitor to London for over 30 years with annual tours.
ABBA ARRIVAL
The UK’s foremost ABBA tribute group in their acclaimed show THE NAME OF THE GAME
‘Simply the best Abba show I have seen bar none‘ THE STAGE
‘The Best Abba show since Abba‘ THE HONG KONG CONVENTION CENTRE
ANTHONY SHORE ‘AS ELVIS’
The UK’s premier interpreter of the great Elvis Presley in an amazing show ELVIS: YOU JUST CAN’T HELP BELIEVING
drawing across the far reaching breadth of ‘The King’s’ rich repertoire
AL PILLAY
One of the UK entertainment’s most glittering and charismatic characters AL PILLAY had top ten hits with ‘Pistol In My Pocket’ (1986) produced by Stock, Aitken and Waterman in Australia, France and Italy, as well as having the No. 1 spot on British dance floors throughout the 1980s and ‘Human Nature’ (1991 with Gary Clail). He appeared numerous times on Top Of The Pops.
Al has starred on television in Whatever You Want with Keith Allen and Four For Tonight with Ruby Wax, The Comic Strip Presents and in the feature film Eat The Rich (also starring Sir Paul McCartney, Nigel Planer, Miranda Richardson and Robbie Coltrane). Radio and voice-over work followed, as well as numerous TV appearances on everything from The Clothes Show to The ITV Chart Show.
EVVA MIZERSKA | EMMA ABBATE CELLO/PIANO DUO
Evva Mizerska and Emma Abbate started working together in 2003 and have performed in many European countries and in UK venues such as Fairfield Halls, Cheltenham Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields and Blackheath Halls. Recent performances include evening recitals at the Salzburger Schlosskonzerte, the Aldo Ciccolini Musical Association (Naples) and the Pump Room (Bath). They have just released their début CD with Toccata Classics - a world première recording of complete works for cello and piano by the contemporary Polish composer Krzysztof Meyer. They have given several world premières, including Two Romantic Pieces for Cello and Piano by Stephen Dodgson, Numen by Piotr Grella Możejko and Blue Note by Weronika Ratusińska.
Evva has just released a CD on Toccata Classics (www.toccataclassics.com) featuring her in a duo setting with the Polish pianist Katarzyna Glensk. The CD is the first complete recording of works for cello and piano by Polish contemporary composer Krzysztof Meyer and includes a world premiere recording of his 2nd Cello and Piano Sonata. The CD has been praised in the June issue of The Strad magazine for “…great expressive range and impressive authority”.
In various duo settings Evva has performed extensively in the UK and Europe (Salzburg – Nola festival, Italy, Germany); she also undertook an extremely successful recital tour in Brazil last year, as well as major concerts in Poland, the Czech Republic, US and Spain.
As a Junior Fellow at Trinity College of Music in London Evva has organised and performed a series of five concerts with Polish contemporary music for cello (solo, with piano and with electronics). These resulted in several commissions – pieces have been written for her, especially for this project. There are also several others – solo and with electronics by composers such as groundbreaking young composer Aleksandra Gryka or Maciej Zielinski.
Evva and Emma have an impressively wide range of contemporary music repertoire, including works by British, Polish and other international composers.
MARIA FRIEDMAN
‘Maria Friedman gives a star performance, warm, glowing and captivating’ - The Sunday Times
‘The greatest show singer of her generation’ - International Herald Tribune
Star of Broadway and West End Maria Friedman is launching an international tour following a spectacularly successful 12 months which saw her show Maria Friedman Re-Arranged transfer from the Menier Chocolate Factory (the most influential of the off-West End houses) to the West End for an acclaimed run at The Trafalgar Studios.
She followed up with a strictly limited sold out run as part of The Great British Songbook season at The Shaw Theatre (at the time Michael Feinstein's resident theatre). In August 2009 Maria appeared in a very special two night only series of intimate shows with Marvin Hamlisch at Pizza Express Dean St Jazz Club, personally invited by Marvin personally to be featured vocalist in the show alongside Broadway star J Mark McVey.
Maria has previously performed 3 acclaimed extended seasons at Manhattan’s Café Carlyle.
Her new show, MARIA FRIEDMAN IN CONCERT, is an amalgamation of her Re-Arranged and Great British Songbook programmes, featuring Maria’s stunning voice performing unique arrangements of material by Sondheim, Lennon and McCartney, Michel Legrand and Noel Coward.
The first lady of the British musical stage, Maria is a beloved performer who starred in the London versions of major American musicals like Chicago, Passion, Lady In The Dark, Ragtime and Sunday In The Park With George. She was praised for her “shattering performance” in her much-anticipated Broadway debut in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Woman In White. And was hailed as “deeply expressive” by The New York Times and was called “completely authentic and seldom less than inspiring” by USA Today.
From musical theatre to plays, film, television, radio, concerts and recording, Maria Friedman is one of Britain’s finest actresses, with an unprecedented three Olivier Awards and seven nominations for her work in musical theatre. She won her first Olivier Award for her one-woman show Maria Friedman: By Special Arrangement at London’s famous Donmar Warehouse and a second Olivier Award followed for her performance as ‘Fosca’ in Passion. Her performances in Sunday In The Park With George and Lady In The Dark, both at the Royal National Theatre, earned her two more Olivier Award nominations. Other work for the stage includes Blues In The Night, April In Paris and the National Theatre’s production of Ghetto.
Her US debut CD, ‘Now and Then’, was released by Sony Classical on May 2, 2006 to coincide with her third engagement at the Café Carlyle. The disc, comprised of songs recorded in London with full orchestra and new tracks recently recorded in New York, features a special guest performance by the composer Stephen Sondheim.
NINA FERRO
Nina Ferro is a London based jazz/soul vocalist and songwriter.
Born in Melbourne, Australia to Italian parents, Nina's musical upbringing started with the family record player. Out of the speakers came a mix of classical music, especially opera (her paternal grand mother was a mezzo-soprano), Soul, Motown, Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz and Pop could be heard. Her favourite singers as a young girl were Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Elvis Presley. Nina began piano lessons at the age of 8, trained classically as an opera singer from the age of 14, but her passion for singing Soul and Jazz took over and she began singing professionally by the age of 15. By the age of 20 she began touring the world performing at festivals, clubs, concerts, TV, radio and guest appearances throughout the USA, Europe, Australasia and The Middle East.
Since relocating to the UK in 2005 Nina is fast establishing her mark as one of the hottest young Soul-Jazz vocalists on the UK scene. She is a multi award-winning vocalist, songwriter, session and recording artist whose powerful yet sensuous voice and stunning vocal range have done much to establish her enviable international reputation.
"Ferro's voice is a pleasure to hear.... natural, sexy and effortless." Cadence Magazine, New York.
Nina has performed alongside such Jazz legends and music greats as Tony Bennett, Chick Corea, Dave Sanborn, Jimmy Scott, Monty Alexander, Les Paul, Hugh Jackman, Jose Feliciano, Billy Ocean, Ricky Martin, Kyle Eastwood, Curtis Stigers, Eddie Floyd, Chris Botti, Frank McComb, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, The Blues Brothers Band and The Commitments. Nina performs regularly at prestigious London venues including Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Cafe De Paris, The Barbican, Pizza Express Dean Street, 606 Club, Shepherd's Bush Empire, Pizza on the Park, The Pigalle Club, Spice of Life and many more.
GEORGIA MANCIO
In just a decade of professional work jazz vocalist, Georgia Mancio, has established herself as one of the UKs most important new artists. This has been compounded by: appearances with Bobby McFerrin (2009 Meltdown and 2003 London Jazz Festival), Sheila Jordan and David Linx (Belgium 2006), Frank Griffith Nonet, Liane Carroll, Bobby Wellins and Ian Shaw, Norma Winstone and Anita Wardell (The True Jazz Voice 2008); a first prize win at the 2005 Brussels International Young Jazz Singers Competition; 4 star live reviews from both The Standard and The Guardian; three albums and numerous sell-out performance dates and tours in the UK, Poland, Italy, Portugal and Belgium including support slots opposite Cedar Walton and Steve Smith at Ronnie Scott's.
Mancios music is an intriguing reflection of her Anglo-Latino background: predominantly a jazz standards singer born and raised in the UK, her musical lineage goes back first to her Italian grandparents (an opera singer and concert pianist) and then to her Uruguayan great-grandmother, also a pianist. It is no surprise then to hear the breadth of material covered in one of her shows (from Rodgers and Hart and Harry Warren to Kenny Wheeler, Tom Waits, samba, originals, blues, Chilean folk and Italian pop) or the ease with which she switches from English to Italian to Spanish to Brazilian Portuguese. And indeed it is her affinity with language and languages that has been key to her work as a lyricist on compositions by Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Horace Silver and Osvaldo Farres alongside collaborations with songwriting partners Tim Lapthorn, Kate Williams and Frank Griffith.
Her 2003 debut album, Peaceful Place, was followed by Trapeze in 2008. Critical acclaim from press, promoters and audiences alike overwhelmingly announced her as a major new talent more than capable of reproducing live the joyous, vibrant and imaginative work heard on record. Her third album, Silhouette, has just been released. It includes several collaborations with UK musicians and composers including acclaimed vocalist, Ian Shaw, with whom Georgia has performed at The Pizza Express Jazz Club, North Devon Festival, Pizza on the Park, the 606 Club, the City of London Festival and The Royal Festival Hall with the Voicelab Choir (London Jazz Festival 2009
DAVE HEENAN
New York based comedian and singer His hard-working, high-energy and non-stop laughs make Dave the ultimate headliner!! He offers a Great "Squeaky Clean" show for all ages on cruise ships and at conventions. He dwells on humor in the realities of everyday living, relating to people of all ages or backgrounds. His hilarious observations hit home every time!
ANGELA GEORGIOU
Singer, songwriter and actress Angela Georgiou started performing in the West Wnd at the age of twelve and had her first solo performance as "Evita" in an adaptation of the box office smash hit, at the age of sixteen. Angela then went on to sing and feature in a "playstation" karaoke commercial and was featured in a choir scene for an American film production called "If Only". Angela continues to sing covers for corporate, wedding and function events where she enjoys singing with live bands such as "The Satellites" who have worked with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Gary Barlow and who have been the core members of Spandau Ballet - Toni Hadley's reformed band. Angela also enjoys being part of an acoustic duo. Her sound has derived from a variety of influences including soul, Jazz, Motown, R&B and pop. Venues performed include: Leicester Pride festival, Essex F.M, Turnmills, Madam Jo, Jo's - Performing alongside Sinita, The Roadhouse, Turnmills and many more. Angela also writes her own songs and continues to work in film and television where she has worked with the likes of Johnny Depp and Keira Knightly.
THE LAURENCE COTTLE BIG BAND with CLAIRE MARTIN
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The inspired combination of Claire Martin UK’s finest female jazz vocalist and a big band consisting of the leading jazz musicians matched with arrangements and original compositions from one of the greatest musical minds, bass virtuoso Laurence Cottle, creates a dynamic synergy that is at times explosive, swinging, moving and always in the groove.
Following several critically acclaimed seasons at London’s leading jazz venue, Ronnie Scott’s, The Laurence Cottle Big Band with Claire Martin is on tour, nationally and internationally 2009/2010.
KELLY PRICE
Recently seen on the West End playing Ellen in The Misanthrope with Damian Lewis and Keira Knightley stunning singer-actress Kelly Price's theatre credits include: Countess Charlotte Malcolm in A Little Night Music (Menier Chocolate Factory & Garrick Theatre); Roxie Hart in Chicago (Cambridge Theatre); Roberta Glass in Desperately Seeking Susan (Novello Theatre); Little Voice in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice(Watermill Theatre); Sarah Brown in Guys ‘n’ Dolls (Piccadilly Theatre) and Lisa and Sophie inMamma Mia! (Prince of Wales Theatre).
Her acclaimed cabaret show has been featured at Cafe de Paris, Le Pigalle, The Ivy Club, Lauderdale House, Pizza on the Park and The Pheasantry.
SIMON GREEN
Acclaimed actor/singer Simon Green and collaborator David Shrubsole on tour with their hit show SIMON GREEN - TRAVELLING LIGHT (nominated for a 2010 Drama Desk nomination for ‘Outstanding Musical Revue’) direct from New York’s Feinstein’s at Loew’s Regency and 59E59.
Among Simon’s many London and West End credits are the original West End productions of three Stephen Sondheim musicals. He appeared as Young Ben in FOLLIES (Shaftesbury Theatre), Torasso in PASSION (Queen’s Theatre) and as Jules/Bob Greenberg in the recent multi award winning SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (Menier Chocolate Factory and Wyndham’s Theatre). Simon made his West End debut playing Tony in Cameron Macintosh’s 30th anniversary production of THE BOYFRIEND and went onto play Robespierre in THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL (Her Majesty’s); Merrythought in THE KNIGHT OF THE BURNING PESTLE (Young Vic at the Barbican); Lumiere in Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Dominion); Clorinda in LA CENERENTOLA (Drill Hall); Whizzer in MARCH OF THE FALSETTOS (Albery); Brian in ELEGIES FOR ANGELS, PUNKS AND RAGING QUEENS (Criterion); Titus Lartius in CORIOLANUS (Young Vic); Frank Shallard in ELMER GANTRY (Gate); Dick in LADY BE GOOD (Regent’s Park); ALONE TOGETHER (King’s Head). For the Royal Shakespeare Company he played the Tin Man in THE WIZARD OF OZ (Stratford and Barbican) and Frank Schultz in SHOWBOAT, co-production with Opera North (London Palladium and national tour).
Simon has played leading roles in many of Britain’s best regional theatres including Bernard Nightingale in ARCADIA, Henry Carr in TRAVESTIES (both by Tom Stoppard), Crestwell in Noel Coward’s RELATIVE VALUES, the title role in DON GIOVANNI, M. Andre in Lloyd Webber’s PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, acting and directing at Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s theatre in Scarborough and two Christmas seasons as the dames Widow Twankey in ALLADIN and Sarah the Cook in DICK WHITTINGTON at the Oxford Playhouse.
Television includes; Affinity, Robin Hood, Roman Road, Urban Gothic, Rhona, Eastenders, In The Red, Julia Jekyll And Harriet Hyde, The Upper Hand, After Henry, Never The Twain, Victoria Wood As Seen On TV, The Two Of Us, The Agatha Christie Hour, The Good Companions.
Films include; A Christmas Carol, Bedrooms and Hallways, Day Release, Dead in the Water
Radio includes; Syncro, Henry IV pt 1, Much Ado About Nothing, Carl Magnus in A Little Night Music, Timothy in Salad Days, Sister of Death, and Cosmo in Call Me Madam.
Other recordings include; Original cast recordings of Sunday In The Park With George,The Boyfriend, Follies, Passion, Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens and The Wizard of Oz. Studio recordings of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, South Pacific, Kismet, What About Love and Showboat for TER and Anything Goes, Showboat, Kiss Me Kate, Annie Get Your Gun, Salad Days, Weill on Bradway, and The Lady of the Slipper for EMI
Together with his musical director and arranger, David Shrubsole, Simon’s cabaret, SIMON GREEN – SOLO, has been seen extensively in London at the Pizza on the Park, The Café Royal, Leighton House, The October Gallery, Riverwalk at The Oxo Tower, Lauderdale House, Belair House, The Talk of London, Jermyn Street Theatre and at Cliveden. In 1999 he was invited to sing in MAD ABOUT THE BOY, Noel Coward’s centennial gala celebration at Carnegie Hall with, amongst others, Barbara Cook, Elaine Stritch. He returned to New York to perform his solo show at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall for the Hawthorn Foundation.
JON NICKOLL
An exceptionally gifted and electrifying performer, 32 year old singer-pianist Jon Nickoll is one of the rising stars of the UK’s revitalised jazz /swing scene.
In 2010 Jon launches a major international tour with his band celebrating the great vocalist Bobby Darin’s iconic album ‘Darin at the Copa’ which captured Darin’s triumphant debut at the legendary nightspot with his interpretations of such classics as ‘Mack The Knife’, ‘Dream Lover’, ‘I Can’t Give You Anything But Love’, ‘I Got A Woman’ and ‘That’s All’. Jon and his stellar band will recreate the album in its entirety in the first half of the show, and in the second deliver an eclectic mix of familiar jazz and swing.
Like his contemporaries Harry Connick Jr and Jamie Cullum before him, Jon Nickoll launched his career entertaining in some of the finest venues in the world, and was the youngest ever resident musician at the London’s Savoy Hotel’s legendary American Bar where his vocals and piano dazzled audiences every night from 2004 with his encyclopedic knowledge of popular song from Sinatra through to the Oasis, not to mention an exhaustive knowledge of every Elvis song ever recorded. He was personally invited back for a special guest residency when the great hotel re-opened its doors in October 2010 and was interviewed at length by media including the BBC. He has been in demand internationally, jetting off to entertain at parties in New York, Hong Kong, Spain, Amsterdam and the acclaimed Crillon Hotel in Paris as well as personally entertaining luminarie such as Bill Clinton and Robert DeNiro.
A performance from Jon Nickoll is personified by a style reminiscent of the Golden Era of the Rat Pack infused by electrifying musicianship.
GARY WILLIAMS
Described as “a true song stylist” by London What’s On, star of the West End’s “Rat Pack” Gary Williams has become a favorite performer with leading big bands and orchestras including the BBC Concert Orchestra, Royal Scottish National, the Melbourne Symphony, the Adelaide Symphony, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Ireland’s RTE. He had the honor of performing for Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace, at Frank Sinatra’s Palm Springs home for the LA Jazz Festival, toured in The Magic of Bacharach and The Legend of Sinatra. TV work includes specials with Donny Osmond, Burt Bacharach and BBC1’s ‘Doctor Who’. His latest albums, a tribute to Sinatra and a “best of” his Abbey Road recordings, have just been released, prompting Oscar winning lyricist Don Black to say “In a world of Pop Idol mediocrity Gary Williams shines like a dazzling beacon.”
TODD GORDON
In just a few years, Todd Gordon established himself as “one of Britain’s most popular singers and entertainers” (Scottish Television). He’d been an avid Beatles’ fan until the age of eleven when he first heard Sinatra. From then, he collected every album by Ol' Blue Eyes before broadening his interest in jazz and swing to encompass many other renowned singers and instrumentalists.
In 1975 he met Ella Fitzgerald prior to her show and, during the concert, she invited him on stage and sang specially to him. He was also fortunate in meeting many of his other idols, including Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Count Basie, Woody Herman, George Shearing and Tony Bennett.
Over the last six years, Todd has performed at many of the most prestigious venues, with frequent appearances at Britain’s top jazz venues, including Pizza Express Jazz Room, The 606 in Chelsea and the world-renowned Ronnie Scott’s. He’s performed at The Plaza and Algonquin hotels in New York – where he even did a duet with actor Christopher Walken, singing “I've Got You Under My Skin” – and also features in jazz festivals and concerts. He is the first-ever Scottish male jazz singer to have been booked for the London Jazz Festival with his gig at the Royal Opera House in 2007, and a sell-out return visit in 2009.
He has recorded three albums with Ian Shaw in the producer’s chair: “Love’s Illusions” then “Ballads from The Midnight Hotel”. An album celebrating the work of the legendary American Songbook lyricist, Johnny Mercer, was his next project with the acclaimed Mel Tormé pianist, John Colianni.
A compilation CD, entitled “The Sunday Album” is available in December whilst the new album - “Made in Korea” - will be released early next year. It was recorded in Seoul following the success of one of his recordings being used as a theme song in a top-rating Korean TV drama series. Already, several songwriters have praised Todd’s interpretations of their songs, including the legendary Mike Stoller, the hugely successful Gilbert O’Sullivan, and the co-composer of Sinatra’s “Watertown” masterpiece, Jake Holmes.
Todd’s concerts appeal to a wider audience than just jazz lovers; he has carefully crafted several crowd-pulling, and audience-pleasing concert themes, several of which have garnered 4- and 5- star reviews. These feature line-ups ranging from a top flight trio, to formats including the superb BBC Big Band and award-winning Back to Basie Orchestra.