Elementor #2658

Theatre: The Girl in Paradise Now and Then (GaySweat Shop Theatre/ Drill Hall), The Girl in Blues in the Night (Liverpool Playhouse/No 1. Tour), Lorraine Hansberry in Black Heroes in the Hall of Fame (No.1 Tour USA), Bess in Porgy & Bess and Helene in La Belle Helene (USA Euphonious Opera Company), Jazz & Blues Concerts, Polly Pepper in A Peck of Pickled Pepper (Oily Carte Company), Belle in A Christmas Carol (Theatre Venture), Cleopatra in Anthony and Cleopatra (Birmingham), Genie in Aladdin (Northampton Theatre Royal), Mabel in Tapping Harlem(No.1 Tour), Puss in Puss in Boots (Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal), Marcella Jones in The Marriage of Figaro (Unicorn Theatre/Tour) West End, Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors (York Theatre Royal), Bagheera (Black Panther) in The Jungle Book (Basingstoke Haymarket Theatre), Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors (Torch Theatre Milford Haven), Shirley Strode in Sammy (Stratford East Theatre Royal), Lillian Lopez in Mickey Spatz (Arcola Theatre), Mother in Sweetpeter and Ruby in Little Angels (Polka Theatre), Queen B in Release The Beat (Arcola Theatre), Ensemble in High Society (Regent’s Park & No. 1 Tour), Liz Imbrie (The Reporter) in High Society, Shaftesbury Theatre, West End, Gwendolyn & Dessrae (Opera Singer) in Journey To The River Sea, Unicorn Theatre West End, Deena in Dreamgirlz Concert, Sweet Inspiration in Elvis Tour, Lead Vocalist in West End Highlights, The Nurse in Romeo & Juliet, The New Players, Deena in Dreamgirlz Concerts in Dubai and West End, Soloist in Opera/Classical Soiree’s in UK and Europe, Medea in Medea, Northern Broadsides, No. 1 Tour, current production Billie Holiday in Nina Kristofferson’s Billie Holiday Story, Nina’s first musical play, Premiered and sold out at Assembly’s Dans Paleis, 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, then she went on to do a successful 2012 Tour.  Nina has now finished a 2013 sell-out run in London’s West End at Charing Cross Theatre and looks forward to her current No. 1 Tour of Nina Kristofferson’s Billie Holiday Story. TV: Susan in Barry Brown, (BBC) Sitcom Pilot, Pebble Mill At One presenting The Children’s Programme (BBC), Paula Symons in Doctors (BBC), and Corporate video, Jane McKenna Cold Calls (Thames TV), Commercials Carlsberg, AVIVA, Access Bank Visa Card, Ibuleve, The London Peace Week.  Film: Melissa in Underexposure, Elizabeth in Aktion Regen Fertility Project, Docu Film (Cinema Humain), Designer in TAF Film, (Connected Pictures) Valerie Ronson, Vampire in Documentary Feature Film, World of Darkness.  Nina has been involved in countless amounts of Photo Shoots and Singing at Corporate events like The Oil Barons Ball in Dubai, Damien Hirst Birthday Party, The Hilton on Park Lane and Man Group plc to name but a few…  Workshops include: Victoria in Basin St Blues (Notional Theatre), Fenda in Music The Musical (Bridewell Theatre), May in Basin St Blues Notional Theatre.  Voice Over: Mary Seacole, Crimean War, National Army Museum and Eve, The Fortune Teller in the new 2018 Game, Du Lac & Fey : Game of Death, Salix Games. New concert featuring songs from Beyoncé to Puccini, Nina Kristofferson ‘Timeless’, NK Productions and Latitude Festival 2019 performing Nina Kristofferson’s Billie Holiday Story.

Dave’s career has encompassed TV and screen, recording and live performance on double bass and bass guitar he is a versatile musician, who happily moves between all genres of music: jazz and classical to contemporary folk, rock and pop.  He has worked with many well known solo artists; Scott Walker, Cliff Richard, Hank Marvin, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Shirley Bassey, Maddie Prior and toured and recorded with BA Robertson, Marshall Hain (hit singles: ‘Coming Home’ and ‘Dancing in the City’) and Dionne Warwick.  He for studio sessions.  He has frequently played double bass for leading bands: the BBC Big Band, The Echoes of Ellington, The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK, The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, The John Dankworth Quintet and with jazz artistes Cleo Laine, Jacqui Dankworth, Tina May and Clare Teal. For many years he has worked with musical director Laurie Holloway, with whom he has worked with Liza Minelli, Elaine Paige, Dame Edna Everage and Gilbert O’Sullivan. He was in the original ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ band and in the big band on the ‘Parkinson’ TV show and so appeared twice on TV on a Saturday night!  Dave has worked with numerous Big Bands, including The Echoes of Ellington, with whom he played for the Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Glenn Miller Orchestra UK, Syd Lawrence and toured with ‘The Rat Pack’.  He has played in many London West End shows, working with top theatre Musical Directors including ‘Anything Goes’, ‘The Pyjama Game’, ‘Personals’, ‘Kiss Me Kate’, ‘Acorn Antiques’, ‘The Rat Pack’, ‘Guys and Dolls’, ‘Just Like That’, based on the comedy of Tommy Cooper, ‘The Producers’, ‘Evita’ and LesMiserables’. He played in the enormously successful ‘Sinatra’ show at the London Palladium.  His TV and film repertoire includes: ‘Lovejoy’, ‘Darling Buds of May’, Silent Witness’, ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ and he was Sooty’s bass player!  He has toured with Anton du Beke and Erin Boag in their dance show for eleven years.   Recently he has played for the premiere of a new work by composer Nick Bicat and is collaborating on a project with composer Denis King and singer Sarah Eyden, which includes a re-recording of the theme to Black Beauty as well as other original compositions.  Dave can also be heard on BBC Radio daily, playing on the signature tune for The Archers and is looking forward to playing for Nina Kristofferson in ‘The Billie Holiday Story’ at Latitude this weekend.

ELLIOTT HENSHAW has been in demand as a drummer for many years and is now working with artists and bands that include; Shirley Bassey, John Lord and Roger Glover (Deep Purple), Paul Anka, Michael Ball, Leo Sayer, Joe Longthorne, Jane McDonald, Tony Christie, Kirk Whalum, Andy Abraham, Keely Smith, Tony Hadley, Limahl, The BBC Big Band, Syd Laurence Orchestra, The Drifters, Gwen Dickie, Gabriella Cilmi, Georgie Fame, Mathew Herbert, Bob Mintzer, Mike Stern, Laurie Holloway and Michael Feinstein. His West End credits include; Lion King, The Rat Pack, The Bodyguard, Jersey Boys, The Producers and Priscilla Queen of The Desert. He runs his own band that has frequently headlined at Ronnie Scotts club in London and released an album – Is That Not What You Wanted.  In 2012 Elliott had the idea to produce a 25^th Anniversary Buddy Rich Memorial concert at the Palladium in London. He was the Creative Director of the event hosted by Buddy’s daughter Cathy Rich and he performed alongside many leading names in the international drumming community.

Geoff Gascoyne has Performed, Produced and Composed an incredible body of work some of which includes Everything But The Girl, the album, Worldwide.  World Tour with the award winning Hip Hop-Jazz-Rap’group, US3.  Playing electric bass in the groups lead by Jim Mullen and Ian Shaw and together with the guitarist Malcolm MacFarlane they founded his first group Wabash, working with Georgie Fame, Van Morrison.   Widely acclaimed album Voices of Spring.   Countless appearances at Ronnie Scott’s Club, numerous recording sessions within the London jazz Community, and a guest tutor at Royal Academy of Music in London.   Plays the acoustic bass for Guy Barker’s International Group, Other albums include James McMillan, Moses Molelekwa, Mike Flowers Pops, Ian Shaw and the Opera singer Sally Burgess with whom he performed for, Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales at Highgrove.  Winter Wonderland a duet album of Christmas melodies with pianist Peter Churchill.  Other recordings included Ed Jones Quintet, Georgie Fame Live at Ronnie Scotts, Ian Shaw (for which he also designed the CD cover) and Guy Barker’s album, What Love Is featuring guest vocalist, Sting and a 26 piece string orchestra.  Touring with Bill Bruford’s, Earthworks, recordings with Lisa Stansfield for a movie soundtrack / album.   He helped to develop a new Rockschool syllabus,  concerts with The Britten Sinfonia, Georgie Fame’s Birthday Big Band and tours with Ed Jones Quartet and Guy Barker’s International Quintet.  Geoff also made an appearance in Anthony Mingella’s Movie, The Talented Mr Ripley which starred Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law. West End show, Lenny, directed by Sir Peter Hall, starring Eddie Izzard.  Some concert highlights were with Dianne Reeves, Ben Sidran, Norma Winstone and Guy Barker with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Smooth Jazz with Dave Koz and Peter White, Trudy Kerr, Georgie Fame, Ian Shaw and Cedar Walton.  There were concerts with Norma Winstone, Ed Jones Quartet,  The Lion King to name but a few.  CD for Jazzizit Records, Autumn and Songs of the Summer, The new Quartet with Geoff, Ben Castle, Gareth Williams and Sebastiaan De Krom played at London’s Ronnie Scott’s. Recording and performing with Trudy Kerr, UK, Jazz Services Tour, Elvin Jones at Ronnie Scott’s.  Geoff is currently working with Claire Martin, Willard White, Georgie Fame and has worked and performed with Jamie Cullum for over 6 years, Candid Records and is considered to be one of the finest Double Bass players around.

Harold Fisher is one of England’s legendary drummers.  He was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, and began studying the drums at the age of eight.  By the time he was 11 years old, Harold beame the youngest member of the Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band as went onto perform with Black Dyke Mills, Tony Evan Band at the age of seventeen in London’s West end.  His dynamic playing and innovative soundmeant he was in constant demand for coutless sessions, television series, records, films regular broadcasts on BBC’s Jazz Club.  Harold has also toured extensivly with Tom Jones, Jon Barry, Johnny Howar, Engelbert Humperdinck and Richard Harris.  Hew as a regular mmeber og the Alyn Ainsworth Orchestra and feaured n many TV shows including many Royal Variety Performances,’Live from Her Majesty’s’ Suprise, Suprise, Blind Date, BAFTA Awards, Royal Galas, The Princes’s Trust, specials with Bruce Forsyth, Shirley Bassey, Sammy Davis Jnr, Elaine Paige, Kiri te Kanawa, Laurie Holloway’s band on BBC’s Parkinson series..  Earlier part of his career Harold performed frequently with Ted Heath’s Band, John Danworth & Cleo Laine. Marion Montgomery, Gerard Kenny, Lulu, Henry Mancini, Jerry Goldsmith’s drummer on his visits to London.  Harold Fisher has recently be appointed with the BBC Big Band with whom he has broadcast regularly and toured Europe since 1998. Heavily featurin with Louis Bellson, Lalo Shiffrin, Monty Alexander, Arturo Sandavaal, Clark Terry, Billy May, Ray Anthony, Les Brown, Danny Gottlieb and more more.  Harold also pefomrs regarly with the Bert Kaempfert, Don Lusher, Geraldo, Syd Lawrence, Cliff Hardie and Jimmie Hastings bands.  For over thirty years Harold Fisher has been at the forefront of the musical scene in Britain and is undoubteldy on of hte most respected musicias in this country.

As a musician James has performed and recorded around the world with a large number of artists, in some incredible venues. Having extensive experience in both Western music and Indian Music/sitar he’s always ready to help you bring a new dimension to your project and take your music to the next level. Some of the venues James has performed at include the Royal Albert Hall, Hammersmith Apollo, o2 London, Abbey Road, Air Studios, Angel Studios, with  TV/Film credits to include : A New Life In Oz – Channel 5, Big Fat Gypsy Wedding USALego Computer Games The Messenger – Film Soundtrack, Monkeys: An Amazing Animal Family – Sky, Hairspray – The Highschool Musical – Sky. Some of James’s Theatre Credits include Memphis The Musical – Shaftesbury Theatre, London, The Bodyguard – The Adelphi Theatre, London, Priscilla Queen of the Desert – The Palace Theatre, London; Matthew Bourne’s Dorian Gray – Sadler’s Wells, UK, and International Tour.  Whilst also being a dep on Hamilton, Beautiful, The Carole King Musical, Kinky Boots, Lion King, School of Rock, Dreamgirls, Groundhog Day, Motown The Musical, Matilda The Musical and many more!

ALBERT GAZA  Was born in San Antonio, Texas. He had the privilege of performing with professional big bands, jazz, & salsa bands while still in his teens. Albert is an extremely gifted saxophonist and composer with a sound and clarity reminiscent of the Texas Tenor Saxophone tradition of Arnett Cobb, Illinois Jacquet & Davis “Fathead” Newman.  Since completing his post-graduate studies at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, Albert has been involved with various ensembles including the London City Big Band, Albert Garza Quartet and performs most nights of the week across the Capital at many of the city’s prestigious vanues, including The Savoy, The Dorchester & various Jazz Festivals across the UK. He recently performed with Wynton Marsalis at the Spice of Life in London & his most recent performance credits are Sweet Charity, New Jersey Nights, The Independent British film Subway V and Nina Kristofferson’s Billie Holiday story in the West End.

MARTIN SHAW Was born into a family of musicians. Both his parents were professional piano players.  Martin began piano at 9 and trumpet at 11. At 15, he gained a place in the National Yoth Orchestra. Martin studied at The Royal Academy of Music for 3 years (L.R.A.M., and G.R.S.M Hons Degree), then spent a postgraduate year at The Guildhall school of Music studying jazz (L.G.S.M.) Teaching posts: Professor of jazz trumpet at Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal College of Music, and West London University. Martin has worked with many different artists across the board including: The Brand New Heavies, Paul Young, Sting, Jamiroquai, Jamie Cullum, Jools Holland, Swing Out Sister and Patti Austin. In the jazz field: Stan Tracey, Kenny Wheeler, Phil Woods, James Morrison, John Dankworth and Cleo Lane, Peter King, Guy Barker, Dave O’Higgins and Nina Kristofferson’s Billie Holiday story in the West End. He has been a member of the BBC Big Band for the last 4 years.

John started out as a jazz player, touring with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, John Dankworth and Roadside Picnic, with whom he recorded many albums and performed all over Europe, including Montreux Jazz Festival and Ronnie Scott’s club.  In the West End he was MD for Beautiful! The Carole King Musical, Les Miserables, Bombay Dreams, Fame, Daddy Cool, The Beautiful Game and guest conductor for Starlight Express, Saturday Night Fever, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King and others, and is currently Associate MD for Hamilton and Tina Turner Musical.  The John G Smith Band has appeared at festivals and London venues, and toured extensively in the UK as support/ backing band for Elaine Paige.

Mike is an award winning accomplished composer, producer and pianist. His wide variety of work ranges from pop, rock, and classical (Tinie Tempah, Natalie Imbruglia, Lesley Garrett, Boney M, Rose Royce, Shalamar, The Real Thing, Sister Sledge) to programming countless West End Shows (Cats, Phantom Of The Opera, The Sound Of Music, Les Miserables, Mary Poppins, Miss Saigon, Michael Jackson’s Thriller Live and The Beatles’ Let It Be).   He has written music for TV, film and advertising including Aardman Animations’ double BAFTA Award winning “Timmy Time” now currently shown in over 180 countries daily.  He has toured the world, appeared on TV and radio, entertained the troops in the Falklands alongside Bradley Walsh and even played for the Queen on her 80^th birthday at Balmoral Castle.

Neil was bassist in the house band for the very successful musical We Will Rock You in the West End of London its entire run for over 12 years and around 3,000 performances.  One of the most highly respected and experienced bass guitarists in rock, Neil has played with bands and musicians such as Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, Gary Moore, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Sting just to mention a few. Neil has played on dozens of albums, sales of which exceed 10 million units, and has toured extensively all over Europe, Asia, Australia and North and South America.  He has performed with Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor at various events such as the Queen’s Jubilee Party At The Palace in 2002 at Buckingham Palace and with the late Luciano Pavarotti at his annual concert in Modena, Italy.  He has also worked with blues, soul and fusion jazz artists such as Memphis Slim, Peter Green, Ginger Baker, Madeline Bell, John Martyn, Allan Holdsworth and others.

Mike Moran is one of the United Kingdom’s best known musicians.   As a Keyboard Player, Arranger, Musical Director and Producer, he has worked with many of the world’s superstars including, Sir Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, George Harrison, Robert Plant, Sir Cliff Richard, Julio Iglesias, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, Dionne Warwick, Ashford and Simpson, Kate Bush, Montserrat Caballe, Ozzy Osbourne, Oliver Nelson, Jack Jones, Wayne Shorter, Ringo Starr, Carly Simon, Dusty Springfield, Gadys Knight, Sir Rod Stewart, George Michael, Extreme, Joe Cocker, Lemar and Queen with the late Freddie Mercury and their major collaboration was the Album Barcelona which Sir Tim Rice co-wrote lyrics on three tracks. Bands include Blue Mink, Stone The Crows (later the Maggie Bell Band) and Gillian.  Other live engagements have been as Piano/Musical Director and Conductor to Leo Sayer, Lulu, Elaine Paige, Russell Watson, Sir Rod Stewart.  As a movie composer, Mike wrote and orchestrated a number of movies for George Harrison’s company Handmade Films including the cult film Time Bandits directed by Terry Gilliam, The Missionaryand Water. Other film credits include Deathwish 3, The Bitch, The Greek Tycoon, Top Secret, Betrayal, Whoops Apocalypse, Sherlock and A Fox Tale.  He has composed original music for over 200, networked T.V. productions including The Simpsons, Harry’s Game, Taggart, Sharman, Sex Chips and Rock n’ Roll, New Tricks El Cid, Beebies.  Documentaries include This England and Never and Always for Denis Mitchell, Colossus for Jacques Cousteau.  In Musical theatre, Mike’s credits include Production Musical Director on the  rock musical Time, Dominion Theatre staring Sir Cliff Richard and Sir Laurence Olivier and also worked with Sir Cliff Richard on Heathcliff.  Mike Produced the London cast album of The King & I for Warner Records and also Piaf which both starred Elaine Paige, August 2009.  He also worked as Musical Director to Denise Van Outen on Blondes at the Edinburgh festival in 2009, then as Music Supervisor on Stratford East, 5 Guys, which won best musical award in 2009 Edinburgh Festival.  Mike was also Musical Director for Sir Rod Stewart’s, One Night With Rod Stewart at the Royal Albert Hall and he has recently completed two World Tours as Musical Director/Conductor and pianist for Russell Watson and Elaine Paige.  Mike’s conducting credits include concerts and recordings with The London Symphony Orchestra, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The BBC Concert Orchestra, The Utah Symphony Orchestra, The Tokyo Philharmonic, The Sydney Symphony Orchestra, The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, The Wellington Symphoniaand The Budapest Philharmonic.

Allan Rogers (Musical Director/ Piano) has enjoyed a long career as a studio musician and Musical Director covering all aspects of the industry, from the theatre to television, advertising to corporate events. He has acted as personal Music Director to many artistes, including, Cilla Black, Marti Caine, Bradley Walsh, Cliff Richard, Wayne Sleep, Joe Longthorne, Petula Clarke, and recently Music Associate for Elaine Paige and Russell Watson. Allan has been MD/Music associate, for over 600 TV shows, including The Shoe Show (Wayne Sleep), Count Me In, What’s That Noise?, Record Breakers, Russell Harty, Live!, Joe Longthorne series, Jim Davidson Shows, Bafta Awards, 4 years of Noel’s House Party, 7 years of the The GenerationGame, Stars In Their Eyes, This is My Moment, and recently, One Night with Rod Stewart.   Allan has acted as MD for many theatrical productions, including Time starring Cliff Richard, which ran for two years at the Dominion Theatre, and also Cliff’s Production of Heathcliff in which Allan was production Musical Associate and Choral Director. He was Music Director for the RSC production of, A Clockwork Orange working closely with Bono And Edge of U2 on their complex score.  Last year Allan was involved as Music Associate and Arranger on the West End productions of Flamenka directed by Craig Revel Horwood at the Lyric Theatre, and Liberace Live From Heaven at the Leicester Square Theatre.  Allan has written, arranged and conducted the music for many corporate events and major international shows, including Sun City Extravaganza in South Africa, last year’s production of Storm at Jupiter’s Casino in Surfers Paradise in Australia, and just last Christmas the production of Subway at Walker Hill Casino in Seoul, Korea. He also Co-Orchestrated and co-produced the concept album of the new show Morgan’s Run is being developed into a musical for the Theatre, premiering ths year in Sydney and was MD/Pianist on Nina Kristofferson’s Billie Holiday story in the West End.  For the past eleven years Allan has been Music Director on Strictly Come Dancing Arena Tour playing to packed houses at such venues as the O2 and Wembley Arena.

PHIL DONNELLY is a professional musician working in London on shows, gigs and sessions.  Phil is the bassist for West End leading lady Rachel Tucker, this includes playing Bass for her live shows and recording her critically acclaimed debut album- The Reason.   Phil recently finished the sell out run and European Premier of The Color Purple at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Phil was also Double Bassist for Nina Kristofferson’s Billie Holiday Story at Charing Cross Theatre where he Job Shared with Bassist Geoff Gascoyne.  West End depping includes Viva Forever, Spice Girls show.   Onstage Band and Pop gigs include Playing with Gabby Young and other Animals (GYAOA) tours on stage band. (Festivals include, Latitude, Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party. Other gigs with GYAOA Bafta Awards: after party, Radio Sessions and EU Tours).  In January 2012 Phil supported Ed Sheeran in his sell out UK tour playing with comedy hip hop band Abandoman.  Phil is the house bassist for London Gay Men’s Chorus, Performances venues inlclude Cadogen Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Grand Opera House- Belfast.   Phli is a proud endorsee of GMR basses.

Paul Robinson has worked at the top of his profession for over 40 years. He is the drummer of choice for many of London’s premier West End shows and is constantly in demand for touring and studio sessions. He moves easily between Jazz, Fusion, Rock, Metal, Country, Pop – you name it, he can nail it. His rhythmic precision and ability to follow complex arrangements made him Trevor Horn’s go to drummer for many years, having played drums on the iconic pop record Video Killed The Radio Star, also The Proclaimers hit I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles). Paul toured and recorded for nearly 20 years with jazz legend Nina Simone.You can find Paul’s extensive list of credits covering albums, film scores, tv shows, chart hits, West End shows and touring here.