An Evening with Peter Grant and the Ronnie Scott's Allstars
There are not many 20-year-old northern lads who spent their adolescence daydreaming of singing like Sinatra on their local clubs circuit. But then again, there are not many 18-year-old northern lads who combine a voice worthy of Tony Bennett and looks that wouldn’t seem out of place in a Paul Smith ad. In short, there are not many lads like Peter Grant, in the north or anywhere else. his debut album, is literally astounding. Peter has used that voice to give an ultra cool lounge makeover to songs like Barry White’s “My First, My Last, My Everything” and the Scott Walker’s “Joanna” with under-appreciated classics like “On Days Like These” from The Italian Job and “The Fool on the Hill” slipped in between. “I love these songs,” says Peter, who also loves listening to singer songwriters to soul through to hip-hop and free jazz. “No one ever told me to listen to this kind of music, it’s just what I listened to. I also write my own songs. I don’t want to be a pop star, I want to be a singer of great songs.”
Ronnie Scott's allstars are comprised of some of the greatest talents on the U.K scene, including the likes of:
James Pearson (piano), Sam Burgess (bass), Chris Dagley (drums), Steve Rushton (drums), Alex Garnett (sax), Alistair White (trombone), Gary Baldwin (hammond), Al Cherry (guitar), Matt Home (drums), Alan Barnes (sax), Natalie Williams (vocals), Ralph Salmins (drums), Arnie Somogyi (bass), Mark Smith (bass), James Nisbet (guitar), Pete Long (sax), Gerard Presencer (Trumpet), Dave O’Higgins, Nina Ferro, Alec Dankworth, Steve Fishwick and other special guests.
James Pearson:
The owner of a ferocious piano technique coupled with a sense of musicality rarely heard, James is one of the most exciting to musicians to have emerged from the U.K in the last 25 years. After working with him, British jazz legend Sir John Dankworth recently declared: "James Pearson is an exceptionally gifted artist. His masterful playing makes him head and shoulders above the rest of his contemporaries. He shows signs of true greatness" The Trio also includes: SAM BURGESS – Double Bass Despite only being in his early 30’s, already Sam is a stalwart of the UK jazz scene. As well as appearing on numerous film soundtracks such as 'Bridget Jones's Diary' and 'Hannibal'. Sam’s thumping, pounding, relentlessly driving bass lines have been heard accompanying the likes of Bob James, Billy Kilson, Gary Novak, Joe Lock, Dave Kekowski, Guy Barker, Dave O'Higgins, Pete King, Gareth Williams, Claire Martin, Jim Mullen, Alan Barnes, Tim Whitehead, John Horler, Gwyneth Herbert, John Dankworth, The BBC Big Band and Robbie Williams. SIMON LEA - Drums Another young lion of the vibrant UK jazz scene, Simon is widely regarded as one of the most exciting drummers to have come out of the U.K in years. Simon works regularly with the bands of Dave O’Higgins, Gwyneth Herbert, Guy Barker and has been playing with James Pearson’s acclaimed piano trio for the last year or so.
Also performing in the Review (after the main act) this evening will be Boogie Boy
Paul Ambach was born in a musical environment.
As his father was an excellent tenor opera singer, Paul started classical piano lessons from an early age. But when he was 15, he got thunderstruck by the music of Ray Charles. That's when Paul started playing the "Blue Notes" of Rhythm & Blues.
As a language student in college he started promoting show bringing legendary artists like Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Albert King etc. And just like that he became a concert promoter.
As a performer Boogie Boy has played many major festivals around the globe: North Sea Jazz, Montreux Jazz, Orléans, Bratislava, Juan-Les-Pins, Angoulême, Jazzablanca etc. Along with this he performed on stage with B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, The Kinks, Lionel Hampton, James Brown, Alvin Lee, ...
In Singapore he was a guest at the famous Saxophone club where he recorded his first live album with special guests such as trumpet player Leroy Jones ( Harry Connick Jr.)
In December 2006, Boogie Boy performed in Paris at Salle Gaveau with this Tribute to Ray Charles. A live dvd has been recorded and the show was a huge succes: a 20 minute long standing ovation!
Boogie Boy is a blues animal, a stage beast. His spontaneity, charisma and energy allow universal communication through music for every possible audience anywhere in the world.
Boogie Boy stands for music, music with soul and passion.
www.boogieboy.be