California Dreaming

For anyone who’s enjoyed the music of the great American song book of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s then this is very much the show for you.

Fronted by famous jazz performers James Graydon and James Nisbet, “California Dreaming” features the songs that defined an era: ‘Hotel California’, ‘How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You’, ‘50 Ways To Leave Your Lover’, ‘You’ve Got A Friend’, ‘Reelin' in the Years’, ‘Rikki Don't Lose That Number’, ‘Big Yellow Taxi’, in fact classic after classic.

All these songs were made immortal by famous jazz performers, iconic bands and artists of that golden era including Bob Dylan, Steely Dan, The Eagles, Crosby Stills And Nash, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell.


The show has been conceived and is fronted by the dual talents of James Graydon and James Nisbet. Between them they have over 30 years experience in the live music business as writers, session musicians, recording artists and musical directors. They have played with the likes of Rod Stewart, Roxy Music, Belinda Carlisle, Marti Pellow and Squeeze. Between them they have played in every conceivable venue from clubs to stadiums around the world.

This acoustic MTV Unplugged style show has been developed over the last year in some smaller and intimate venues in London and has received fantastic feedback and rebookings. During the show’s two hours the audience are taken on a journey of discovery through this defining era of the late 60’s and 70’s with the help of historical commentary, anecdotes and stories relevant to each song and the artist that originally wrote and performed it. The show is further enhanced by the use of a slide show projecting imagery of California and the relevant band whose song is being performed.

The show creates an atmosphere of euphoric summer joy and makes the audience feel like they are cruising along the Laurel Canyon with the roof down, sun shining and stereo turned up with soundtrack of the time.

The show was born out of James and James love of the music of that era. Since the shows inception they have set themselves the highest musical and performance standards. Backing up the two James' is a rhythm section that represents the cream of the London session world.
The level of musicianship displayed is of a virtuose standard and only to be expected from peroformers of their calibre and pedigree. Great musicians, playing the songs that inspired them.

The market for a show like this is vast. The iconic bands of this period don’t tour much today and even if they do they will generally play one off shows in stadium venues where tickets are priced at the high end and out of the reach of a lot of fans if they are able to get them at all.