Month: January 2016

12th March: Melinda Ortner & Sarah Munro

Posted by Richard on January 22, 2016

12th March Melinda Ortner & making her début here will be 19 year old Sarah Munro
Melinda was born and raised in California, and the past five years she’s been based in LA where she’s launched her music career. She played at The Drawingroom in 2015 and blew the audience away with her robust singer songwriting, music crafted in such a professional way its no wonder she has a string of films using her music as well as writing for major players such as Ellie Goulding to name-drop just one.

Sarah Munro came to me via a friend I met over 30 years ago and is serendipitously the best friend of his daughter. Her music is almost retro blues, with a distinct 40’s and 50’s feel to it. It’s un-nerving when so much talent is displayed at such a young age. Prepare to be over-whelmed….and from a very recent review…”Jazz/pop singer-songwriter Sarah Munro captivated the audience with her performance. It was apparent that Munro’s influences were beyond her years drawing on jazz sounds and her vocals were reminiscent of ladies of Jazz such as Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. I would look out for Sarah’s music as she is definitely one to watch out for in the future.” (Rookie Review) …and Sarah is currently on tour supporting none other than the legend that is Paul Carrack taking one night off to perform here…how cool.

5th March Will Mcnicol & Chris Woods-Grove &supported by Richie Carr(14)

Posted by Richard on January 22, 2016

The headline is an exciting collaboration. Two of the finest guitarists, certainly of their generation and perhaps in Europe…Will, already crowned Acoustic Guitarist of Great Britain and chosen to perform alongside Antonio Forcione in 2015 and with many more shows together to follow in 2016. The Mcnicol Woods collaboration created is what you will see performed: ‘A brilliantly brooding neo-minimalist masterpiece, written and recorded in 48 hours. This new ground breaking album #48HourAtlas ‘ Chris is a guitarist, composer, performer, producer, and an educator. Touring across the globe appearing at festivals including Glastonbury Festival (UK) across to the likes of the Mikulášsky Jazz festival in Slovakia, with performances in art houses, theatres and even prestigious shows such as the NAMM show in LA. His mind bending guitar approach is exceptional, his multi faceted creative mind has spilled out into an array of different concepts including ‘The Chris Woods Groove Orchestra’…..their first performance of this album here at The Drawingroom.

Richie Carr is making his début here and the exciting link here is that Will has been a hero of Richie’s for many a year, and as complex and challenging as Will’s music is, Richie will be performing some of Will’s music …infront of Will. No pressure here then! Watch it LIVE HERE

20th Feb: Kal Lavelle-Stepanie O & Ben Corby

Posted by Richard on January 22, 2016

Kal Lavelle Stephanie O’Brian …and Ben Corby (11)
Kal Lavelle, a returning artist, is an Irish born singer songwriter, now living in London. The Sunday Mirror listed her as a ‘One to Watch’ and Ed Sheeran brought her on tour in both the UK & Ireland. Kal’s EP ‘Shivers’ went Top 5 in the UK iTunes ‘Singer Songwriter’ Chart, and the single was named iTunes ‘Single Of The Week’ in the UK (downloaded more than 60,000 times!)…additionally, she entered the Top 10 singer songwriter charts in Japan, Netherlands and Belgium.
Stephanie O’Brian (AKA Stephanie O) is making her début here..she is mesmerising, mysterious and carrying a bold femininity in her style and sound; she’s a singer-songwriter and musician from London. She came to the music scene in her teens as founding member of Universal signed pop-harmony band The Puppini Sisters; before leaving several years later with a drive to strike out on her own. She’s worked alongside artists such as Michael Bublé Carole King Cindy Lauper and toured all over the world; her eclectic influences and experiences percolate her music….I can’t wait. Watch it LIVE HERE

Gig 5th March Will Mcnicol – Chris Woods & Richie Carr

Posted by Richard on January 16, 2016

5th March Will Mcnicol & Chris Woods-Grove ..and opening making his début here, playing some music scored by Will is 13 year old Richie Carr.
The headline is an exciting collaboration. Two of the finest guitarists, certainly of their generation and perhaps in Europe…Will, already crowned Acoustic Guitarist of Great Britain and chosen to perform alongside Antonio Forcione in 2015 and with many more shows together to follow in 2016. The Mcnicol Woods collaboration created is what you will see performed: ‘A brilliantly brooding neo-minimalist masterpiece, written and recorded in 48 hours. This new ground breaking album #48HourAtlas ‘ Chris is a guitarist, composer, performer, producer, and an educator. Touring across the globe appearing at festivals including Glastonbury Festival (UK) across to the likes of the Mikulášsky Jazz festival in Slovakia, with performances in art houses, theatres and even prestigious shows such as the NAMM show in LA. His mind bending guitar approach is exceptional, his multi faceted creative mind has spilled out into an array of different concepts including ‘The Chris Woods Groove Orchestra’…..their first performance of this album here at The Drawingroom.

Gig-20thFeb: Kal Lavelle, Stephanie O and B en C orby

Posted by Richard on January 16, 2016

Kal Lavelle Stephanie O’Brian …and B en C orby (11)
Kal Lavelle, a returning artist, is an Irish born singer songwriter, now living in London. The Sunday Mirror listed her as a ‘One to Watch’ and Ed Sheeran brought her on tour in both the UK & Ireland. Kal’s EP ‘Shivers’ went Top 5 in the UK iTunes ‘Singer Songwriter’ Chart, and the single was named iTunes ‘Single Of The Week’ in the UK (downloaded more than 60,000 times!)…additionally, she entered the Top 10 singer songwriter charts in Japan, Netherlands and Belgium.
Stephanie O’Brian is making her début here is mesmerising, mysterious and carrying a bold femininity in her style and sound; She’s is a singer-songwriter and musician from London. She came to the music scene in her teens as founding member of Universal signed pop-harmony band The Puppini Sisters; before leaving several years later with a drive to strike out on her own. She’s worked alongside artists such as Michael Buble, Carole King, Cindy Lauper and toured all over the world; her eclectic influences and experiences percolate her music….I can’t wait. Ben has opened here on a number of occasions and aged just ten, opened boutique Music Festival Buryfields. Ben writes and plays his own material together with some ‘tribute’ songs which he really does make his own. He gets better with each live show and he’ll be sure to inspire you to pick up an instrument, whatever your age.

Gig-6th Feb The Portraits & James Kirby 2016

Posted by Richard on January 13, 2016

Sat 06/02/16 Polly Barratt was to have performed but has sadly had a family bereavement and cancelled her UK tour. I’m delighted to announce The Portraits Jeremy and Lorraine will now fill Polly’s shows… Violin, Piano and guitars. James Kirby A night of two headline acts…lucky people…
The Portraits, Glastonbury veterans and one of the hardest working musicians, parents, fundraiser, running their own business and performing gigs across the UK France and Ireland. Somehow their English Irish French roots works its self into their sound, popular folk, tunes, melodies, dreams, aspirations and stories of people and this world…special people.

James… has been performing his music worldwide for over 15 years…his beautiful and melodic songs hold audiences regardless of size, age and musical preference. Opening stages for artists such as Eddie Reader, Toploader, Matt Cardle & Hoosiers to name a few. He has a following from around the World and some who have seen in Spain and further afield will be here to support him..he is simply a fantastic singer songwriter! No wonder he’s in such high demand in the UK & Europe! Watch it LIVE HERE

Gig 13th Feb Sean Taylor and Amrit Sond 2016

Posted by Richard on January 4, 2016

13th Sean Taylor George Corby (14) who like Grammy award winning artist Amrit Sond and Sean has performed here before.Grammy Award Winner Amrit Sond has graced the same billing as some of the world’s most renowned Guitarists on the scene today: Dominic Miller (Sting), Hugh Burns (George Michael), Ronnie Johnson (Van Morrison, Leo Sawyer).

Of Indian origin but born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Amrit was exposed to both Indian music and African folk music at a very early age. As a young teenager, he moved with his family to Kuwait, where he developed an interest in Arabic and Eastern music. This, coupled with the earlier Indian and African influences, has helped to shape his unique compositions. Only last week Amrit was the GSMC’s 1st Choice as Instrumental Artist of 2016. He takes guitar playing into an artform of its own…breath-taking.

Headlining will be Sean Taylor. ”An absolutely superb guitarist … reminiscent of John Martyn” Bob Harris, Radio 2 ”Articulate, compelling … brilliant” (Four stars) Mojo Magazine ”A bluesy devotional intensity that rightly draws comparisons to John Martyn” Q Magazine ‘A fine blues guitarist … Taylor is a man to watch’ Guardian ”the lyrics are absolulety amazing” BBC Introducing “My main listen today – Springsteen and Taylor are cheering my day…brilliant, stunning songs. Great album.’ Mike Harding “Formidable and skilled…recalls Chris Isaak.’ (Four Stars) Uncut ‘Sean Taylor’s work just gets classier … his talent might yet puncture the mainstream’ Classic Rock 8/10 ”A star in the making …a superb talent” Metro “Sean Taylor is a wonderfully talented modern troubadour whose sincere, thoughtful songs pull you in. I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him. He swings. Check him out!” Eric Bibb “Sean Taylor is the king of the singer-songwriter styling … A classic album” Maverick Magazine ”bold and brilliant masterpiece” Folk Radio UK ”Remarkable” Danny Thompson….nuff said!