Creatives
Andy Philip - Band leader, Composer & Artistic Director
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Since studying music (MMus) at Goldsmiths, Andy’s diverse performance career has ranged from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra to playing for Australian X-Factor and has seen him work alongside Brian May, Ronan Keating and One Direction. He has been heard at Ronnie Scott's, Jazz Cafe, Wembley Arena, Royal Festival Hall, Big Chill Festival, Symphony Hall, Purcell Rooms, Carling Weekend Festival and The Red Lion Steeple Aston.
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Andy plays, composes and arranges for the progressive jazz group Doctor Gradus whose eponymous debut album was released worldwide on the French label Musea Records. He composed the soundtrack to the film Riga: Adazi Polygon premiered at the ICA, London, and the musical score for original new work The Also-Ran, Edinburgh Festival.
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He has arranged for pop bands, flamenco quintet and symphony orchestra, conducting the open-air concert Opera Sustains the World, Battersea Park. He is currently resident guitarist on the Olivier award winning show Wicked (Victoria Apollo) and is an endorsee/demonstrator for Patrick James Eggle Guitars.
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Other credits include:
TV: I’d Do Anything (BBC), Blue Peter (BBC), Weekend Wogan (BBC).
Live and studio: Derek Ryan (including Irish Number One - The Simple Things), Kerry Ellis, Louise Dearman, Sharon D Clarke, Nathan James, Bucks Fizz.
Theatre & Ballet: Still Life at the Penguin Cafe (Birmingham Royal Ballet), High society (Old Vic), Made In Dagenham (Adelphi), Mamma Mia (World Tour).
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Tamar Osborn - Saxophone
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Saxophonist and multi-wind player Tamar graduated from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in 2000.
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A strong classical background complemented by jazz studies has enabled her to perform in many genres and many different contexts in her professional career. A member of the Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra since 2009, she has also performed and recorded with, amongst others, Kelis, Van Morrison, Billy Ocean, tabla maestro Tanmoy Bose in India, the acclaimed production of Fela! at the National Theatre & Sadler’s Wells (London) and Africa Express (an on-going series of collaborative concerts between African and western musicians including artists such as Tony Allen, Baaba Maal, Rokia Traore, and Fatoumata Diawara). She is currently touring with choreographer/dancer Akram Khan’s final solo production ‘Xenos’.
She runs her own creative project Collocutor, for which she is bandleader, composer and performer. Collocutor released their debut album ‘Instead’ in 2014, second album ‘The Search’ in 2017 and EP ‘Black Satin’ in 2018.
Aside from Collocutor and the Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra, she currently performs and records most regularly with Sarathy Korwar, the Hackney Colliery Band, The Fontanelles, Emanative, Jessica Lauren’s Naga Five and The Organic Jam DJ & musician collective.
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Loz Garratt - Bass
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Originally from Northamptonshire, Loz moved to London to attend Trinity College of Music in Greenwich.
Since 2013 he has been a member of Jamie Cullum’s band which has seen him travel the world playing at Madison Square Garden, the Royal Albert Hall and Ronnie Scott’s. In addition to his work with Jamie, Loz recorded and played with singer Liane Carroll on her 2017 album ‘The Right to Love’.
He is also a deputy on the West End shows Hamilton, Dreamgirls and Wicked. Also a keen educator, Loz has worked for the International Jazz Summer School and the National Youth Jazz Collective.
Olly Blackman - Drums
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Olly Blackman is a drummer/composer/arranger from London. He graduated from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in 2004 and has been working as a freelance musician, MD and educator since.
His credits include performing in theatre shows such as Punchdrunk’s Masque of the Red Death and co-MD for the Roundhouse Trust’s Puffball circus show and tour in 2014. He also performs, arranges and writes for Hackney Colliery Band, a nine-piece brass and percussion band who have released 4 critically acclaimed albums.
He has toured extensively with HCB throughout the UK and Europe, including a sold-out show at London’s Koko, the Avalon stage at Glastonbury Festival 2017 and the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games.
When not performing, Olly directs the Wandsworth Jazz Orchestra, a big band featuring the talents of young jazz musicians attending the Wandsworth Music Academy.
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https://www.hackneycollieryband.co.uk
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Elliot Henshaw - Drums
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Elliott first played the drums at the age of 13 and within a week he was playing for his school big band and jazz band. He was self-taught until the age of 18 when he studied at Salford University with Manchester session drummer Steve Gilbert. Whilst at Salford University Elliott twice won the BBC Radio 2 Big Band Drummer of the year award.
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Live and recording work includes: Andy Prior, Buddy Rich Big Band, Wayne Sleep and Melanie Stace, Shirley Bassey, John Lord and Roger Glover (Deep Purple), 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.
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His West End credits include; Lion King, The Rat Pack, The Bodyguard, Jersey Boys, The Producers and Priscilla Queen of The Desert.
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He runs his own band that has regularly headlined at Ronnie Scotts club in London while his debut album ...is That Not What You Wanted? is available here. Elliott delivers one to one tuition on the drums, lectures at Tech Music School in London and he is often asked to give drumming and rhythm section master classes at education establishments throughout the UK.
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Josephine Davies - Saxophone
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Josephine is a solo artist at the forefront of the UK contemporary music scene, pushing the boundaries of jazz with her current main artistic project Satori – a sax/bass/drums trio with an emphasis on extended and collaborative improvisation. It is a project that combines her seeking of freedom of expression with her interest in Japanese philosophy and lifestyle.
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Originally from the Shetland Islands and now based in London, UK, Josephine’s writing and playing continues to be infused with a Nordic quality, notably in her use of traditional folk music elements, and her haunting tone reminiscent of the late great tenorist Bobby Wellins.
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As a saxophonist she is known for her melodic focus, versatility and unique style which has been described as “consistently inventive” (Jazzwise Magazine), “strong and authoritative” (The JazzMann) and “gifted and imaginative” (All About Jazz).
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Deeply influenced by the American composer Maria Shneider, Josephine has been resident composer and tenor player for the London Jazz Orchestra since 2011 and is now embarking on a large ensemble project of her own.
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Sabrina Carter - Narrator
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Stage: Elise, The Miser (Garrick); Ensemble, The Truth, (Wyndhams); Company U/S Michelle, The Painkiller, Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company, (Garrick); Christine Patterson, One Man, Two Guv'nors (National Theatre); Annabella/Pamela/Margaret, The 39 Steps (Criterion); Liza 2, Liza, Liza, Liza (UK No. 1 Tour); U/S Eliza Doolittle / London Road, National Theatre 50th Birthday (National Theatre); Clarinda, Clarinda (Netherbow Theatre);
Spirit of the Beans, Jack & The Beanstalk, QDOS, (Armadillo); Tigerlily / Mrs Darling, Peter Pan, (Eden Court); Princess So-Shy, Aladdin, Macrobert Prod. (Macrobert Stirling); Lucy Harris, Jekyll & Hyde, Bill Kenwright Ltd (UK No. 1 Tour); Hedy La Rue, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (City of London Festival); 1st U/S Elphaba, Wicked (Apollo Victoria); 1st U/S Nancy, Oliver! (Drury Lane); Kate / Lilli Vanessi, Kiss Me Kate, (Upstairs At The Gatehouse); Audrey, Little Shop of Horrors (New Webster); Charity, Guilt, Perfect Pitch, Andrew Panton/Dougal Irvine; Meg, Marrying Meg - Highland Quest for a New Musical, In Association with Cameron Mackintosh.
Film & TV: Vivienne, Jonathon Pie's American Pie (BBC); Marianne, The Evidence Chamber (Faneshaw Productions); Life, The Decision (Fabian Jaimes); Choir, Urban Hymn (Eclipse Films, Michael Caton-Jones); Cathy, Death of the Miser (Met Film).
Assistant Director: There's a Man down the Chip Shop Claims He's Elvis!; Legally Blonde for Ovation.
Vocalist: Concerts up and down the UK and Internationally playing at venues such as The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
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Michael Coates - Saxophone
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Born in Hamilton Ontario Canada, Michael took up the saxophone at the age of 11. His first foray into the jazz world was at the age of 15 when he joined the high school big band. By the age of 16, Michael joined the Hamilton All Star Jazz Band, a big band comprised of the top musicians from all of the secondary schools in the city. This band went on to become the Canadian national champions in Canada’s national competition “Musicfest”. Michael went on to study jazz at Mohawk College under the direction of Toronto saxophonist Don Englert, and composer and arranger Dave McMurdo (of Boss Brass fame). After graduating with top honours Michael stepped straight out of college and on to a cruise ship for his first 6 month tour. This European based cruise liner opened Michael’s eyes to different opportunities, which culminated in his move to London, England in May 1992.
Since those humble beginnings, Michael has appeared in dozens of venues on the London music scene including The Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Barbican Centre, Ronnie Scott’s club, Dean St. Pizza Express, Jazz Café, The Vortex and 606 club to name a few.
He has toured and recorded with international composer and arranger Michel Legrand and vocal legend Alison Moyet. In May 2015, Michael led the saxophone section of a world class big band featuring the renowned drummer Steve Gadd. He has also appeared with American artists Curtis Stigers, Buddy Greco, Howard Keel, Johnny Mathis and Michael Feinstein. During his career in England, Michael has collected BBC’s Jazz Soloist of the Year award, and has recorded as a featured soloist with the BBC Radio Big Band. In that same year Michael released his debut CD “This Is” featuring his original compositions.
In addition to his jazz credentials, Michael has appeared in several musicals, live television broadcasts, and session recordings. He has toured France, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Spain and Sweden, appearing in a variety of venues and international festivals.
Picture by Richard Williams www.rich-images.net
Cameron Blakely - Narrator
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Theatre: Gomez The Addams Family (UK Tour), Narrator/Mysterious Man Into The Woods (Royal Exchange Theatre), Fagin Oliver! (Watermill Theatre), Gatch/Twimble How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Concert), Lazar Wolf Fiddler On The Roof (Grange Park Opera) Mr Lucas/Mr Scruton The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole (Leicester Curve) Thenardier Les Miserables (Queens Theatre) Bamatabois Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert (O2 Arena) Sam Mamma Mia! (international tour) Stacey Smash (Menier Chocolate Factory) Lester Home and Beauty (Lyric) Howard Over the Moon (Old Vic) Louis Personals (Apollo) Charley Where’s Charley?, Badger The Wind in the Willows, Puck A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Rosencrantz Hamlet, Peter Romeo and Juliet, Nathaniel The Taming of the Shrew (Regent’s Park Open Air) Carmelo The Promise (Orange Tree) Listen to the Wind (King’s Head) Ian An Evening with Gary Lineker (Riverside Studios) Chittelow Half a Sixpence (West Yorkshire Playhouse) Ronald Gamble Thark (Watermill) Roderigo Othello (Theatr Clwyd)
Film: Graves’ Photographer King Ralph, Hunt Saboteur Splitting Heirs, Big Rocker Julie and the Cadillacs
TV: Lord Chamberlain Galavant (ABC)
Recordings: Galot Bernice Summerfield : Everybody Loves Irving, Colonel Jago and Litefoot : Encore of the Scorchies
Twitter: @stupidalfred1
Ed Mcfarlane
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In recent years Ed has played double bass and bass guitar for the UK and Ireland theatre tours of Beautiful, The Carole King Musical, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Funny Girl, I Dreamed A Dream, Waterbabies and Sunshine On Leith. Ed has also toured the UK (twice) and coast to coast US with Susan Boyle as well as various other musical engagements and recordings.
Ed is also a qualified teacher and from 1993-2013 lectured in music at North Glasgow College (now Glasgow Kelvin College). From 2005-2008 he also taught part time on the BA (Applied Music) course at the University of Strathclyde, as well as maintaining a busy playing schedule. Ed was quite heavily involved in the last major SQA rewrite of college music courses and, during his lecturing career ha been tasked with liaising with HM Inspectors with regard to the music provision at FE level.
Credits include performing with: Hue and Cry, Edwin Starr, Sheila Ferguson, John Fratelli, Carrie Hope-Fletcher, Sheridan Smith, Anthony Rapp and Love and Money, and performed in the house band for two Elaine C Smith television series and her one woman tours ‘Elaine With Attitude’ and its follow up tour, to name just a few. Ed has also played in many RSNO proms concerts, and appeared on more than sixty albums.
Caroline Philip - Librettist & Producer
Originally hailing from Kota Kinabalu, Borneo, Caroline is a researcher, writer and creative with 15 years professional experience within the arts industry including performance, orchestral management and producing.
After training at The Arts Educational School, Tring, Caroline enjoyed a diverse performance career ranging from Hollywood (Alexander directed by Oliver Stone, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire directed Mike Newell) to the West End stage (Wicked and The Lion King) via the bard (A Midsummer Night's Dream Regent's Park), contemporary dance at Sadler's Wells (Mahabarata) and The Greenwich Park Opera (Madame Butterfly and Tosca).
A graduate in English Literature from The Open University, Caroline's debut dramatisation (written under C. R. Giles) The Also-Ran (directed by Jason Lawson) successfully premiered at the Edinburgh Festival in 2015; Caroline was writer-in-residence for GAFA's Opera Sustains the World festival held in Battersea in 2016. A co-founder of jazz-A-nory, Caroline continues to work on solo writing projects as well holding the role of Policy Researcher for financial consultancy firm Clearpoint Advisors.
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Paulina Kozłowska - Illustrator
Paulina is a Fine Arts student from Poland who is pursuing her dream to become a children’s book illustrator. Having successfully shown her works in several exhibitions in Poland, she is now freelancing for clients across the world whilst she finishes her studies. Paulina continues to develop her own distinctive drawing style and hopes to inspire children with her colourful and humorous illustrations.
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For her other works, please see Instagram: @purpleume
Leia & Luke - Melody Makers
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Now aged eight, Leia and Luke have inspired and created many of the melodic motifs used within the jazz-A-nory collection.
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Leia loves eating char sui pau, swimming and Star Wars.
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Luke loves inventing, Lego and Star Wars