For The Love Of Ella - April 28th - The Exchange
Featuring Vimala Rowe and Janette Mason
Darren Beckett – Drums Andrew Cleyndhert - Bass
THE EXCHANGE APRIL 28
Trace the golden thread that weaves through Ella’s life, from her youthful heights to her mature majesty. Love, pain and joy, she has connected the world through song.
We hope to offer you an insight into this legendary songstress and how she influenced the emerging world of jazz through her collaborations with Chick Webb, Duke Ellington and Count Basie to her immense catalogue of Grammy awarded recordings peaking with the iconic Ella Songbook series of the 1950s which has become the soundtrack to an era.
We will honour the unique honesty that she brought to her recordings and live shows, whilst delivering a swinging time for all. We guarantee you will leave having had a transformative night, a night from the heart.
Featuring Tom Mason and Eric Ford
REWIRED
May 13th - Café Posk
Rewired is the new acoustic trio project from acclaimed composer, arranger and pianist, Janette Mason.Reflecting on her career collaborations with the likes of Oasis, Robert Wyatt and k.d.lang and her personal history Janette has put an exciting set of music together spanning the decades from the 1940s to present day. It showcases her unique jazz arranging skills with her trademark twists and turns.
“A band leader of pugnacious flair and genuine unpredictability.” James Griffiths-The Guardian
Joined by two world class musicians Tom Mason – bass and Eric Ford - drums, expect a night of outstanding jazz and a creative re-wiring of some classic songs from Ella to The Beatles and Kate Bush to Bowie.
Janette Mason – Piano
Janette is a London based pianist, composer, arranger and producer who has been a mainstay of the British jazz scene for many years. She was exposed to jazz from a very early age and it was whilst watching the Oscar Peterson show that her career path was set in stone as she announced, “That’s what I want to do.”
Janette has a formidable track record, she toured extensively throughout the 90s artists such as Seal, Jimmy Sommerville and many more and has proven to be a consummate musician and a standout talent in Jazz, Pop and World Music.
Janette is currently Artist In residence at The Exchange Theatre -Twickenham.
Tom Mason - Bass
Tom gained a jazz degree while at the Royal Academy of Music, and at New England Conservatory in Boston. Since then he has earned a reputation as one of the most versatile double bassists and bass guitarists on the UK music scene.
His résumé of recordings, performances and tours boasts artists such as Lizz Wright, Mark Ronson and Jamie Cullum. Tom has also been long-term member of award winning pianist Robert Mitchell's Panacea
Eric Ford - Drums
Eric has been resident in London since late 2006, after 4 years in Paris. He has played across the globe and on around 60 albums. He's performed at iconic venues such as Ronnie Scott's and the Royal Albert Hall, and with musicians as diverse as Ronnie Laws, Marc Almond, Clare Teal, the London Jazz Orchestra and Jason Rebello.He's also presented drum clinics in London and Beijing and has been a member of acclaimed contemporary jazz trio Partikel since 2009.
JUNE 17 - THE EXCHANGE TWICKENHAM
A celebration of the life and music of Karen Carpenter, vocalist and drummer of iconic 70s pop band the Carpenters. The event is led by world class pianist and arranger Janette Mason featuring award-winning biographer Lucy O’Brien and singer songwriter Jo Harrop.
Lucy’s new book Lead Sister traces Karen’s poignant story with fresh insight and in-depth interviews.
An evening of classic songs beautifully re-arranged, and an informative book reading/Q&A giving fans the opportunity to ask questions about Karen’s life and music.
Lucy O’Brien - Words
Lucy is a writer/academic and broadcaster. She is author of Dusty: The Classic Biography, She Bop: The Definitive History of Women in Popular Music and Madonna: Like An Icon. She played in all-girl band The Catholic Girls and is currently working on a memoir about punk and feminism.
Janette Mason – Musical Director
Janette has garnered a reputation for her stunning arrangements and has produced a hugely successful series of shows including, Wall To Wall George Michael and Aretha Queen Of Soul.
She has a long list of credits including performing with Oasis and Pulp to writing music for film and television. She is currently keyboard player for Tony Visconti’s Best of Bowie project alongside being Artist In Residence at The Exchange Theatre Twickenham.
Jo Harrop - Vocals
Born in Durham and raised on a heady musical diet of Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin, Jo Harrop cut her teeth as a session singer, working with a host of iconic artists including Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart, Gloria Gaynor and Enrique Iglesias. Her current release The Hear Wants is receiving huge praise from Jo Whiley BBC2.
“an extraordinary talent – delicious”
Simon Little - Bass
Simon is a session bassist from London. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Simon joined The Divine Comedy whilst still at college and is still a regular member of the band. He has also performed with Clare Teal’s band since 2004, as well as touring and recording with The Duckworth Lewis Method, Maggie Reilly and Duke Special amongst many others.
