Tuesday 19th October, 2021
Andrea Vicari’s Jazz Ambassadors
Paola Vera – voice. Andrea Vicari – piano. Emma Rawicz -sax. Sophie Alloway – drums. Amy Baldwin – bass
| Andrea Vicari leads this combo and this latest project is one of many groups she is involved in. Andrea was a feature artist at Ronnie Scott’s International Piano festival and is performing with South African Trumpet Star Claude Deppa whilst continuing to work with YazzAhmed, JazzExtempore and many others. Recent appearances include Swanage Jazz Festival; Malborough Jazz Festival; Greenwich Festival; Teignmouth Jazz Festival; The International Refugee day festival and in China at the prestigious 3rd Maritime Silk Road Art Festival , where she was the only UK artist to feature. The BBC recently broadcast the recording of Andrea for a live album with Claude Deppa at the Ipswich Jazz Festival. “..stimulating original compositions.. Vicari …. delivered a dazzling solo that was variously reminiscent of both Joe Zawinul and Django Bates. The Jazz Mann Paola Vera | Voice singer/songwriter/pianist who has been described as a ‘Jazz chick with hits’ (Richard Niles) and a ‘truly gifted improviser’ (Pete Churchill). Paola’s music blends her passion for jazz with a modern edge; a fresh take on groove, which she infuses into her own song writing and a new slant on old songs. She sites many influences including Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott, James Taylor, Nat King Cole. Paola first started singing and playing the piano at the age of 13, later going on to continue her musical education at Trinity College of Music and The Royal Academy of Music after receiving the Elton John Scholarship in London. . She has since gone on to receive several awards as a singer and accompanist, including winning 2nd place in the Jazz Voices International competition in Lithuania . She has performed with many greats of the jazz scene, Kenny Wheeler, Jim Mullen, Bobby Mcferrin and many more. “sings with dark and subtle tones” Jazzwise Magazine Emma Rawicz | saxes saxophonist, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and composer with a passion for jazz in all its forms. She has been writing her own original music since the age of eight, and in more recent years has performed her original compositions in a number of situations, including playing at the 2019 EFG London Jazz Festival and headlining Ronnie Scott’s club in one of it’s first post-lockdown gigs where she previewed her soon-to-be-released debut album. Emma was a semi-finalist in the 2020 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year Award competition and is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Amy Baldwin | Double bass has played with some great women musicians including Lianne Carroll, Anita Wardell, Tina May, Imogen Heap and Chrissy Lee. She’s graced the stage of fabulous venues including Ronnie Scotts, Vortex, Cadogan Hall, Buckingham Palace and the Royal Albert Hall. Amy also played bass for Heels of Glory: The Drag Action Musical, co-written by All Girl Swing Band leader Tricity Vogue. Over the last year she’s played for the Ruben Kaye Show at Soho Theatre, Marcel Lucont’s Cabaret Fantastique, and Jonny Woo’s Un-Royal Variety Show. She’s looking forward to an upcoming tour with her trio ‘Kaiyo 3’ featuring Jon Scott and Simon Purcell. Sophie Alloway | Drums is one of the most in demand drummers in the UK. She has toured the UK, Australia and New Zealand with Roots Manuva. As well as performing on Later With Jools Holland, Mercury Music Prize, BBC Introducing, and playing festivals such as Glastonbury and Bestival. She has also toured with the Michael Jackson musical ‘Thriller’. Recording sessions for Roots Manuva, Hazel O’Connor, Paula Rae Gibson, Wagga Man/Theo Gordon (producer), John Hogg, Lei-An, as well as numerous gigs/recordings as a jazz drummer including with Stan Sulzman and Mornington Lockett. |