Paul Smith

Paul is undoubtedly one of the most in demand drummers in the North and is most definitely master of the groove! Working with just about everybody including Sting, Tony Christie, Jimmy Witherspoon, Echo and the Bunnymen, Art Farmer, Jimmy Nail, Martin Stephenson, Harry Sweets Eddison, Teddy Edwards and Alan Clark (Dire Straits) to name but a few. As a result of Paul’s extensive contacts within the music industry he is able to assemble just about any type of band for any event!

We have chosen to feature three of Paul’s current projects:

Paul Smith’s JAZZGROUP

Smooth saxophone lead quartet playing lush jazz standards. This band can be instrumental or vocal lead depending on your requirements. The band can also add additional members to include guitar, strings, percussion and backing vocals if required.

Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea

Gerry Richardson has had a full and eventful career both as an accomplished musician and composer. He has a wealth of experience in all styles of music involving him with some of the biggest names in jazz & rock. In the 70s he and Sting formed the seminal North East Jazz Rock band ‘Last Exit’. Gigs have included work with The Police and Eberhard Schoener, Billy Ocean, Guy Barker, John Miles, Alan Price, Ian Shaw and Carol Grimes. Gerry played organ on Sting’s 1996 million selling album ‘Mercury Falling’.
This dynamic band explores the jazz organ genre to the full. Soul, gospel, funk, and samba are all part of the mix. Tunes by Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Rufus Thomas, Gil Scott-Heron and a number of accessible original tunes, all form part of a diverse and imaginative repertoire. Gigs this year include The Yardbird Suite - Leeds, Teeside Festival, Hartlepool Festival, a season at Newcastle Arts Centre, Birmingham international jazz festival, Ronnie Scott's Club Birmingham and supporting Georgie Fame at the Purple Onion Stockton. Gerry and Paul played in the house band for new Tyne Tees TV "Docter Rock Show'. This band is available as either a trio or 9 piece.

Sting on Gerry

“Gerry was in the year ahead of me in teacher's training college, but gigging was all we wanted to do. It was Gerry who was the pioneer, the pathfinder into that fabled realm of jazz clubs, working men's clubs, pubs and cabaret. To be a professional musician, a journeyman able to sight-read sufficiently to hold down a job, to play whatever style was required; this was the ultimate goal, and Gerry, with his prodigious skills, could do all of it. I was in awe of him.
He and I worked together in bands for many years, I played bass and sang, he would often say (only half joking) that if only he could sing he would fire me, and it's clear from this album that I have much to be grateful for, not least that during our time together he limited his 'vocalising' to the Vox Humana stop on his beloved Hammond. On that instrument he was always passionate, innovative, surprisingly angular and, even on those early days, his playing was stamped with a clear authority.”

Nelli Rees

Think Portishead meets Charlie Parker or Miles Davis remixed by Massive Attack and you're close to understanding new Russian born singer Nelli Rees. Her unique fusion of dance with ultra cool jazz and a pop sensibility has already been tagged 'TripBop' (she’s yet to release a single and Nelli has her own genre!). Cool yet catchy, dark yet distinctly danceable, Nelli's sound is already captivating the beard stroking crowd at Ronnie Scotts and the dancefloor at Smooth, Ministry of Sound's Garage night. With her dance kicks and jazz licks, the outrageously sexy Russian is making waves in the music scene. A new star is born.
Jazz Noir oozes eccentricity and 2003 creativity with the help of a six-piece band composing drums, guitar, bass, keyboard, trumpet, and sax. Music business whores Paul Smith and Bob Bradley, who between the two have worked with pop acts like Sugababes, Appleton sisters, Prefab Sprout, Madasun and many more are the producers of Rees' unique debut album as well as playing in her live band.
If you would like something very special and unique for your event then check Nelli out.

More information is available at:

www.nellirees.co.uk
www.candidrecords.com