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Michael Henderson, Norman Connors and Carleen Anderson live

Sunday, March 2, 201419:30 – 22:30

Michael Henderson, Norman Connors & The Starship Orchestra

Royal Festival Hall – Buy Tickets at this link (opens a new window: you will be buying from the venue): £ 17.50 – £45

 

American multi grammy award nominated Michael Henderson, and iconic Jazz Drummer Norman Connors with their Starship Orchestra, presents this world premiere show. They will be further joined by special guest vocalist Carleen Anderson. The event will feature the best of their joint and individual music spanning four decades of soulful jazz and celberate Normans Connors 40th year in the industry.Michael Henderson is one of the first notable bass guitarists of the fusion era as well as being one of the most influential jazz and soul musicians of the past 40 years. He has played and recorded with many famous artists, notably Miles Davis, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, the Dramatics and Doctor John. He is considered to be one of the three greatest Motown bass guitarists, along with Bob Babbitt.After almost seven years with Miles Davis, Henderson focused on songwriting and singing in a solo career that produced many hit songs and albums for Arista Records. Although known primarily for ballads, vocalizing on the recording of “You Are My Starship” and “Valentine Love” performed with Jean Carn, he is an influential funk player whose riffs and songs have been widely covered.

Norman Connors is an American jazz drummer and an iconic composer, arranger, and producer who as led a number of influential jazz and R&B groups. His prolific career stretched over 4 decades and 17 albums.

His first recording was with Archie Shepp’s, after which played with Pharaoh Sanders. Connors began to focus more on R&B material in the mid 1970s after signing with Buddah Records. The has also produced recordings for various artists, including collaborators like Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jean Carn, Phyllis Hyman, Al Johnson, Norman Brown, and saxophonist Marion Meadows.

Carleen Anderson is an American soul singer, who has had great success in the UK. She is the daughter of singer Vicki Anderson and stepdaughter of Bobby Byrd, and previously the lead singer in the young Disciples.  She has released five solo studio albums to great critical and commercial success.

Carleen is one of the most powerful vocalists today, 2013 Jazz FM UK vocalist of the year and has been a favourite of audiences and fellow artist alike for over two decades.

The Starship Orchestra is being led by Aaron Liddard, and is supported by some significant and very established musicians which includes:

Bass: Ernie McKone

Keys: Sam Grimley

Guitar: Dave Ital

Trumpet: Paul Jordonous

Saxophone: Aaron Liddard

Trombone: Tom White

Cello: Jess Cox

Drums: Derek McKenzie

Violins & Violas: Eleanor Stanford, Amy Stanford, Laura Stanford

Background vocalist: LaDonna Harley-Peters

Background vocalist: Aaron Sokell

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