The Motown and Groove night special will include hits by artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Michael McDoanld, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Martha and the Vandella’s and Lala Hathaway.
The band includes: Tony Sandeman on Guitar (Ben E King/Martha Reeves and the Vandellas), Marc Cecil on Drums (The Foundations/The Drifters/ Robin Jones) and Andy Staples on Bass (The Real Thing, Jason Rebello, Picante, The Carpenters Story) Mike Horner on Keys (Vinegar Strokes, Queertet, Tara Minton.
Lead vocalist Julia started singing at school in before graduating to The Melvin Beddow Big Band at aged 17. Various pop, rock and funk function line ups followed before Julia tried a Jazz Summer School at the Guildhall run by Peter Churchill and Scott Stroman, both of whom she went on to have vocal tuition with in the 80’s. In 1997 she attended the 1st Essex Easter Jazz Course. Vocal tutor (and later Julia’s mentor) BBC Male Jazz vocalist of the year Ian Shaw pointed out Julia’s voice to fellow tutor and Guitarist Tony Sandeman, who later invited her up to sing a few numbers with legendary jazz funk combo ‘C’ Level. During that time Julia worked with the late great Pete Jacobsen (Keyboards) Vic Woods (Trumpet) Gary Plumley (Sax) and Alan Forman (Bass) Neil Robinson (drums). Subsequently Julia and Tony have also worked together with Tim Huskisson, Sam Edwards and Dan Banks (keyboards) Andy Staples (bass) Marc Cecil (drums) and Alan Clarke (drums) Graham Hunter (trumpet) and Zak Barratt (Sax).
As a singer songwriter she has collaborated with Jazz Guitarist Dave Mascall performing with his band including Mike King (Keyboards) and has songs on a number of Dave’s Acid Lounge CD’s, including Carnival Latino which made it into the top 10 in the Grenada Soul Charts!