AGENCY
AKA TRIO
AKA Trio is the result of 12 years of friendship between three world-renowned virtuosos: Italian guitarist, Antonio Forcione; Senegalese kora player; Seckou Keita; and Brazilian percussionist, Adriano Adewale. “Three musicians who were meant and destined to play together” as suggested by Songlines. Together they create intense, spiritual and resolutely acoustic music that transcends musical styles and genres. On stage they will showcase highlights from their album Joy, where “free-flowing songs and instrumentals dazzle with a rich musical, almost monastic, minimalism where less actually does mean more” by Morning Star. With each performance, AKA Trio takes us on a fabulous journey through Africa, Europe and South America with awe-inspiring, joyful, uplifting and life-affirming performances as well as incredible moments of improvisation.
“Music from three continents that sparkles so effortlessly together” London Evening Standard
ANTONIO FORCIONE
The multi award-winning Antonio Forcione, acoustic guitarist, composer and talented artist, is a highly charismatic and inventive performer. Antonio takes the guitar to new levels of expression and his numerous awards around the world are a testimony to his genius. With his original blend of jazz, Latin, African and flamenco sounds, he celebrates the unexpected elements in life with delicacy, humour and not least, passion. International tours have brought high critical acclaim from as far as Australia and Hong Kong to Russia, the Caribbean, USA and all over Europe.
'One of the great acoustic guitarists' (The Guardian) *****
JOE CANG
London born Singer, writer and multi-instrumentalist Joe Cang, released his first solo album after being signed by Clive Davis to Arista records. He has toured, recorded and written with Ian Dury, Scritti Politti, KT Tunstall, Desmond Dekker, Hall and Oates, Marianne Faithfull, Hugh Masekela, Leona Lewis and Aswad!
Named by the ‘Evening Standard’ as 'One of London’s great singers and songwriters', Joe made a huge impact on national radio with his super catchy plea to “Make Love” which Radio 2 took to its heart. It was playlisted for 5 weeks, and Chris Evans drew comparisons with the likes of Paolo Nutini and Amy Winehouse, winning him fans all over the UK.
LOCO IRONICO
The brainchild of British singer-songwriter Joe Cang and Italian musician and composer Matteo Saggese,
Loco Ironico is the collective band name for these two long time friends and musical collaborators.
'Matteo really does have a golden touch on the piano' (Simon Redley, Blues & Soul)
'Joe Cang is very much like Paul Carrack, in as much as his voice is unique and a real gift, and fits many genres of music, but a soul core to it.' (Simon Redley, Blues & Soul)
Mo Pleasure
Multi instrumentalist and producer Morris “Mo” Pleasure has been at the forefront of American popular music for the last three decades and his CV reads like a ‘Who’s Who?’ of popular music. Mo began his professional career playing with Ray Charles before moving on to working with the likes of George Duke, Christina Aguilera, Chaka Khan, Mary J Blige, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack and David Foster to name but a few, and he is currently Musical Director for the iconic Bette Midler. In 1993 he became a member and the Musical Director of legendary group Earth Wind and Fire and after that went on to play keyboards, trumpet and guitar on Janet Jackson’s 2001 “All for you” tour. In 2009, Mo became keyboardist for Michael Jackson's highly anticipated "This Is It" tour which sadly never took place. Mo performed at the pop legend's memorial concert in Los Angeles. Along with the rest of the This Is It band, Mo is immortalized in the eponymously titled film, the best-selling musical documentary of all time.
"...Pleasure proves that jazz can still be made which is smooth yet textured, is varied and interesting and can appeal to wide range of ears... Superb and essential." Soul Express
OLLY HITE
Olly Hite – Olly Hite is a UK Singer songwriter from the South of England. The piano man extraordinaire inspired by the early 70’s singer songwriting scene sounds echoes early works of Elton John colliding with the modern melodies of Chris Martin.
Hite had a global release with Norman Cook AKA Fatboy Slim on THE BPA – Brighton Port Authority, which had an all-star line-up including David Byrne, Iggy Pop, Martha Wainwright to name a few.
PHOEBE KATIS
Phoebe Katis – Having penned and performed the theme song to BAFTA & BIFA winning film ‘Kajaki. The True Story’ (2014), Phoebe is one of the UK’’s most sought after vocalists and songwriters. Combining her love of doo-wop harmony, funk pop, and folk, her music is an emotive fusion of soulful melodies and straight up lyrics. She is currently collaborating with American artist Cory Wong.
‘Phoebe Katis is one of the country’s most promising vocalists and songwriters. Widespread acclaim surely awaits.’ (Close up Culture)
SARAH GILLESPIE
Sarah Gillespie – Critically acclaimed, Anglo-American songstress Sarah Gillespie is renowned for mixing jazz with blues, folk with her trademark streetwise poetic lyrics which were recently published by Oxford's Albion Beatnik Press. Her 4 albums have received outstanding reviews from the UK press & she has toured extensively for the last 10 years, headlining leading venues & festivals in Europe, the UK and USA.
‘Gillespie, who joins Bob Dylan’s lyrical bite and languid delivery to the forthrightness of Joni Mitchell, with a little rap-like percussiveness thrown in, is an original’ (The Guardian) ****
TOM SEALS
Tom Seals, “quite possibly the future of jazz and blues”, has the world at this fingertips. His virtuoso solo-ing, excellent improvisations skills and distinctive voice have left top industry officials hailing him the UK’s finest boogie woogie and blues pianist/vocalist.
Seals is surely destined for greatness...hot on the heels of sold-out shows across the globe including London’s legendary Ronnie Scott’s, a stunning performance at Birdland Jazz Club on Broadway in New York and Dubai Opera House as well as working with Jools Holland, Tom Seals’ star is destined to soar stratospherically in 2023 with the release of his debut album, own TV show and festival appearances worldwide.
"A master of the piano and vocals to pierce your soul. A boogie-woogie genius and quite charming with it all." (Close-Up Culture)