Kevin Fitzsimmons Quintet

Featuring Leon Greening

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Last Show: Sunday 18 th June 2017

PizzaExpress Jazz Club (Soho)

“Another star to follow” says influential Jazzwise about one of the most talked about male jazz voices to emerge on the UK jazz scene in recent times. Star of Big Band theatre show based on Sinatra’s iconic years at Capitol Records, his debut jazz album was released to national critical acclaim and he’s enjoyed sell-outs at numerous venues around the UK incl. Ronnie Scotts, jazz festival appearances, a concert on JazzFM and his wondrous vocals have featured in TV & Radio commercials. This special gig also celebrates release of Kevin’s new live album – recorded here last year. The combination of his tour de force vocal style and his band’s celebrated bebop credentials guarantees you a relentlessly entertaining afternoon of top jazz. “Unique interpretations, superb presence, unique personality, a brilliant gig” – More Opinions (Jazz Nights)

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“His voice is an irresistible mix of Sinatra Bennett & Buble, backed by a world class band”

Jazz FM

Expect a vibrant programme today from Kevin Fitzsimmons, an artist who has managed to create a genuinely unique approach to male jazz vocals.  London born Kevin is a long time fan of Mark Murphy and Mel Torme, and has been described as one of most individual male jazz voices to emerge on the UK jazz scene in recent times. Lauded by jazz critics for his naturally swinging vocals, elastic phrasing and engaging, highly personable stage presence Kevin is already forging a reputation as a charismatic presence and songwriter of high quality. 

His debut album was released to national critical acclaim and he has enjoyed sell-outs with his band at numerous venues around the UK, including several times at Ronnie Scott’s. He performed a one-hour live concert broadcast on Jazz FM and has enjoyed several jazz festival appearances, including Cheltenham. Kevin’s distinctive vocals have featured in several TV and radio commercials in the UK and Europe, including a TV advert with Hollywood movie star Naomi Watts and with his band appeared in E4′s Made In Chelsea. He also currently stars in a touring UK Big Band concert celebrating Sinatra’s supreme era on the Capitol label. 

This special gig also celebrates the release of Kevin’s new live album - recorded here at the Pizza Express Jazz Club. Relive some of the highlights of that gig in this exciting show featuring unique new vocal takes on standards from the likes of Strayhorn, Jobim, Legrand, Ellington and Porter; some formidable new jazz translations of classic pop/soul recordings including Sam Cooke, The Beatles, Billy Preston and Paul Weller; and one or two originals - some co-written with Jools Holland saxophonist Derek Nash.  Starring alongside Kevin is his unstoppably swinging band, described by Jazzwise as “the cream of UK straight-ahead jazz musicians, solid and groove aplenty” they keep the audience on the edge of their seats: award winning pianist Leon Greening (“Catch him when you can” - Jazz Journal International), upcoming bassist Adam King (2015 Young Jazz Musician Of The Year), rising star young drummer Lloyd Haines, plus special guest American saxophonist and stalwart of the British Jazz scene Frank Griffith.

 

“His voice is an irresistible mix of Sinatra, Bennett and Bublé, backed by a world class band” Jazz FM.
“Unique interpretations, superb presence, a brilliant gig” More Opinions (Jazz Nights)

“Fitzsimmons has the most unenviable job in jazz: sounding original in the male-jazz-vocalist mould. But he's his own man,  especially when accompanied by Leon Greening” The Jazz Journal

“Lovers of jazz vocal mainstream have another star to follow” Jazzwise Magazine

“The way Fitzsimmons flies freely around his themes is exciting to hear” Wales Arts Review at Wall2Wall Jazz Festival

“Talent, originality, has that rare vocal skill of total control of all he does” Jazz Critic, Grapevine Magazine, live gig review

“He is a thoroughbred jazz singer and can even swing a superior rock song such as Paul Weller’s You Do Something To Me” Marlbank (Jazz Critic, S Graham)

Band Lineup

Kevin Fitzsimmons (vocals)

Leon Greening (piano)

Frank Griffith (sax)

Lloyd Haines (drums)

Adam King( bass)