Paul Ryan & Jamie Safir 'Love Look Away'

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Last Show: Friday 29 th April 2022

The Pheasantry (Chelsea)

In recent years the vocalist Paul Ryan and jazz pianist Jamie Safir have formed a strong team which has drawn much of its inspiration from the collaboration between Tony Bennett and Bill Evans. Like Bennett, Paul has a distinctive voice and is noted for his impeccable phrasing and the warmth of his delivery, while Jamie brings the authentic flavour of improvisational jazz that enriches every melody and complements Paul’s singing to perfection. Consolidating their partnership with a debut CD for summer release, Paul and Jamie are delighted to return to the Pheasantry to showcase some of the tracks they have recorded along with their ongoing exploration of the finest numbers in the Great American Songbook and beyond. In an evening peppered with anecdotes about the songs and songwriters Paul and Jamie present a very personal selection of jazz-inflected standards featuring classics, rarities and a few delightful surprises.

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“Ryan sings with a knowledge and understanding of the nuances and wit of the great lyricists…each song a narrative…personal and poignant, opening up a thousand memories.”

JazzWise

PAUL RYAN

A favourite vocalist of the late jazz critic Jack Massarik, Paul Ryan has a style that evokes the golden age of the great crooners but his rich baritone is very much his own and has led him to play sell-out dates at such venues as the Hippodrome Casino, Hampstead Jazz Club, the Crazy Coqs, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Pizza Express Soho and, of course, the Pheasantry.

JAMIE SAFIR

Pianist, keyboardist, songwriter and musical director, Jamie Safir is in high demand across the UK and Europe and has worked with some of the finest names in contemporary jazz, pop and soul music. He has performed with Will Young, the Brand New Heavies and Birdy while, as a prominent member of the UK Jazz Scene he has worked with Ian Shaw, Mica Paris, Emma Smith, Claire Martin OBE, Liane Carroll, Claire Teal, Joe Stilgoe, Elaine Delmar and Natalie Williams.

“A match made in jazz heaven.” – THE JAZZ RAG

“Ryan’s relaxed delivery (was) complemented by Safir’s reflective and melodic piano…notes falling like cascades of raindrops, or tears, before an emphatic statement led back to the melody…the encore was a masterpiece of beauty and timing showing the empathy between the two performers.” -   JAZZ JOURNAL

“An evening with Paul Ryan is a rare treat. He has the sublime gift of putting an audience at their ease. His songs are well-chosen, his delivery is a delight. Everything is guaranteed to make you feel better.” – SIR MICHAEL PALIN