Fleur Stevenson: vocals Hugh Turner: guitar Raph Mizraki: double bass
£16 diners only. Tickets: 01491 641282
Upcoming Gigs
Fleur Stevenson with Blakes Heaven Big Band
North Wall Arts Centre, South Parade, Summertown , Oxford OX2 7JN
Blake’s Heaven Big Band is a 17-piece modern Big Band ensemble delivering funk, pop, jazz and swing styles from all genres of music. Their repertoire ranges from classic big band to fun cartoon, TV and film themes and popular time-honoured hits from the 60s through to the 90s (plus an assortment of original material). They will be featuring one the UK’s finest jazz vocalists, Fleur Stevenson.
£22
An evening of top swinging jazz in a lovely church setting with Fleur Stevenson (vocals), Stuart Henderson (trumpet), Hugh Turner (guitar) and Raph Mizraki (double bass). Tickets (£20): 07767 463285, or email gillianloyd@gmail.com
Fleur Stevenson sings The Music Of Ella
Oaken Grove Vineyard, Benhams Lane, Fawley, Henley-on-Thames. RG9 6JG
A familiar face on the London jazz scene, Fleur Stevenson is gifted with a honeyed tone, an offbeat sense of humour and a naturally charismatic stage presence. Her phrasing, use of space and improvisational ability nod to obvious influences from the greats such as Shirley Horn and Anita O’Day but Fleur is carving a niche all of her own with her surprising yet stylish interpretations of jazz standards and her tender, heartfelt delivery of romantic ballads.
Fleur's latest album (2022) with multi-instrumentalist Pete Billington, 'For All We Know', received much critical acclaim and is included in the prestigious Jazz Views Best Albums of the Year Award, and also featured as one of Jazz Fuel's Best 30 Jazz Releases of 2022.
During this performance Fleur will be paying homage to the Queen of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald, with a programme of Ella's most famous hits from 'Summertime' to 'It don't mean a thing'. Joining Fleur on stage will be skilled multi-instrumentalist Pete Billington (piano and guitar) and Ukrainian tenor sax star Anatoliy Vyacheslavov.
£22
A familiar face on the London jazz scene, Fleur Stevenson is gifted with a honeyed tone, an offbeat sense of humour and a naturally charismatic stage presence. Fleur creates an instant rapport with her audience through sparkling narrative and an unerring instinct for choosing the right material to showcase her talent.
Hugh Turner is a superbly exiting guitarist – his playing style is steeped in the blues and combined with the funkier side of jazz, creates a sonically exciting soundscape that fizzes with power, groove and stunning musicality. Hugh’s music appeals to a wide range of audiences – from jazz aficionados to lovers of raw, musical energy and his performances have been a huge success at jazz clubs and music venues throughout the UK for over two decades.
Fleur Stevenson – Vocals Hugh Turner – guitar Stuart Henderson – Trumpet Mike Green – Double bass
New album!
Fleur Stevenson and Pete Billington: For All We Know
Release date: 28th October
Cat No: PB1002
Launch event: Launch Event: The Pheasantry (London) 26th October, 2022
AWARDS
'For All We Know' is included in the prestigious Jazz Views Best Albums of the Year Award, and also featured as one of Jazz Fuel's Best 30 Jazz Releases of 2022.
LINER NOTES
The intimacy of the duo often produces music of exquisite beauty, and reveals a level of empathy between the musicians that can border on the incomprehensible. How can two people be so in tune with each other and the music, and react so intuitively in a music that is never played the same way twice? It is also a very unforgiving setting with no margin for error or hesitancy as every note, nuance and gesture is placed under the closest scrutiny with nowhere to hide.
With scant regard for the above and any inherent pitfalls in such a venture, Fleur Stevenson and Pete Billington present a set that is utterly spellbinding.
There is a fearlessness in the performances heard here that defy comparison with other versions of their chosen repertoire as the two protagonists seek to make their own personal mark on the music.
This, it should be noted, is done with great aplomb, as we are invited to listen to the delightful conversations between Fleur and Pete in their exploration of some classic songs.
Fleur imbues each song with a poignancy that enhances the lyric, whether it be a touch of melancholy, innocence, or resignation, delivering a thoughtful, fresh interpretation of the repertoire. The music is enhanced at every turn by Pete Billington's superb arrangements and multi-instrumentalism, which brings with it a splendid variety for the duo to explore whether Pete is heard on piano, guitar, double bass or even viola.
Listening to the music produced by these two wonderful musicians once again reminds us of the art of the duo, and how powerful and emotive the songs can be when handled as sensitively as they are on this album.
Liner notes: Nick Lea
ALBUM LAUNCH:
Wednesday 25th October, at The Pheasantry, Pizza Express Live, Chelsea.
Tickets (£15:) www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/fleur-stevenson-pete-billington-from-ella-to-oscar
