The Grey Lady Music Lounge, Sunday 11th October 2009

Richard Navarro’s live shows are renowned for spectacular feats of vocal and instrumental virtuosity and improvisation. Previous collaborations include the ‘Let Go Light’ UK tour with live visuals controlled by wireless shoes, the ‘Firewatching’ UK and Ireland tour with choirs and brass bands, and with The Luminants featuring extraordinary magic lantern displays.

Navarro composed and produced the music for Lemn Sissay’s critically-acclaimed ‘Warrior Poets’ and is curator of the poetry stage at the prestigious In the Woods Festival.

Along with fellow multi-instrumentalist Nicholas Thurston, Navarro has performed at many UK festivals including Latitude and Greenbelt, and toured as support for Joan Armatrading. Many of these performances and projects have included young and marginalised people in composing and performing new music.

“Finely-crafted songwriting” -- Joan Armatrading

“Richard is a genius” -- Lemn Sissay

“You were fantastic!” -- Imelda May

“Staggeringly talented” -- Charlie Andrew (BRIT Awards Producer of the Year 2016)

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Paul Bennett, a local singer/songwriter who has been playing guitar and writing for 15 years, is well travelled and has an interesting history, which has given him the ability to weave deep and insightful lyrics into his art! Paul is passionate about creating music and spreading positivity. "To me it's about the lyrics and playing original songs live, that's why I do it. I want to experiment with the technology, create bridges between the various types of music. Trying to get a sound that's new and exciting to me is a buzz".

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Tunbridge Wells based singer/songwriter Tom Hunt's alternative acoustic rock delivers an edgy and melodic style, which coupled with his versatile tones marks him out as one of the up and coming local soloists. He says:

"I like nothing more than playing guitar and singing for all you lovely people! My influences come from a wide range of musical styles and genres including rock, alternative, grunge, metal, new wave, punk and dance. I'm currently working on some new material and will hopefully have recorded a few tracks and have them on cd for everyone as soon as possible. As well as performing as a solo artist i currently play in local bands "Super Duper and the Ya Yas", "The Dirty Pillows" and "Avarice Rising". I'm aiming to continue writing songs and eventually record an album of my own material with various friends of mine as guest musicians. Mainly i just want to keep playing and enjoying music".

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Frances Yonge is a songwriter, pianist and musical director. She loves being involved with many musical projects, but her heart is rooted in the art of writing songs. For Frances, songwriting is an escapism that provides a sanctuary of free expression.  

Frances’ work takes you on an unpredictable musical journey which has been described as ‘ageless’ and ‘evocative’. 

Despite a saturated music market, Frances remains committed to producing albums, telling her life story in her songs. Her last two albums ‘My Garden’ (2011) and ‘Stonewaller’ (2016) are the result of a fulfilling collaboration and friendship with Miriam Cox (cello) and James Cox (percussion/drums). 

Frances is looking forward to sharing her new album, ‘All you can see is sky’ which will be released in 2018.

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