Bob Broad - Keyboard.
Vicky Tilson - Bass
Ollie Haffenden - Saxophone, Percussion.
Maria Margiotta - Vocals, Percussion.
Influences
Sarah Vaughan - Ella Fitzgerald - Frank Sinatra - Billie Holiday - Emma Kirkby - Renee Fleming - Victoria de los Angeles - Teresa Stratus - Cecilia Bartoli - Edith Piaf - Peggy Lee - Lena Horne - Julie London - Kate Bush - George Benson - Maria Friedman - Claire Martin - Jacqui Dankworth - Cleo Laine - Kirsty MacColl - the work of Stephen Sondheim - the songs of The Beatles and Abba
Voice: Lower Octave D to Top C.
I began studying classical singing after working in theatre and broadcast TV production - and finally unlocked the voice that had been craving to get out!
BA Hons in Music and English followed, and I later studied jazz with Shireen Francis and Gunther Kuhrmeyer, and now find myself performing in classical recitals, music theatre revues, and jazz gigs.
My other training ground was with Helen Lowe directing St Margaret's Community Theatre productions, BROS Operatic Society and arts festivals, alongside highly professional and established artistes and production teams.
I've since performed in opera cabaret, jazz gigs, recitals, plays, pantomimes and musicals, and BV studio session work with Richard Lightman (producer).
Whether singing with an orchestra, solo pianist, jazz band or experimenting with flamenco guitar accompaniment; on stage, outdoors or in a studio, I am totally focused and fulfilled.
Michael Law and the Piccadilly Dance Orchestra, Hugh Burns and Yevgenny Kissin are among the master musicians I have had the pleasure of performing with.
I use the Husler technique when training other singers and have worked on a one to one basis as well as teaching at the London Contemporary Centre of Music; a pop choir for a Royal Albert Hall event, and singers for cruise liner entertainments.
A project on songs, prose and poetry of political and social conscience is waiting to be aired and so is a drama script for radio.
I work to support, and envisage, a higher regard for the important function of the arts to develop the benefits of a cultural and, therefore, peaceful world.
Other acknowledgements: Stuart Wood who produced the arrangements of Wuthering Heights, The Day Before You Came and My son (which he also wrote, for 'The Musical Medium'); Antoinette Hart my classical singing tutor and Geoff Castle (Time After Time demo)
Sept 09 I begin MA studies in Classical Theatre at Kingston Uni (linked to Rose Theatre, Kingston)
For 20 years I have been practicing Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism and am a member of SGI-UK, lay Buddhist society.
