Women in Jazz
Brian Soundy, director of UK Jazz Radio recently announced that Verona is to present a weekly programme called “Women In Jazz” – visit UK Jazz Radio.
Jazz on the Roof
We will be holding our Summer fundraising event on 24 August at the Lyric Hammersmith. All funds raised on the night will go towards our Hospital Arts activities to help patients, their families and staff.
The beautiful re-furbished roof terrace at the Lyric is the perfect venue to sit back and relax with a drink whilst listening to our Jazz performers. Tickets are just £35 each, which includes all food and drink for the evening.
Our main act is The Verona Chard Band. Accompanying lead singer Verona will be John Horler (piano), Alec Dankworth (bass) and Winston Clifford (drums). Verona, whose Jazz album ‘Fever’ was released in July 2010, has recorded tracks for Humphrey Lyttelton and performed at the Ealing Jazz Festival, The National Theatre, the Sedbergh Literary Festival and the Edinburgh Festival, to name a few.
Supporting The Verona Chard Band will be Charlotte Glasson (saxophone) and Jason Henson (guitar). Both Charlotte and Jason are acomplished musicians. Last year saw The Charlotte Glasson Band win the Best Newcomer Award at The Marlborough Jazz Festival, and also feature in Jazz Live, a lottery-funded film about the London jazz scene. Jason Henson has worked with some of the country’s finest musicians, including US legend Joe Lee Wilson, and gypsy swing outfit The Jonny Hepbir Trio.
Please bring friends, family, colleagues and whomever you think will enjoy the event. Everyone is welcome to attend.
To purchase tickets, please call 020 8846 6600 / email arts@chelwestcharity.org.uk or visit www.hospitalarts.org.uk
We look forward to seeing you at the Lyric!
16.09.10 @ The Big Top
UK Jazz Radio presents Jazz in The Big Top – Stratford-upon-Avon with music and circus workshops and live music including The Verona Chard Band - Thursday 16th September, 2010
Please visit www.ukjazzradio.com for further details
Jazz in the Big Top
Thursday 16 September Jazz in The Big Top – Stratford – upon – Avon with music and circus workshops and live music including The Verona Chard Band from 7pm – further details can be found at www.ukjazzradio.com
20.10.10 @ The Spice Of Life
The Spice Of Life – London - Wednesday 20th October, 2010
Details to follow…
18.10.10 @ Pomegranate Theatre
The Pomegranate Theatre – Chesterfield - Monday 18th October, 2010
Details to follow…
24.09.10 @ Library Theatre
The Library Theatre – Luton - Friday 24th September, 2010
Details to follow…
18.09.10 @ The Old Joint Stock
The Old Joint Stock – Birmingham - Saturday 18th September, 2010
Details to follow…
10.09.10 @ The cornerHOUSE
The cornerHOUSE – Surbiton - Friday 10th September, 2010
Details to follow…
09.09.10 @ Cafe Chai
Verona Chard - Thursday 9th September, 2010
To register call Vamp Jazz – 020 8997 3355 – or on the door.
Table bookings Cafe Chai – 020 8579 3696
Free entry.
£5.00 entry for participating singers.
14.03.10 (Mother’s Day)
Sunday 14th March, 2010 - Mother’s Day
Music from 1.30pm with the Charlotte Glasson Trio and (2nd set) Verona Chard – vocals.
Food Served
Free entry.
11.3.10 @ Cafe Chai
Verona Chard with the Les Cirkel Trio and Singers Night - Thursday 11th March, 2010
Singers please note you must come prepared with charts in correct key and be ‘off book.’
To register call Vamp Jazz – 020 8997 3355 – or on the door.
Table bookings Cafe Chai – 020 8579 3696
Next dates: Thurs – 8 Apr / 13 May / 10 June / 8 July / 12 Aug / 9 Sept / 14 Oct / 11 Nov / Dec – no music
Free entry.
£5.00 entry for participating singers.
4.2.10 @ Cafe Chai
Winners of The Best Newcomer Award – Marlborough Festival and currently recipients on the Jazz Services Touring Scheme
020 8997 3355 for details & press
020 8579 3696 table bookings
£5.00 entry
What the Press says about Verona Chard
“Verona Chard sings with style and pizzazz with a band that adds vigour and invention”
The Herald
“The music was excellent, and Verona’s lovely voice worked especially well in the Jazz Bar where the sheer proximity of the musical instruments emphasises the excitement and energy of live jazz”
Three Weeks – Edinburgh 2008
“I’m knocked out with Jail Break, absolutely marvellous”
Humphrey Lyttelton – ‘Sad Sweet Songs and Crazy Rhythms’ album
“Highly talented”
The Evening Standard
“Verona Chard…a name to watch out for in the future”
Richard Niman – The Courier
“Exquisitely performed by a first class singer delightful to see and hear”
J.R.L. Reyner – The Stage
“Beautiful voice”
The Scotsman
“Chard’s open toned gliding accuracy was as refreshing as the finely balanced accompaniment”
Hampstead & Highgate Express
“Verona Chard charmed the audience with her expressive performance and bubbling personality”
Bath Star
Choose Your Favourite Track Competition
To celebrate the launch of Verona Chard’s new album “Fever“, we’re giving fans the opportunity to win a cash prize.
Subscribe to Verona’s mailing list for automatic entry into the competition for the opportunity to win £250.00 CASH!
Fever sessions @ Cowshed Studios
On 21 July 2010 Verona’s album ‘Fever’ is due for release, it features her fabulous band of Stellar players and arrangements of songs by Elton John, John Dankworth, Cole Porter, Rogers and Hart, Humphrey Lyttelton, Stephen Sondheim, Galt MacDermot, Cooley/Davenport, Leonard Bernstein and Ann Ronell.
Alan Barnes – Saxophone/Clarinet
Alan is a multi-award winning saxophonist / clarinet player and recipient of BBC Jazz Awards Best Instrumentalist category 2001 and 2006. Eight times winner of the Marston’s Pedigree Jazz Awards. Alan has played with the BBC Big Band and Radio Orchestra and nationally and internationally with numerous bands including Sir John Dankworth, Humphrey Lyttelton and on albums with Jamie Cullum; Bjork; Van Morrison; Bryan Ferry and Westlife.
Mark Fletcher – Drums
Mark is a former pupil of Max Abrams. Mark worked in clubs, bars, Theatres, TV/Radio sessions and cruises from the early 1970s until the mid-eighties, when he became in-house drummer at Ronnie Scott’s.
Lianne Carroll, Ian Shaw, Georgie Fame, Dizzy Gillespie, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Mark Murphy, Tim Garland, Flora Purim, Johnny Griffin, David Gilmour, Hatfield & the North, Soft Machine, Norma Winstone, Geoff Eales , John Etheridge, Tony Coe, James Moody, Cedar Walton, Gary Boyle, Teddy Edwards, Joclyn Brown, Hugh Cornwell, Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, Lea DeLaria are just some of the many fine artists that this exciting/creative drummer has worked with.
Charlotte Glasson – Saxophone
Charlotte has worked with Oasis, The Divine Comedy, John Cooper Clarke, Claire Martin, Will Young, Will Gaines, Unkle and the Latin Soul Brothers plus Julian Lloyd Webber and Ian Shaw to name a few.
Other highlights include the Sydney Opera House, Ronnie Scott’s plus various jazz festivals in the UK and Europe, Philadelphia, Miami and Fort Lauderdale.Winner of Best Newcomer – Marlborough Jazz Festival 2009.
Dave Green – Bass Guitar
Dave was winner of the bass category of the British Jazz Awards for 1987/89/92/94/96 and 98. Dave plays with numerous ‘greats’ from the UK and America including the Stan Tracey Quartet , Don Rendell / Ian Carr Quintet, Michael Garrick, Peter King, Carol Kidd, Jim Hall, Scott Hamilton, Roland Kirk, Lee Konitz, at Ronnie’s with Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Sonny Rollins and from 1963 – 1983 with the Humphrey Lyttelton Band.
Andy Hamill – Upright/Electric Bass Guitar
Andy has appeared on over a hundred albums and with numerous bands in top jazz venues. He is also a regular favourite of Mark Murphy, Nitin Sawhney and Kylie Minogue.
Kevin Robinson – Trumpet
Kevin has toured nationally and internationally with Simply Red since 1998. He has worked with Ray Charles, George Benson, Tom Jones, Paul McCartney, Steve Winwood, Monty Alexander, Mica Paris, Lulu, Pet Shop Boys, Incognito, Maxi Priest, Jazz Warriors and Courtney Pine.
Alex Stanford – Piano/Keyboards
Alex works with numerous jazz / fusion and free improv. bands. He has played with Lianne Carroll, Jean Toussaint, Alec Dankworth, Mick Hutton and Stan Sulzmann to name but a few.
Fiona Clifton-Welker – Harp
Fiona recently played for the 60th Birthday celebrations for Prince Charles. Has performed with the ENO Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra (Principal Harp), City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, London Concert Orchestra, New London Orchestra, New Mozart Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Ballet Rambert.
Also at the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company in London and Stratford.
In the West End she has held the post of principal harp for The Producers, Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast and A Little Night Music.
Live and recorded broadcasts include BBC Radio 3, Radio 2 and Classic FM with a variety of chamber ensembles. As a soloist she has travelled as far as Bombay and has made television appearances in India and the UK.
Ray Wordsworth – Trombone
Ray went professional on leaving school at 16. At 21 he joined Ken Mackintosh, then Sid Phillips, Joe Daniels, BBC Radio Band, Syd Lawrence, Geoff Love, Alex Welsh and has held the post of Principal Trombone chair in the BBC Radio Orchestra.
He has played with Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstine, Mel Torme, Shirley Bassey and Jack Jones. He works regularly with The Humphrey Lyttelton Band, The Gentlemen of Jazz and the Glen Miller Orchestra.
Snapshots from the recording sessions…
Jazz, Blues and Live at Café Chai
The re-launch Oct 1 2009 went with a bang with the award winning Charlotte Glasson Band at Ealing’s award winning venue.
Please see listings for further details…
30.10.09 @ Birnam Arts Centre
VERONA CHARD BAND - Friday 30th October, 2009
