Jacqui Hicks: Album Launch "Song Club"
Jacqui Hicks took the scene by storm in the early 90’s as the standout singer with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO). This led to a fruitful and acclaimed partnership with beloved UK pianist John Critchinson & his Trio, making two albums together – “With A Song In My Heart” (2005), featuring Dave Green and Tina May, and “A Child Is Born”, (2010) featuring Dave Green and Bobby Wellins. Jacqui also started working with the iconic Brit funk band Shakatak, in a musical relationship that has endured to this day. Along the way, she was the featured singer with Paprika Soul, scoring a top 10 soul hit with their single “Standing Right Here” and currently, makes regular appearances at the 606 Club with Phil Mulford’s jazz/funk outfit Thunderthumbs. As a session singer, she has sung on several film soundtracks and is proud to say she can be heard singing the spoof jingles on the spoof radio station in Peter Kay’s Car Share! You get the idea, she’s constantly in demand and very very good.
Against this backdrop, during the pandemic where opportunities to perform were few and far between Jacqui, along with other musician friends, joined an online songwriting group led by the highly regarded bassist/producer Geoff Gascoyne (Jamie Cullum, Claire Martin, Georgie Fame…) and “Song Club” was born! Jacqui’s first album of totally original material, it traces its lineage to greats such as Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Carole King, George Benson and Al Jarreau. And to celebrate the launch tonight, the band is just as remarkable: Graham Harvey-piano; Malcolm MacFarlane-guitar; Geoff Gascoyne-bass; Jack Karnacz-Pollitt-drums; Andy Greenwood, Mike Lovatt, Adrian Revell, Pat Hartley-horns and Alison Jiear, Simon Foster-backing vocals. This promises to be a truly joyous event – don’t miss it.
UK Jazz News Preview Interview with Jacqui Hicks
Photo by Becky Lee Brun