News

Charlie Wood at Ronnie Scott’s November 1st

13 Oct, 2020

Line-up: CHARLIE WOOD keys/vocals; CHRIS ALLARD guitar; DUDLEY PHILLIPS bass; NIC FRANCE (drums)Charlie Wood is a singer/songwriter and keyboardist whose work incorporates elements of jazz, blues, traditional r&b and popular music.

Wood’s most recent album, a mixture of new originals and classic soul/blues/r&b songs entitled “Tomorrow Night”, was released in November 2018.  “Privacy Policy”, an organ trio album with guitarist Chris Allard and drummer Ralph Salmins, will be released later this year.

“Remember the first time you heard Dylan, or Springsteen, or Costello, or Waits?  Charlie Wood delivers that same jolt.” ~ JAZZ TIMES

“Charlie Wood embodies hepcat worldliness and barroom empathy; he’s got style but also the wisdom that gives it heftiness.” ~ JAZZ REVIEW

Born and raised in Memphis, TN, Charlie headed down the Mississippi to New Orleans at seventeen, spending a few formative years soaking up the music and culture of the Big Easy and playing keys with local favourites like Charmaine Neville.  He returned to Memphis in his early twenties to join the band of legendary blues guitarist Albert King, with whom he toured the US and Europe.

Having established a musical reputation for himself, Charlie took up a long-standing residency with his Hammond organ trio at King’s Palace on Beale Street.  The gig became known to touring musicians and locals alike, attracting impromptu sit-ins from B.B. King, Georgie Fame, Joey DeFrancesco, George Coleman, Mulgrew Miller, Alvin Batiste, and many others.

In October 2014, Wood became the 136th recipient of a Brass Note on Beale Street, the Memphis equivalent of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  Other recipients include such musical luminaries as Elvis Presley, Al Green, and Isaac Hayes.

Wood is an accomplished and prolific singer/songwriter with numerous original releases under his belt, including “Southbound” and “Who I Am” on Ben Sidran’s GoJazz label and “Flutter and Wow” on Memphis-based Archer Records.  His original song “Promised Land” won the 2016 U.S.A Songwriting Competition, Jazz category.

www.charliewood.us

www.perdido.co.uk

https://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/performances/view/6039-charlie-wood#

Suffolk Jazz School Guitar Workshop

4 Jun, 2020

Tuesday 16th June 7pm – 8.30pm.

Looking forward to teaching this jazz guitar workshop – organised by the marvellous Suffolk Jazz School.

‘Guitarist Chris Allard will Improve your jazz guitar playing, drawing on material from greats including Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery and Pat Metheny. We will work through, break down and interpret key phrases by several of the most important and influential figures in jazz guitar history, making sense of the harmonic and rhythmic content and demonstrating how to incorporate this material into your own playing.’

One of the few good things about the current Corona Virus pandemic is the opportunity for amateur players to study with top jazz musicians.
Suffolk Jazz School is running a series of one and half hour interactive workshops with our tutors and other great jazz musicians using Zoom. Please share this with others who may be interested.
Because we have a good tutor/participant ratio so you can participate with the tutor, we are limiting numbers to 20 per workshop, so apply early to avoid missing out.
For each workshop you will be sent study materials beforehand. Each workshop, (except George Double’s workshop on 14th July), costs just £10 – a bargain to be able to work with such fine musicians.
People have different musical skill levels at these kinds of events and we try to include everyone as much as possible – and if you feel it’s too easy or difficult for you, please be patient as lots of ground will be covered during the workshops. And it’s also an opportunity for us all to learn from each other. George Double’s rhythm and drumming workshop is limited to a maximum of six participants and the cost is £15.
To apply, send an email to neil@neilbateman.co.uk stating which instrument you play and which workshop(s) you want to do and also send your payment to our account: Suffolk Jazz School Ltd. Starling Bank, Sort Code 60-83-71. Account no: 40427688. Please give your name as a reference and say which workshops(s) you are applying for.

 

 

Tour with Lea Salonga

1 Jul, 2019

Throughout July 2019 touring the UK with amazing singer Lea Salonga – a huge name in musical theatre; the original Miss Saigon amongst many other things… and also the voice of Jasmin in Alladin and other Disney movie starring roles.

 

 

Suffolk Jazz School 19-22 feb 2019

27 Dec, 2018

Looking forward to teaching on the first year of this alongside some great musicians.

It should be really informative and fun, is really well-organised and put together – at great premises in Ipswich, Suffolk. It’s selling well but spaces are still available – aspiring jazz musicians do have a look!

https://suffolkjazzschool.co.uk

Il Divo and Michael Ball Tour

6 Jul, 2018

Playing a tour with classical crossover group Il Divo who have sold 30+ million records – tour billed as ‘Il Divo Castles and Country’ – around the UK throughout July. And features Michael Ball OBE on some of the concerts

Upcoming gigs

BBC Big Band

Dreamweavers