The Artistes

The Laurie Holloway Trio, featuring all-round entertainer and singer Kenny Lynch and singer/saxophonist Becki Biggins, tops the bill this year. Laurie is one of the UK’s foremost musicans, composers and arrangers. A classically-trained pianist he has worked, as Musical Director, with many great stars and several major orchestras on television and radio, the stage and world tours. His friends and associates include Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Michael Parkinson, Dame Cleo Laine, Bruce Forsyth, and Sir John Dankworth. Laurie also accompanied his late wife, jazz diva Marion Montgomery, in shows and recordings. Together they set up The Montgomery Holloway Music Trust, which provides expert tuition to young singers and musicians.

Simon Ward, Musical Director, formed the Innovations Jazz Orchestra in 2000 with five other enthusiasts and it’s grown to around 25 musicians who enjoy playing big band, swing and jazz. Visiting musicians swell the ranks – over 100 have joined in as guest artistes, stand-ins or at rehearsals. They play as a full orchestra or in smaller combinations from a trio upwards and have a wide-ranging play list. Innovations have a full ‘fixtures’ programme round the year, indoors and out. “Something to behold when in full swing”, says Simon.

Joy Wheeler conducts Reading-based The Barberettes, a 48-strong chorus of keen singers from all walks of life. The group is a founder member of The Ladies’ Association of British Barbershop Singers and often reaches the finals of the annual national competition. The Barberettes’ broad repertoire of popular songs in unaccompanied four-part harmony makes them in great demand for a variety of events and they undertake a charity project every year.

Peter Beadell, Head of Music at Portchester Community School, Fareham and Steel Pan Co-ordinator, Hampshire Music Service, founded Sounds of Steel community youth orchestra. Winners of two Notting Hill Carnival ‘On the Road’ competitions, the band has toured in the UK, Europe and the Caribbean, played for HM The Queen and taken part in the Royal Albert Hall Schools Prom. Their ‘Panjazz’ combines steel pans with ‘trad’ jazz instruments.

The artistes are delighted to be involved in Ellington @ Wellington 2008 for Macmillan Cancer Support and we’re delighted to have them on board.