The Artistes

Laurie Holloway Musical Director extraordinaire who was most recently Musical Director for Strictly Come Dancing and The Parkinson Show will appear, compered in his inimitable style by Sir Michael Parkinson CBE, at Macmillan Summer Music with his Strictly Laurie Holloway-Parkinson Big Band and some of his favourite singers as his guests. Kenny Lynch OBE, beautiful Grammy Nominated songstress Becki Biggins and Tomy Blaize.

Laurie's musical career spans 5 decades. He has played with and been musical director for Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr, Elaine Paige, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Dame Cleo Laine, his late wife Marion Montgomery, Rolf Harris, Bruce Forsyth, Robbie Williams, Engelbert Humperdinck, Stephane Grappelli, Dame Edna Everage, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Johnny Mercer and many more. He has written the theme tunes to many television programmes including Blind Date! He is considered by his peers to be one of the greatest piano players and accompanist in the world.

Sir Michael Parkinson CBE began his career as a journalist on local papers and as a features writer for the Daily Express and Manchester Guardian. His first foray into TV came when he joined Granada Television before moving to the BBC to join the 24 Hours team.

His talk show Parkinson was launched in 1971 and ran until 1982. He has also had a successful career on radio. In 1996 Michael launched a Sunday morning show on Radio 2 – which ran for 12 years. In 1998 he was separately honored for his work in journalism, radio and television. The same year saw a new series of Parkinson start on BBC ONE lasting until 2003 and winning many awards including a BAFTA in 1999. In 2004 he successfully transferred Parkinson to ITV until his retirement from the show in 2007. Parkinson was voted in the top ten in a British Film Institute poll of the Best Television Programmes Of All Time. The show ran for over 800 episodes and Michael interviewed more than 3,000 of the world’s most famous people during its run. He was awarded a CBE in June 2000 and a knighthood for services to broadcasting in the 2008 New Year’s honors list. He was installed as Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University in 2008, has released a CD, started his own Production Company and his recent autobiography, Parky, topped the Best Sellers charts in 2008/2009. 2009 saw Michael embark on a tour titled Parky: The One Man Show in which he told of his life and career to packed-out venues all over Australia and New Zealand. 2010 sees the launch of two further projects, headed by Michael and Parkinson Productions. October will see the release of another book – Parky’s People – and a Best Of Parkinson DVD.

Kenny Lynch OBE
Kenny must have tackled just about everything that is possible in show business during his illustrious career. Singer, songwriter, dancer and actor. He's produced and worked in management. He has constantly graced our TV screens, had many hit songs and is a groundbreaking and creative comedian. Laurie and Kenny have worked together for more years than they care to remember and their entertaining evening with a few jokes is a delight of music, stories and lighthearted fun.

Becki Biggins
Despite being only in her twenties, Becki has already had a number one album in the U.S. Smooth Jazz Chart with Paul Hardcastle which is Grammy nominated. Becki has been awarded the Best Newcomer Award at the Marlborough Jazz Festival. Her new projects include her "Accentuate the Positive" album with Laurie Holloway.

After a successful debut solo album, Becki’s second independent jazz album, The +Ve, was recorded in November 2009. It features the talents of both the legendary Musical Director Laurie Holloway and undoubtedly the best young pianist and arranger in the UK today, Malcolm Edmonstone. The album, a collection of original arrangements of jazz standards and pop classics, will be officially released on April 30th 2010 at Pizza Express Jazz Club, Soho and will be available on iTunes from April 1st.

Simultaneously, Becki’s first UK single with Paul Hardcastle, 19 The Vision, is being released for download on April 19th.

Tommy Blaize
Tommy is an all round consummate artist – singer, keyboard player and successful composer. Blessed with a voice that stirs the soul, Tommy is the possessor of a rare and beautiful talent. (and a different hat for every performance!)

His wide ranging and distinctive vocal talents have made him the number one choice for many artists. In fact, in 2005 Maurice White, singer, songwriter and founder of Earth Wind and Fire personally requested Tommy to perform on his latest album.

Tommy has toured and recorded with a great number of artists, including Brian Eno, Paul Young, Incognito, Heather Small, Brand New Heavies, Craig David, Sting, Phil Collins, Beach Boys, Elkie Brooks, Gary Barlow, Sir George Martin, Natalie Cole, Eternal, Take That, Madeleine Bell, Chris de Burgh, Bruce Willis, etc.

TV performances include singing live on BBC TVs Strictly Come Dancing and Dance Fever.

As a composer, Tommy has written songs, jingles and dance records.

RASPO Steel Band

RASPO Steel Band is a UK based professional steel percussion ensemble ideal for public and private functions including weddings, parties, celebrations, community and corporate events.

From a three piece with percussion - ideal for background ambient music, to a seven piece with drums for both easy listening and dancing to calypso, enhance your event and impress your guests with an authentic steel percussion ensemble tailor made to suit your budget and requirements.

Years of experience and live appearances on BBC and ITV television are testament to the ensemble's popularity and professionalism. RASPO Steel Band will entertain and delight your guests or delegates with the true flavour of Caribbean sunshine.

Apex Jazz
Tony Nutt founded the Apex Jazz Band and leads o the cornet. The band plays aas a quartet, quintet or sextet. For Ellington@Wellington Macmillan Summer Music they will be in a quintet. Along with Tony will be Peter Minnett, who has performed on soprano saxophone for many years in Surrey. Bill Gyford, recently moved from London, on banjo and Ray Gould on Sousaphone.

Hart Male Voice Choir which will be singing popular contemporary music, was formed in 1975 is based in the picturesque Hampshire village of Odiham, Membership has grown to around 75 singers. The music of the choir, although being based on the traditional male voice choir type of singing, has always had a somewhat wider repertoire than most male voice choirs, and has always included pieces written and/or arranged specially for the choir, mostly by the choir's David Smart, the Musical Director. The choir aims to perform to a high standard of musicality. Judith Morgan has been accompanist since 1991.

In 1996 the internationally well-known operatic baritone Bryn Terfel agreed to become Choir President.

The artistes are delighted to be involved in Ellington @ Wellington 2010 for Macmillan Cancer Support and we’re delighted to have them on board.