"Such is Beirne's skill that she sings these pop favourites as though she were singing Gershwin, Porter or Berlin…" - ✶✶✶✶ Jazz Journal, Derek Ansell
Many months ago I was wondering what to treat you with for our last gig before Christmas, when an email from Beverley Beirne popped into my Inbox with a gig proposal. Perfect I thought, what a way to get into the Christmas spirit. A great singer with a terrific band.
This irresistible show is set to include a sassy swing through Slade’s ‘Come on Feel The Noize’; a vocally seductive, piano pounding jam of Adam and the Ants ‘Prince Charming’; a sultry, vocally astounding, take on Kim Carnes’ Bette Davis Eyes; a fast boiling, scat and sax happy visit to ‘Ghost Town’ by The Specials; a properly lush and elegant tribute to that glorious moment ‘When Smokey Sings’ ABC’s homage to Smokey Robinson; a marvelously scatty, hip arrangement of M’s Pop Muzik (now Jazz Muzik); a speed limit breaking rhythmic jaunt on Too Shy in which Beverley sings wildly against the rhythm; and a marching New Orleans stomp twist on Billy Idol’s Hot in the City…alongside other fantastic songs from the album and more unexpected tunes given a jazz spin.
Raised on a diet of Jazz and 80’s pop, British Jazz singer Beverley Beirne has combined the two with her latest freewheeling, stylistically expansive new album 'Jazz Just Wants To Have Fun'. Singing with an honest, heartfelt, deep-soul sensuality and scatting with abandon in places that would do Ella proud, she swings both lightning fast and seductively slow on clever and stylish re-imaginings of perfectly chosen 80s hits.
More details and booking
Sunday 15 December 8pm - Mike Westbrook + Uncommon Orchestra. Grand Hotel, Torquay
A last reminder, if you haven't already got yourself a ticket, Mike Westbrook and his 22-piece Uncommon Orchestra are playing at The Grand Hotel, Torquay with a unique big-band Christmas entertainment – a seasonal mix of blues, panto music, bebop, jazz carols, cutting-edge originals and well-loved big band classics by Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Following a sell-out performance at Ronnie Scott’s earlier in the year and a triumphant show ‘Jazz on a Summer’s Afternoon’ at Torquay Town Hall in August, Mike Westbrook and his Uncommon Orchestra are back in Torquay at its famous Grand Hotel with ‘Cool Christmas’.
A special menu pre-concert dinner can be booked and, should you wish to stay the night at the Grand Hotel, discounted rooms rates are available.
More details, booking and a great video of the big band at Torquay Town Hall
Venues:
Churston Golf Club, Dartmouth Road, Galmpton, Brixham TQ5 0LA
Grand Hotel, Seafront, Torbay Road, Torquay, TQ2 6NT
Booking:
Either online with tickets being e-mailed to you or, for Torbay performances, tickets are available to buy in person from:
Torbay Riviera Shop,Torquay Harbour (closed Saturday 14 December) | Brixham Library, Brixham | Pimlico, Palace Avenue, Paignton
Full details of forthcoming events are on our website
fougoumusic.com
All enquiries:
e: enquiries@fougoumusic.com
t: 07967 790358
