Blue Harlem Biography:
‘I DARE YOU!’ is the fourth new album release for Blue Harlem and the first album to feature fabulous new vocalist Sophie Shaw. This album not only captures the fashionable spirit of forties and fifties rhythm n’ blues but also introduces new arrangements and a fresh collection of material to its listener.
Blue Harlem have always had an enviable reputation on the live music circuit following a career spanning 10 years. They have not only built a huge fan base internationally but have repeatedly been invited back to perform in front of the Royal Family both at Highgrove and Buckingham Palace. Based in London, the band are regulars at ‘The Pigalle’ and ‘The 100 Club’ (the chosen venue for the album launch) and frequently perform at Festivals and venues throughout Europe.
Sophie Shaw, who had been a long time fan of the band and regular dancer at their live gigs, previously worked on stage and screen as both an actress and singer. Of this recording Sophie says “I’m really excited about this album. We’ve had a blast getting some fabulous new material down. The band are playing better than ever – they swing me off my feet.”
Al Nicholls, tenor sax player and arranger for the band, says “ I am immensely proud of this recording. It’s by far the best album we have recorded to date! The boys individual playing is terrific – uplifting, generous and spirited. The ensemble playing is tight, crisp but always swinging like mad. Sophie has done a fantastic job re-interpretiung and styling these songs.”In this new recording the band continue the exploration of the urban blues. Artists such as Louis Jordan, Percy Mayfield, Charles Brown, Ruth Brown are all represented here, along with new material from the band itself and the song writing partnership of the legendary beat generation survivor Fran Landesman and composer Simon Wallace. Simon also recorded and co-produced the album.
‘I DARE YOU!’ is a collaboration of some great musical talent resulting in outstanding interpretations of recordings with a taste of the old and the new.
Festivals played by Blue Harlem include:
- Dubai International Film Festival
- Bath Fringe Festival,
- Ghentbrugge (Belgium)
- Molde (Norway) International Jazz Festival
- Lille (France) 'Seven Nights to Blues' Festival
- Coventry 'Godiva' Festival
- Burnley Blues Festival
- Upton-upon-Severn Blues Festival
- Soho International Jazz Festival
- West Wales International Jazz Festival,
- Goodwood Festival of Speed
- Goodwood Revival
- Aberystwyth Jazz Festival
- Dresden European Film Festival
- Other festivals include: Brecon, Bures, Chichester, Coventry, Colne, Gloucester, Guisborough, Scarborough and Salisbury.
Corporate Clients include:
- Porche UK
- Wilkinson
- The Prince's Trust
- Blackberry
- B.T.
- The Liberal Party
- Diesel Clothing
- The R.A.C.
- Bales Travel
- The T.U.C.
- Michael Ashe Chambers
- Bulgari Jewellery
- Chantry Vellacott
- Accenture
- Anderson Norton Design
- Ascot Racecourse
- BBC World Service
- Cannon UK
- Euro Week
- i-Level
- JLT Risk Solutions
- Kent Business Awards
- Northcliffe Newspapers
- Oracle
- P&O
- Port of London Authority
- Sheppard Robson
- Slade School of Fine Art
- Spectrum
- Sportsbreal Ltd.
- Sussex Business Awards
The band are regulars at many of London's top night spots, such as the Pigalle Club, Jitterbugs and the Volupte Lounge. They have an enviable reputation as a party band, having played at 100s of venues across the UK from the Grand Hotel, Brighton to Meikleour Castle, Perthshire. They have been invited on 3 separate occasions to perform at Highgrove House charity balls for the ´Prince´s Trust´.