Claire is fortunate to be backed by some of the most accomplished musicians on the local circuit but it is her distinctive voice that listeners are drawn to.
Influences
Alicia Keys, Soul II Soul, Annie Lennox, Adele, Jamie Cullum, Roberta Flack, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday to name a few…
Claire, singer-songwriter and daughter of professional musicians, has three years vocal training and a wealth of experience singing and performing. Her voice has been likened to Roisin Murphy (Moloko), Karen Carpenter, Eva Cassidy and Julie London and her original music to Portishead.
Claire embarked on her most recent musical journey a few years ago singing in the popular local party band Grapevine. Claire then teamed up with fellow Grapevine member John Bromley to form the Phoenix duo and their soulful renditions of mellow classics, jazz standards and heart-felt torch songs from past to present were warmly received at local events.
Phoenix later evolved into what is now The Claire Phoenix Band. Proving even more popular Claire and the band were invited to perform at the bandstand in Godalming in July 2008 as part of the Godalming In The Park series of summer events. Claire was proud to perform at the Mayor of Godalming's Black Tie Ball that helped secure the funds to 'Raise the Roof' on the bandstand in readiness for the 2009 season. Claire and the band will be performing at the bandstand again on 23rd August 2009.
In recent times Claire has rekindled her childhood love of composing songs and after experimenting with her newly acquired keyboard has written The Move Inside. After just a couple of performances of it accompanied by Phoenix bass player Steve Grattan Claire has secured a place in the South England area finals of the Live & Unsigned 2009 competition with that song.
A few words from Claire about her current work:
"I was asked to write a song for the last scene in a film called Organs for Orphans made by students at The University of Creative Arts in Farnham. It is a black comedy, Monty Python in style and the producer wanted a song much like Crazy by Patsy Cline in tempo, sentiment and feel. I have just finished writing and recording the song Crazy For You which you can hear on my player. The film is being entered into festivals this year."
“The Move Inside was inspired by the end of a very long and painful experience in my life and the sensation that a new beginning was possible..when I had thought it would never be.
You’re In Me Now is a 'happy' blues ballad co-written by Steve Grattan and myself.
You Can't Break a Broken Heart is a torch song co-written by
John Bromley and myself.
Thanks for taking time to listen and read…hope to see you soon…keep making music
Claire x”
Pictures courtesy of Andy Benge - www.andybenge.com
Media
BBC Southern Counties Radio/Eagle Radio 96.4
Venues
Princes Hall, Aldershot/Cowdray Park Golf Club/The Georgian Hotel, Haslemere/Godalming Bandstand/The Spice of Life, London/The Hilton Hotel, Cobham/The Bed Bar, Woking/University of Creative Arts, Farnham, The Gurkha Military Museum, Winchester.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to:
Kate Herron and Poppy Solaris at the film making department of The University of Creative Arts in Farnham for their invitation to write a song to be included in Organs For Orphans
It is so exciting to see you are 'guesting' with some illustrious musicians next Thursday in Farnham. I really hope that your evening goes well for you, your audience and for your fellow musicians.
I would particularly have loved to see and hear you perform that evening, but sadly am unable to be there, so, "Good luck, enjoy yourself and I will be with you in spirit."
Sorry about the 'gobbledygook' posting. Don't know what happened there !
The post was just meant to be about the London Gig at the 100 club. Perhaps you could delete it from your 'comments' listings as it spoils your page somewhat ...
Another stunning set tonight at the wine bar in Guildford from you and Steve. ('Fahrenheight 55') I really enjoyed your set and was even more pleased to hear that it was 95% original material. Always good to see you live and I look forward to seeing you perform again soon.
Claire! Thank you so much for bringing an extra bit of sparkle to our night last Friday.. you were fantastic, you and Steve are a great little team and your vocals were just sublime. Lucy and I will be talking about it for weeks!
Take care, best of luck and see you for another one sometime maybe? :)
Claire, thanks again for being there last night! Your sets were brilliant and really added to the evening. Thanks for singing Dreams with me too! See you soon! Catherine and WychWood
Is it just you or will Steve be playing as well on fri? If so he would need to bring an amp with him. If you wanted to bring percussion that would be fine.
I aim to get acts playing around 9.30 so if you could be there a bit before, that would be great.
Once you've found Middle st which has an Alldays shop at the beginning of it The White Horse is the 1st pub on the right opposite a triangle piece of grass.
I'm pretty good thanks, i've been very busy this month too :)
I see you've got nothing posted for next fri (29th May) I run a music night in Shere nr Guildford where i invite a couple of 'Guest Acts' to showcase themselves...
Hi Claire, A big thankyou for accepting The Toniks as a friend. Pop by from time to time and say hi.. If you like the songs these are all available now as a pre-order.
hi claire, how ya doing ? we've just uploaded 4 new tracks from our new ep 'with something amiss'. have a good listen and let us know what you think.... see you in haslemere on 19th may... hope you're well. sid. brassneck.
