My father was a pianist ,so music has always played a big part in my life .I left school in 1979 and took various jobs whilst learning my trade as a drummer, mostly in pubs and clubs in the East End area of London. I had several teachers, they were Len Livesey ,Eddie Freeborn,Joe Gallivan and mainly Bob Armstrong with whom i spent most of my tuition time between 1981 to 1984.
I joined Clem Curtis and The Foundations in 1989 and after many years of gigs and tours and TV show appearances worldwide,i'm still in the band.I have stayed with Clem a long time because he is to my mind one of the best singer/entertainers around and one of lifes real characters and a great friend to me.I also play with a band named Diva ,which is run and fronted by a great singer/entertainer named Cheryl Lucas of 'Sweet Potato Experience' it's a 12 peice band that does corporate functions on a global basis ,with the bulk of the work being in the West End of London ,comprising of some of Londons finest musicians .
Currently i'm also playing in Sophie Hiller's band ,she's a great young r&b singer that i'm sure the world will soon hear.Check out her myspace page.I have had the pleasure of playing with great musicians in many differing genres of music ,live and studio.
I have also played with Artistes like Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine,Jocelyn Brown,Shawn Escoffrey,Limahl of Kajagoogoo,Nona Hendricks of Labelle,Jimmy James and The Vagabonds,Angie Brown,MC Creed,Beverly Skeete lead vocalist of Bill Wymans Rhythm Kings ,Frankie Vaughan,Emmett North Jnr,Mitch Hiller,J C Bentley,Kiki Dee,Roberto Pla,Big Up Jazz to name a few.
The songs on my page were written by Paul Higgs and myself except 'Late Nite Buttercup'which was written by Mc Cauley and D'Arbo for The Foundations as 'Build Me Up Buttercup',we thought it would be fun to do it with this original arrangement to give the song a different slant.And also the song 'Missing Me' which was written by a fantastic singer/sonwriter Anita Kelsey. I think it's a great pop song and i was honoured that she asked me to do a lead vocal on it,it's also my daughter Olivia's favourite tune in the entire Universe. Paul and i have been composing songs as a writing team for the past 15 years ,writing for projects ranging from T.V and albums in all styles of modern music.We are currently writing an album of songs in a kind of 'Steely Dan' style (we're trying anyway!!).The first two tracks on my myspace player are two examples.All instruments were recorded by Paul and myself.I'm singing lead and backing vocals ,drums and perc and everything else is played by Paul except on 'Land Of Make Believe' where we lend the skillful talents of Terry Guitar Lewis and Trevor Newnham on Bass.'Girl Of My Dreams' is the other ditty from that project featuring Paul on piano and trumpet,but he also plays bass and on the song as well (clever git) ' The rap/mc on ''Easier Said Than' Done' was written and performed by MC Creed Godfather of UK Garage.'Peavey Kit Jams' Is just me on kit recorded on an Edirol MP3 Recorder, just messing around with my christmas present.Go to the Band Website to see Paul and myself doing a jazzy rendition of Al Green's 'Let's stay Together'.Hope you enjoy my page.Tada 4 now.
Hi Graham - loved singing with you and the boys in Epping recently - great sound you've got there. Did you get a listen to the CD I made with you, Ben Hackett, Mitch Hiller, Ian Thompson, Paul Higgs and Roger Curphey - "Calling the Shots". What fantastic musicians to have backing me. Hope to come back to Epping again for another go - loads of luv Coralie xx
Even though it's made out of all the left over crap that didn't get used earlier in the week it's still very tasty and hard not to go back for a second helping
Hey Gra, Your version of Let..s stay togeter on YouTube is great! I saw the great Al Green in concert in Stockholm a month ago, it was a magic concert, the best I have ever seen! I hope we get to meet sometime, hopefully together with our great friend Emmett! By the way I like your music alltogether! have you made any CD:s? Cheers from Sweden Pär
Hey! my brother G',all is well! I'm not playing too often but i'm surviving.I was just thinking of you this morning.I do have your photos of you and the new baby on my dresser drawer by my mirror.I hope you and family are fine,E.
WE HAVE FINALLY COMPLETED FOUR ALBUMS FOR OUR FOUNDATION TO HELP THE NEW ORLEANS MUSICIANS IN NEED FEATURING LOUIE BELLSON, PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND, EARL PALMER, HUBERT SUMLIN, LEVON HELM, DR. LONNIE SMITH, JIMMY COBB, CHUCK E. WEISS, JAVON JACKSON, CLEM BURKE, LARRY CAMPBELL, AIRTO MOREIRA, COUGAR & RUBEN ESTRADA, WASHBOARD CHAZ, MIKE WATT, STEVE JORDAN, DANNY 'KOOTCH' KORTCHMAR, JOHN BOUDREAUX, JAMES GADSON, TANMOY BOSE, CLIVE BUNKER, IRA COLEMAN, PETER ERSKINE, JERRY JUMONVILLE, PETE LOCKETT, SANTA DAVIS, JOHNNY VIDACOVICH, SAM CARR, BILL BRUFORD, KEITH CARLOCK, STANTON MOORE, SOUHAIL KASPAR, AFRICAN MUSICIANS, NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES, GOSPEL CHOIRS, CLASSICAL ENSEMBLES, TAP DANCING, LATIN ENSEMBLES, MARDI GRASS INDIANS, STREET MUSICIANS, DJ RE-MIXES, ETC. . . Currently looking for the right record company to release these wonderful gems. Please, help us support thee cradle of modern music!!! Regards, Fabian Jolivet
