Most influencially The extraordinary vocal talents of Mr Tony Bennett with whom Simon had the great pleasure of spending time with at a 2 hour masterclass in Glasgow in 2005.......the other 2,000 people there thought it was a concert....just a concert!!!
Other major influences have been Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jnr , Mel Torme, Nat King Cole, , Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jnr, Bing Crosby, Mat Munro (a great, great talent), Georgie Fame, Joe Williams, Paul McCartney, Ray Davies, and the music of Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, Rogers and Hart , the lyrics of Johnny Mercer and many many many more....
Sounds Like
Well I guess that's for you all to decide!! but do let us know, love to hear from you all. hopefully we're sounding like us but with obvious stylistic influences from the great names above.
As a Jazz Vocalist for over 25 years, Simon Atkinson has drawn inspiration from the music of the great jazz vocalists and has performed his own interpretations of many classic standards over that time in a wide variety of countries and venues . Now performing an ever increasing number of his own original songs (written with songwriting partner Allan Baillie) he has found that interest and demand for his relaxed cool style of Jazz and Swing vocal has increased steadily over the past years with Simon performing at many and varied venues and events including the 2007 & 2008 GLASTONBURY FESTIVALS.
Following a 7 year period performing overseas, In 2003 Simon returned to the UK and found new success in with individual performances throughout Britain and in France , but most significantly with the superb Veteran Jazz pianist and arranger Allan Baillie and his band The Ben Marcato Trio.
Allan Baillie has performed for over 5 decades with an enormous range of the very best Scottish Jazz musicians as he developed and performed with his 12 piece jazz orchestra in the 1980's and his legendary Al Baillie Trio in the 1990's. He has recorded for the BBC and is now well known all over Scotland for his solo Jazz piano work as well as his performances and arrangement work with The Ben Marcato Trio. Although Allan jokes that Simon "pulled me out of retirement" both Atkinson And Baillie freely admit that their colaboration is the most rewarding of either's career.
following thier appearance at The Ayr Jazz festival in 2004, Scotland's Ayrshire Post described the combo as:
"THE COOLEST VOCAL JAZZ AND SWING PLUS SOME GREAT ORIGINAL SURPRISES!" .
The Trio features and alternates between two exceptionally talented drummers : Scott Mackay, from Scotland who recently reached the final of the 2008 BBC 'Young Jazz Musician of The Year Award' competition and has performed with various acts and musicians around the UK and toured with groups around the World. Bert Craig from Falkirk in Scotland is a welcome addition to the Trio and will also be drumming on numerous gigs with the band in the future. The Glastonbury 2008 performance featured Drummer Stephen Henderson from Ayrshire in Scotland.
The Trio will be working with two outstanding bass players who will rotate, as it were, on future gigs. They are: Iain Harkness and Doug Galbraith.
Following an initial demo recording session in 2005, Simon Atkinson & Allan Baillie concentrated on writing original material - established territory for Baillie, but a new and exciting one for Atkinson having previously pursued a career performing other people's songs.
The result is FLY ME TO THE MOON, an album which features two new songs from the Atkinson/Baillie song writing partnership (WEEKEN IN PARIS , STILL IN LOVE) both with a style that is firmly rooted in a previous era, through to the familiar title track and numerous other Jazz Standards re-worked with Baillie’s unique arrangements (SATIN DOLL, PAPER MOON, THE LADY IS A TRAMP to name a few) The album also features the hauntingly beautiful song by US Singer/ Songwriter James Hurley (WHISPER) and unique re-styling of the classic Beatles song SAW HER STANDING THERE amongst several tracks with a distinctly Jazz/Blues feel.
The future looks bright for the Simon and Allan as they continue to write and arrange new material with a view to future recordings and work through an ever increasing schedule of live performances as Simon Atkinson & The Ben Marcato Trio, and on occasion, as a Duo.
For more information on The Washoose Studio and the Legend that is DR. BONE: http://www.washoose.co.uk/
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Hi SIMON ATKINSON & The Ben Marcato Trio (and friends / und Freunde), please support us and vote for us at... Bitte unterstuetzt uns und votet fuer uns auf...
Hi SIMON ATKINSON & The Ben Marcato Trio, just dropping by to let you know you can download my new song from Beatport - just click on the pic! Peace + Love xx Trudi G
We are finally ready to start promoting my 'I Surrender' single with my album, 'Ella Trip' coming right after -yey!! What d'ya think to the video teaser?
Hi stopping by to say Hi and invite you to a listen of my new minute long version of White Christmas.Thank you for your support and the Best To you always. tim
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