Bands - PRESENT
John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest
2008 to current
Line up :
John Lees – Guitars & Vocals
Craig Fletcher – Bass , Guitars and Vocals
Kevin Whitehead – Drums and Percussion
Jez Smith – Keyboards and Vocals
In 1997 , classic rock band , Barclay James Harvest, effectively split in 2 . John Lees subsequently teamed up with the band's original keyboard player, Woolly Wolstenholme, to write and record a new album. In 1998 , 2 local musicians , Craig Fletcher and Kev Whitehead were brought in to fill the bass and drum places , since which point John has operated his own version of Barclay James Harvest.
I was invited to join in 2008, originally working alongside Woolly until his tragic death in 2010, since which point I have handled the main keyboard duties on my own.
I've toured extensively with the band and have contributed to the writing and recording of the original album "North" released in 2013 , and appeared on a number of the band's live recordings and video releases.
2023 saw a very busy period of live work for us , with John Lees announcing that 2023 was to be his final year of extensive touring. We hope there will continue to be occasional one off appearances and special opportunities to perform live.
For 2024 , there is a DVD/BlueRay/CD of our Sept 2023 concert with the 80 piece Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra planned for release some time in 2024 and we are currently working to complete another studio album with brand new material.
tHE GUILTY MEN
2022 to current
Line up :
Clive Gregson – Guitars and Vocals
Neil Cossar – Guitars and Vocals
Craig Fletcher – Bass and Vocals
Paul Burgess – Drums
Jez Smith – Keyboards and Vocals
Photo credits: Sara Porter
Writing , recording and soon -to-be playing all original material, there is strong musical heritage and experience in the lineup of The Guilty Men. As a natural progression to Raggedy Ass (see below) , John Lees' Barclay James Harvest bandmate , Craig Fletcher and I continue our musical connection with seasoned musician , singer / songwriter, producer, Clive Gregson
Clive , a 2 time Grammy nominated songwriter, has a wealth of experience and a CV of bands he has played with including Any Trouble, The Richard Thompson Band, Gregson & Collister, Nancy Griffith's Blue Moon Orchestra and as Musical Director for Dennis Loccoriere's Dr Hook show, as well as having beein a prolific session player in Nashville and Houston.
Clive introduced us to an old friend, Neil Cossar , who had been active in the 80s pub rock scene with The Cheaters , who had good success outside of their UK homeland.
On drums , we are joined by Paul Burgess. Paul is probably best known for his long association with 10CC , for whom he has played drums and percussion since their first live gigs in the early 70s , and as a full member following the departure of Kevin Godley and Lol Creme in 1976 . Paul has also played with many other well known acts , including Jethro Tull, Camel, Magna Carta and the Icicle Works
Our debut album, "Invisible Confetti" , is mixed and mastered and we look forward to a release in 2024 followed by some live gigs.
Photo above L-R Paul Burgess, Neil Cossar, Clive Gregson, Craig Fletcher, Jez Smith
Spirit of Smokie (featuring Dean Alan Barton)
2019 to current
Line up :
Dean Barton – Guitars and Lead Vocals
Graham Kearns – Bass and Vocals
Andy Whelan – Lead Guitar and Vocals
Mick Bedford – Drums
Jez Smith (and others) - Keyboards
Performing the many of their greatest hits , the band has a strong association with Smokie.
Dean Barton is the son of Alan Barton who was formerly Smokie’s lead singer from 1986 until his tragic death in a tourbus road traffic accident in 1995.
Andy Whelan has played on Chris Norman's studio albums and co-wrote tracks with Alan Barton, some of which appeared on Smokie albums. Graham Kearns - previously played with Andy Whelan and Alan Silson (former lead guitar and vocals with Smokie after he left Smokie in 1996, in the Alan Silson Band.
In 2008 , a memorial concert for Alan Barton was staged , with his son Dean performing many of Smokie's hits, accompanied by Graham , Andy and Ron Kelly , original drummer of the line up that became Smokie in the 1970s .
Like his father before him, Dean posseses the timbre of voice associated with the classic Smokie sound . Complemented by Andy and Graham's authentic playing style and attention to detail , following the success of the memorial concert, Spirit of Smokie emerged .
With Mick Bedford on drums, the band performs regularly in Germany , Denmark, Poland, Ireland and the UK and , prior to the miltary action there, frequently played in Ukraine and Russia.
I joined them in 2019 and appear with them whenever possible , sharing the keyboard duties with other players when I have other gig commitments.
For 2024, as well as concerts in our usual terrritories , we are also looking forward to playing a series of concerts in April 2024 in the Baltic states, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
Nick Bold Band – George: The Concert
2022 to current
2023 to current Line up :
Nick Bold as George Harrison – Guitars and Lead Vocals
John Sandham – Bass Guitar
Carl Mallinson – Drums and Vocals
Helen Hayhurst – Backing Vocals
Jez Smith - Keyboards and Vocals
A sucessful musican , songwriter and producer since the 1980's , in 2004 , Nick appeared as George Harrison on TV's prime time entertainment show "Stars In Their Eyes" , following which he has performed in the UK, Europe and USA as George, both in his solo persona and as part of a number of Beatles tribute bands .
In early 2022 , I was invited to take part in a number of "George : The Concert" gigs , including memorable shows at the Cavern and at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall as part of the reknowned International Beatles Week Festival , where the band performed George's set from the Bangla Desh concert , and were joined on stage by Joey Molland from Badfinger , who played at the original concert.
The "George - The Concert " shows feature songs written, recorded or performed by George throughout his career, from the Beatles, through his solo career and his collaborations with Ringo Starr and The Travelling Wilberrys
There was a line-up change in 2023 when original bass player, Mike Collinge, decided he wanted to cease doing live work and concentrate on recording , and was replaced by Stockport based John Sandham.
The band has several concerts lined up for 2024
TIN TIN
1992– current
Current Line Up :
John Wolfenden – Saxes and Flute
Dave Howells – Guitar and Vocals
John Cellario – Bass
Pete Bradbury – Drums
Jez Smith – Keyboards and Vocals
Former members :
Alan Cunningham (drums),
Donna Dukes (Lead Vocals),
Craig Fletcher (Bass),
Ian Travis (Percussion),
Kevin Whitehead (Drums)
Formed in the early 1990s as a vehicle to play more jazz influenced and musically stretching material . The original line up, pictured above, predominently covered instrumental material from the music back catalogue of world class musicians like David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour , Robben Ford, The Rippingtons, Weather Report, etc...
Recognising the need to appear to a wider audience, the band was enhanced by introducing the outstanding vocals of Donna Dukes and widened the material to include tracks by amongst others, Chaka Khan, Oleta Adams , Randy Crawford and Al Jarreau.
Donna and her husband , original drummer Alan Cunningham, moved to Dubai in the late 1990's since when Tin Tin has had several lengthy periods of inactivity but the current line up still gets together on an occasional basis to sharpen up their chops !
www.tintinsouljazz.wixsite.com/home
Bands - Previous
Raggedy Ass
2019 – 2021
Line Up :
Clive Gregson – Guitars and Lead Vocals
Craig Fletcher – Bass and Vocals
Kevin Whitehead – Drums and Vocals
Jez Smith – Keyboards and Vocals
Photo credits: Sara Porter
Raggedy Ass was formed as a vehicle to present some of Clive Gregson's original songs in a band format.
Clive and I went to the same school , although are a couple of years apart, but I had always taken an interest in his career. We reconnected when I saw he was back in the UK and doing a solo gig locally. From there we kept in touch and he approached me about the Raggedy Ass project.
I recruited 2 of my John Lees' Barclay James Harvest band mates and we did a couple of concerts but the pandemic put a halt to proceedings and when a resumption was possible , it morphed into the Guilty Men .
Baktrak
1982 – 1987
Line up:
Dave Howells – Guitar and Vocals
Ken Anders – Bass and Vocals
Neil Reading – Drums and Vocals
Jez Smith – Keyboards and Vocals
After the breakup of Tapestry, (see below) Jez and Dave Howells joined forces with 2 of Jez's former bandmates in Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders , Ken Anders (bass and vocals) and Neil Reading (drums and vocals) .
Playing a repertoire of hits from the '50's and the '60's , the band forged a great reputation in the North West of England for it's powerful sound, strong rhythm section, intricate musicianship and featured 3 part vocal harmonies .
After a 5 year stint together, the individual band members decided to move on to other challenges. Dave and Jez were soon to join forces again in Tin Tin. (see above)
Pictured L-R : Jez Smith (Keyboards & Vocs), Neil Reading (Drums & Vocs), Dave Howells (Guitar & Vocs), Ken Anders (Bass & Vocs)
Tapestry
1981 – 1982
Line Up:
Dave Howells - Guitar and Vocals
Jack Shaunessy – Bass and Vocals
Wilf Dalton – Sax , Flute and Clarinet
Jez Smith – Keyboards and Vocals
Brian Pearson / Pete Bradbury / Mick Gilbourne - Drums
In late 1981, I was involved in the formation of Tapestry , a 5 piece band playing the North West cabaret circuit. The band had a strong musical line up featuring the sax playing of Wilf Dalton and lead guitar and soulful vocals of Dave Howells. Jack Shaunessy handled bass duties and vocals and original drummer , Brian Pearson, had a couple of stints in the band along with Pete Bradbury , who later was the driving force behind Stax of Soul, and Mick Gilbourne , formerly with highly rated local band "Kicks" .
The band eventually broke up when Jack departed to join Pete in a residency gig that offered less travelling. Jez and Dave subsequently formed Baktrak - see above.
Pictured L-R : Wilf Dalton (Saxes), Pete Bradbury (Drums) , Dave Howells (Guitar & Vocs), Jez Smith (Keyboards & Vocs), Jack Shaunessy (Bass & Vocs)
Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders
1978 – 1980
Line Up:
Wayne Fontana – Lead Vocals
Ken Anders – Bass and Vocals
Neil Reading – Drums and Vocals
Kevin Wood – Rhythm Guitar and Vocals
Dave Lowarch – Lead Guitar
Jez Smith – Keyboards and Vocals
Wayne Fontana had had chart hits in the 1960's both with the Mindbenders and as a solo artist. The Mindbenders worked separately for a few years but eventually they folded, with Eric Stewart going on to great success with 10cc
.
Wayne was backed by various line-ups in the 1970s and I came along in 1978 when they wanted to bring keyboards into the lineup.
The next 3 years were great fun as well as being a great educaton in the art of being in a tight band.
We did tours with other bands from the 60's including Gerry & the Pacemakers, The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Merseybeats, The Fourmost , Dave Berry and the Cruisers , Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas etc... as well as gigging extensively on our own and recording new material .
It was a thoroughly enjoyable few years but came to a close when Wayne was offered a financially rewarding opportunity in Gibralter, which only required the services of Ken and Dave , rather than the whole band. Inevitably, we all drifted in different directions although some of us emerged to play again in different bands at a later stage.
Pictured . Back row L-R :- Dave Lowarch (Lead Guitar), Jez Smith (Keyboards & Vocs), Ken Anders (Bass & Vocs), Neil Reading (Drums & Vocs). Front row :- Wayne Fontana , Kevin Wood (Rhythm Guitar & Vocs)
Art Nouveau
1977 – 1978
Line Up:
Terry Welsh – Bass and Vocals
Marie Smith – Lead Vocals
Roy Rogers - Drums & Vocals
Jez Smith – Keyboards and Vocals
Also Phil Platt – Guitar and Vocals
Art Nouveau was formed in the late 1960's , predominently playing covers in the Manchester music scene. Over time the lineup changed significantly and the band went in a more softer cabaret direction. In 1974 they got to the grand final of the TV talent show "New Faces"
By 1978, they had further line-up changes , but the presence of founder member Terry Welsh remained. In 1977 , I answered an advert in the Manchester Evening News for a band seeking a keyboard player for work in New Zealand. I was given the job and quit my banking day job . The New Zealand job fell through but we did end up working for 4 months in Dubai , which in 1978 was a very different place to what it is now.
At the end of our contract, we returned to the UK and worked the cabaret scene for a couple of months. The Dubai work was quite lucrative and the rest of the band wanted to return but I wanted to try and further my career in the UK, so I left and joined Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders