I always like to keep my finger on the popular music pulse, so I try to keep the set as fresh as possible with the latest chart hits like “American Boy” by Estelle and the brilliant “Mercy” by Duffy. Growing up I was always into Motown and soul artists like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Luther Van Dross. So together I have created a set full of new hits and old classics which has EVERYONE up to dance.
The Band
6 years ago now pianist Pete Watson, bass player Jack Stevens and I put our heads together to form the RnB/Soul/Pop/Disco cover band which started out as a four piece with drummer Nigel Williams. Then there is the 5 piece with Mark Beany on guitar or with James Cruickshank on Sax. The 4 and 5 piece has performed at many weddings and corporate events all over the UK. If you want to come and see us perform publicly we have residencies at Knutsford Wine Bar, Granville’s in Stone, Wilmslow Wine Bar and Saracens’ Head Ormskirk. Just email me for details or check the Toni Live section.
The Backing Singers/Rapper
Last summer The Toni James Band was asked to perform in the Arena in Singapore as an 8 piece band. So I added Samantha Sanderson, Scarlett Rutherford and Tim Mvula as my 3 sexy backing singers. Tim is a star with amazing stage presence, he joins me up front doing the commercial raps in songs like "Crazy In Love", “Umbrella” and “American Boy” becoming my very own Jay-Z/Kanye West, this added a new dimension to the band and allowed us to tackle songs we’ve never been able to do before.
The Horns
This year I had the horn parts arranged by trumpet player, writer and composer Steve Parry who last year played his biggest gig to date with Corrine Bailey Rae at Live Aid! For The Toni James Band Steve is joined by James Cruickshank on Baritone Sax, Marco Bernardis on Sax then a session Trombonist which makes our band either a 7 piece with 2 horns or 9 piece with the 4 parts section. This summer the 8 piece performed at Lancashire Cricket Club for KPMG Summer Ball, at The Queens Hotel in Chester for The Best Western Annual Conference and The wedding of Danny Fox who owns the prestigious chain of Bars/restaurants “The Living Room” and at Thornton Manor and The Hilbark on the Wirral.
The Big Band
Put the horns and the backing singers together and we have one hell of a band! But it doesn’t end there- Add Paul Walsham on percussion and even an 8 piece string section and we can create anything from a 4 piece to a 20 piece band. Throw in a couple of show dancers too and you have the ultimate party band!
We have over 100 strong repertoire. Here is an example set....
The Set
Set 1
1. Rehab.
2. This Love
3. Umbrella
4. American Boy.
5. Mercy.
6. Superstar.
7. Tears Dry On Their Own into Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.
8. We Are Family.
9. Street Life.
10. Sir Duke.
Set 2
1. Valerie
2. Take Your Mamma Out
3. Shackles
4. Sexy Back into Grove Jet
5. Crazy In Love
6. Superstition
7. Never Too Much
8. 9 to 5
9. Blame on the Boogie
10. Ain’t No Body
Extras- Somebody else’s guy
* Please note.. If you like pop, soul and disco but you also like a bit jazz then we can combine the two styles together in one gig. A more of a jazzier first set then a funky shake ya ass get everyone up dancing second set.
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