Preview: Zena James and Arden Hart. Archduke, Sat June 18th

Zena James has written about her first collaboration with keyboardist composer/ producer Arden Hart (above/ photo from ardenhart.com) at the Archduke, SE1 Saturday 18th June. Zena writes:

"The Archduke gig will have great energy. Arden's soulful funk pedigree (Massive Attack, Protect the Beat, his own rapidly-spreading deep funk band Knee Deep) will give an extra groove-laden twist to the originals and jazz/soul choices from Captivated and we'll bring new treatments of rare musical gems from the likes of Nat Cole and Clay Boland plus our own take on the soul sounds of irresistible under-sung modern writers/musicians like Raul Midon."

Arden Hart's biography, from his website, is punchy:

-An early musical genius, Arden went to the Purcell School, The Royal Academy and then rebelled.

-He was scooped up to play keys and trumpet in Take That.

-This early foray into high level musical performance was followed by a stint with world-renowned artists Massive Attack.

-Arden is at home in venues such as the Hollywood Bowl.

-His current sights are set on film music composition for ‘The Saint’ and his solo album.

-You can hear Arden’s amazing keyboard soundscapes on William Orbit’s latest album “My Oracle Lives Uptown”.

Archduke, Saturday 18th June, 7.30-9.30pm.

More at www.zenajames.com

Zena James : Captivated- CD Launch and Prize Draw

Zena James will be launching her second CD Captivated at the Pizza Express Dean Street this Sunday. For LondonJazz newsletter readers, it's also this week's prize draw.

There have been four years between her first album "Tell Me More" and this one. Sound clips from both are HERE. There are clear differences. The voice was lighter in the earlier album, the whole approach more elusive and slightly kittenish. Zena now interprets the words far more directly and emotionally.

Simon Allen and Mike Bradley are on both albums. But the switch in piano player from Geoff Castle to Rob Taggart also means more emphasis, the digging and the grooving are decidedly deeper. I'm still listening to the CD and shall continue to do so- it's (highly enjoyable) work in progress.

Please sign up for the email list if you haven't already, so you can put your name in the hat for the CD, and come on down to see Zena at the Pizza on Sunday.

www.zenajames.com