Eugene Portman

on piano

Available in various line ups right up to a jazz band in Essex, Kent, Surrey, Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, Dorset and Suffolk.

 

THE VARIOUS LINE UPS

As a jazz pianist Eugene works throughout the UK as both a soloist and a combo player. Here are the various line ups that are available:

 

Solo Jazz Pianist - speaks for itself really - just Eugene!

Jazz Duo - piano and vocals or piano and bass.

Jazz Trio - piano, bass and drums or piano, bass and vocals.

Jazz Quartet - piano, bass, drums and vocals.

Jazz Quintet (full jazz band) - piano, bass, drums, vocals and saxophone.

 

 

THE MUSICIANS USED IN THE VARIOUS LINE UPS

 

Sheila Daniels (vocals)

Sheila Daniels

Eugene's musical encounter with Sheila Daniels was both unexpected and fortuitous. Sheila Daniels met Eugene Portman at a Sussex jazz club in 2007. They decided to meet up again and try a few songs out - the rest is history. Sheila pocesses the most beautiful voice, and has a truly intuitive and original aproach to music she performs.

Sheila's musical career was already firmly established before Eugene came along - but her career has now taken a new turn. Sheila is completely at home backed by both solo piano or a jazz band. Her influences include Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland and more recently Anita Wardell, Amy Winehouse and Nina Ferro.

Here is a sample of Sheila's singing:

The Nearness of You

Embraceable You (live performance)

 

Please visit Sheila's site HERE

 

 

Steve Conway (vocals)

Steve Conway

Steve Conway has been singing professionally for the last fifteen years and has sung at many wedding receptions, private parties and corporate events in Hampshire, Berkshire, London and other areas of the UK. Steve's style is mostly based on material from the Rat Pack Era. I must, however, emphasise that Steve is not a tribute act. His vocal style vocal has been forged from his own love of the great vocalists of the past which include: Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Harry Connick Junior. Although Steve has been influenced by these singers - he pocesses his own distinctive and characteristic sound.

Here is a sample of Steve's singing:

Autumn Leaves

Don't Get Around Much Anymore

 

Please visit Steve's site HERE

Alice Harvey (vocals)

Alice Harvey

Eugene has worked with Alice Harvey for quite a number of years and it was obvious at their first rehearsal that their was something special happening. Alice possesses a magical voice - and knows how to use it to it's full potential. The combination of Eugene's imaginative and sensitive playing combined with Alices natural style and original approach leaves audiences begging for more. Alice's style seems to work well with the larger lineups and is completely at home with a jazz band behind her.

Here is a sample of Alice's singing:

At Last

Let's Do It

 

Please visit Alice's site HERE

 

 

David Edwards (vocals)

David Edwards

Most of David's work has been with jazz pianist Eugene Portman and has been mostly as a duo. However, as there seems to be a forever increasing demand for this genre of music - and for David as a corporate entertainer - the line up now has to be frequently augmented to include "The Eugene Portman Trio".

David's influences have been wide and varied but his main ones have been Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, and Nat King Cole. A lot of the songs included on the repertoire list were recorded by these great jazz singers. However, David manages to put a new slant on them while keeping an easy jazz feel.

Here is a sample of David's singing:

When I Fall In Love

Route 66

 

Please visit David's site HERE

 

Mike Porter-Ward (bass)

Mike Porter-Ward

Michael Porter-Ward has been a professional musician for many years and plays both the double bass and the bass guitar. He has been involved in many genres of music and has worked with many bands, from light orchestras to heavy rock and ranging from duos, trios, quartets, 6 piece jazz bands to big bands. His forte and passion is jazz and has played with some wonderful musicians, including: Harry Connick Jn, Scott Hamilton, Bobby Scott, Jim Mullen and Acker Bilk to name but a few.

Here is a sample of Mikes bass playing and Roy Jackson drumming (shown below):

Polka Dots and Moonbeams (live performance)

I'm Old Fashioned (live performance)

 

Please visit Mike's site HERE

Roy Jackson (drums)

Roy Jackson

Roy Jackson has with many bands from orchestral to funk. However, his main focus has always been jazz and this is the style that Roy has become mostly associated with. Roy has played with the 'Mike Miller Trio', the 'Swing Junkies' and jazz/funk/soul band 'JFS Collective', winning the '2-10fm search for a band' competition in Basingstoke. These days Roy Jackson can be seen playing with 'Back2funk', 'Steve Conway', 'Jazz Junction' and many other jazz ensembles.

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