James Joseph Music Management presents

VOCAL IMPROVISATION

A fun workshop for all abilities, followed by Concert

“Its my personal understanding that given the right kind of encouragement we can all Sing!  Singing is not learned, its a gift we’re given.
Sometimes that gift may get suppressed through bad teaching or discouraging words. My job is to give you keys to unlock the song within you”

Cleveland Watkiss

Cleveland Watkiss is a British virtuoso vocalist, actor and composer. He was the winner of the London Jazz Awards for Best Vocalist in 2010 and was voted Wire/Guardian Jazz Awards best vocalist for three consecutive years

Watkiss studied voice at the London School of Singing with opera coach Arnold Rose and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He was also one of the co-founders of the vastly influential Jazz Warriors big band. Watkiss was then entered for the Wire/Guardian Jazz Awards and was voted best vocalist for three consecutive years, and was the opening act of choice for two of the world’s greatest female jazz vocalists, Cassandra Wilson and Abbey Lincoln. John Fordham, the Guardian music journalist, described Cleveland as “arriving on the scene with a bang”.

Watkiss has performed with a diverse range of artists from around the world, including: the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, James Taylor Quartet, Abdullah Ibrahim, Stevie Wonder, Patife, Lepaja Symphonic Orchestra, Robbie Williams, Joe Cocker, Bobby McFerrin, The Who and many more.

Watkiss is also a keen music educator, working as a voice instructor for Singup, with workshops in venues/schools, colleges and universities around the UK.