Cleveland Watkiss' 50th birthday celebration at the QEH
Post categories: London Jazz Festival, Radio 3, behind the scenes, festival, jazz
|14:26 UK Time, Friday, 20 November 2009
Last night was Cleveland Watkiss' 50th birthday celebration at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Cleveland admitted to the audience that this was the first time he'd ever actually had a birthday party, and what a party it was! He collaborated with artists including Bonnie Greer, Byron Wallen, Goldie, Nikki Yeoh, Talvin Singh, Jason Rebello, Simon Purcell, Julian Joseph, Mark Mondesir, Shaney Forbes, his brother Trevor Watkis, and the legendary Sheila Jordan, who had just celebrated her 81st birthday. The Green Room at the QEH was absolutely teeming with jazz royalty - I felt rather star-struck. Pictured are some of the pianists striking an air piano pose.
As for the concert, it's impossible to pick out musical highlights as there were so many, so I'll just mention that Cleveland does a rather cruel but hilarious impersonation of Simon Purcell! I also have to say that he looks absolutely incredible for his 50 years - I'd have thought he was about 35.
Comment number 1.
At 23:22 21st Nov 2009, Chris Montgomery wrote:Hello Samara,
my name is Chris Montgomery and I see that you wrote something about the Cleveland Watkiss Birthday Concert the other night. I was wondering if you would like to see or use any of the photos that I took of the event.
Link:
https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/10379922_NE7fG/1/718737763_buC67
Regards,
Chris
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