Pizza Express Holborn Presents: 'AYRA' feat Juliet Roberts & Janette Mason

This brand new project is brought to you by Janette Mason (keys) and Juliet Roberts (vocals), two incredible musicians who have come together to create a body of work that amplifies what it is to be a woman in the 21st Century.

They will be joined by a fantastic trio of world class musicians:
Yolanda Charles – Bass (Hans Zimmer, Paul Weller, Laura Mvula)
Nicolas Py - Drums (Gia Ford, Tony Momrelle)
Shanti – Trumpet, cello and percussion (Courtney Pine, Brand New Heavies)

From diverse cultural and musical backgrounds with careers that span the world of pop, jazz, dance and soul, they have written an inspiring set of songs that are emotional, inspiring and uplifting – Nu Soul with a jazz edge and thought provoking lyrics.

AYRA’S Buddhist meaning is spiritual warrior and these two have definitely been musical warriors in their respective fields.

Janette Mason – Keyboards – Composer
Janette is a pianist, composer, arranger, producer and performer.
She toured extensively throughout the 90s with artists such as Oasis, Pulp and Robert Wyatt and was musical director for Jonathan Ross.
She is a sought after arranger and producer and has contributed tracks to Ian Shaw’s Drawn To All Things, and Lea DeLaria’s, The Live Smoke Sessions, which reached the Grammy Ballot.

Juliet Roberts - Vocals – Composer
Blessed with a beautiful and powerful voice, Juliet Roberts is undoubtedly one of the world’s most highly regarded R’n’B and jazz singer songwriters. Widely remembered for her work in the late 80s as lead vocalist with the hugely successful soul-jazz band Working Week, she has been a radio and TV presenter, had a string of top ten hits and has toured worldwide with award winning Denys Baptists and Jazz Jamaica All Stars.

Yolanda Charles - Bass
Yolanda started her career playing for Jimmy Sommerville (The Communards) and quickly became the bass foundation of various groups in the burgeoning ‘acid’ jazz scene of the early 90s including Raw Stylus and Urban Species, swiftly securing her reputation as the ‘ go to’ bass player resulting in a remarkable career as a session musician for the next 30 year.

Nicolas Py – Drums
Hailing from a remote town in northeast France, Nicolas Py began drumming professionally from age 14. Nicolas drums for indie-rock band Spector, pop angel Gia Ford, bass legend Yolanda Charles, soul singer Tony Momrelle and blues musicians Lachy Doley and Felix Rabin. He is also an original member of funk-rock band Second Brain.

Shanti – Trumpet, cello and percussion
Shanti is a versatile multi-instrumentalist and composer.
His professional career took off whilst attending the Guildhall School of Music and Drama when he was the featured soloist with Kenny Wheeler on the CD ‘Walk Softly’. He has played for such bands as Alex Wilson, Tim Garland, Monica Vasconcelos, Snowboy, John Etheridge’s Zappatistas, the Brand New Heavies, Friendly Fires, Courtney Pine and Salsa Celtica.

AYRA PROMO VIDEO

BOOKING £25

* Note: To guarantee reserved London Jazz Meet Up seating bookings must be confirmed in advance.