Overview

Here are some great acts for you - watch this space for more coming up....

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Programme
  • “New Generation” THE DAVINCI BAND, TRINA & IL-HWA ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ENSEMBLE CHOIR & DANCERS
  • “Simple Symphony” by the BRITTEN ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ENSEMBLE
  • “Ode To Joy” by the AUSTRIAN CHOIR & ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ENSEMBLE
  • “You Raised Me Up” STEVE BALSAMO, OLA ONABULE, AUSTRIAN CHOIR & ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ENSEMBLE
  • I Belive in Love, Long Hard Road, The Storys (STEVE BALSAMO)
  • FREE-STYLE Football Display by JOHN FARNWORTH
  • DAWUD WHARNSBY
  • Break Dancing by the WAIT TEAM
  • THE PEACEMAKERS Beatles tribute 8 Song Medley Swinging Sixties theme with  SIMON & MO UK & US Champion Twist & Jive Dancers
  • GPF Video
  • INTRODUCTORY REMARKS INTERNATIONAL STATESMAN
  • Main Speaker:  DR. PRESTON MOON
  • GPF Awards Presented
  • PATTI BOULAYE
  • OLA ONABULE & BAND SET
  • FINALE (GPF PEACE ANTHEM)
 

Ola Onabule

 
Ola Onabule

Arguably one of the finest Soul Jazz singer songwriters of his generation, Ola was signed very briefly to Elektra, but chose the independent route in order to define himself as an artist.  Ola's music encompasses his African roots as well as the soul, jazz and funk of the music he heard in his childhood.  He possesses a four and a half octave range voice that capitavates his audiences with its sheer range and power and shows that are full of passion, joy and comedy and an ability to connect with his audience that is simply breathtaking.  Ola has performed with some of America's finest soul and jazz artists including Diane Reeves, Gladys Knight, Al Jarreau, Patti Labelle, Roberta Flack, Joe Zawinul, Natalie Cole, and Roy Hargrove. He was also chosen as the Sole performer at David and Victoria Beckham’s wedding.

Ola's last album, THE DEVOURED MAN has taken him on tour dates to theatres and Jazz festivals across the Europe and the US. Recently, he performed with the WDR Big Band at the Cologne Philharmonic Concert Hall and the Zeche Zollverein venue in Essen, Germany - this, just a few days after five sell out shows at the world famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz venue in London. In the USA he has performed at Joe's Public Theatre, New York, as well as the Blue Note and the Kennedy Center in Washington.

Ola will soon be performing live on German TV at the Leverkusen Jazz Festival and he will also be featured on MTV Live at The Warsaw Jazz Jamboree Festival in Poland. For more information please check out www.olasmusic.com and www.myspace.com/olaonabule

The Royal Philharmonic Ensemble

 
 The Ensemble is comprised of players from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - one of Britain's leading orchestras.

Patron: HRH The Duke of York

Music Director: Daniele Gatti

Founded in 1946 by Sir Thomas Beecham, with his vision of bringing world-class performances of the greatest music written to the length of the country, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra continues to maintain Beecham’s legacy by offering audiences in the UK and abroad the highest possible standards of music-making, accompanied by some of the most acclaimed artists of the day.

Go here to find out more

 Patti Boulaye

 
 Patti is a Governor of BADA the famous drama academy and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA). Patti was trained as an actress at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In May 2005 Patti produced and starred in the initiation production of her self-penned dance Musical “Patti Boulaye’s SUN DANCE” which ran for a very successful six week season in London at the Hackney Empire. The critically acclaimed production is now in preparation for a European tour before coming into the West End. The Production album, Patti’s ninth, was released on First Night Records in conjunction with the show production.

In September 2006 Patti interrupted her work as Director and Founder of the Charity Support for Africa and touring with SUN DANCE to star in “Music on Fire” the fireworks Proms at Sandhurst. In January 2004, Patti produced and released her 8th Album, the first of her own music, entitled “In His Kingdom”. This was Patti’s first “Gospel album. Also that year the Musical/Dance show “Patti Boulaye’s SUN DANCE”, written by Patti was in pre-production to be staged by Patti’s own company. In May 2004 Patti organised the successful “Scotland Reaching Out for Africa” at the Clyde Auditorium in aid of her charity Support for Africa. Patti is the founder and President of Support For Africa (SFA), a registered charity which builds clinics for the prevention of HIV/AIDS in Africa (www.supportforafrica.org). Three clinics have been opened from funds raised by Patti and a fourth is being sponsored by UNITE Group PLC and will open this November 2008. Patti organised and presented her second Reaching Out for Africa concert at the Royal Albert Hall in September 2007 (Football Reaching out for Africa) in which she starred with a host of stars including Didier Drodba and raised sufficient fund for two more SFA Clinics. This charity has been Patti’s main focus in recent years, but she continues to advance her career as an artiste.

During June 2003 Patti starred in “Beautiful & Damned” at the Yvonne Arneau Theatre in Guildford. Patti and the spectacular musical received rave reviews. In August, as a guest of Michael Jackson, Patti attended and sang at his 45th Birthday Celebrations in LA.

On the 10th March 2002, Patti presented and organised the first sell-out event “Reaching Out For Africa” produced by Sir Michael Parker KCVO CBE at the Royal Albert Hall, starring Sir Cliff Richard, Gabrielle, Uri Geller, Patti herself and BONEY M, amongst others and 3,000 Gospel singers. The event was supported by Michael Portillo, Frederick Forsyth, Iain Duncan Smith, Paul Boateng and the new Miss World. The event raised funds for “Support for Africa”, a Charity, of which Patti is the Founder and President, which she formed in 2001 for the alleviation of HIV/AIDS in Africa. The Charity is building clinics all over Africa for the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS and Malaria. The first two Clinics are open and the project for the third clinic will be launched at the House of Lords on the 20th April 2006 hosted by the charity’s patron The Rt. Hon. Lord Greville of Braunstne QC.

As a member of the official Queen’s Golden Jubilee Entertainment Committee, Patti got together 5000 strong gospel choir for the 4th June Jubilee procession in front of HM the Queen. She also wrote a song “Jubilee Song (Celebrate Good News)” as a tribute, which enabled the 5000 singers to dance and sing during the Procession up The Mall. 

On the 14th of June 2002, Patti arranged for singer Michael Jackson to give an appearance to raise funds for Support For Africa during his last visit to the UK.  

Patti is a Founder Member of the Patron’s (Prince Michael of Kent) Enterprise Club for GENESIS the facilitator organisation for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the promotion of Small Business, Patron of the Eastside Educational Trust and Patron of Women into Business. Patti is a well-known speaker on the fund raising circuit for numerous charities.

Patti’s fifth Album was released in conjunction with the screening of her own TV series “The Patti Boulaye Show” on UK Channel 4, which she co-produced.

Patti went to Jordan where she provided the cabaret for HRH Prince Hassan’s 50th Birthday and birthday celebrations for HRH Prince Rashid and HRH Princess Sarwat, Patti was also invited by the Prince to attend the wedding of Princess Rahma.  The democratically elected President of Nigeria requested she sing at his inauguration celebration.

Check out www.pattiboulaye.com

Steve Balsamo

 
 

Steve Balsamo shot to prominence in 1997 after playing Jesus to great critical acclaim in the West End revival of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar‘. After winning a Variety Club Award for the role, Steve decided to return to his first love, writing and performing his own music, and signed to Columbia Records soon after. In 2002 he released his debut album ‘All I Am’ which reached the top 40 in the UK.

Steve returned to the stage in the French phenomena ‘Notre Dame De Paris’, and ‘Poe - More Tales Of Mystery and Imagination‘, a new musical by Alan Parsons Project writer Eric Woolfson. Based on the life and work of Edgar Alan Poe, the show had it’s world premier at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in 2003, and features the powerful song ’Immortal’.

In 2004, Steve formed ‘The Storys’, a West Coast influenced harmony country-rock band. Their highly acclaimed debut album came to the attention of Elton John who after publicly declaring it was ’Fantastic!’, personally called Steve and invited the band to tour Europe with him-twice! The band have also toured and played with the likes of Joe Cocker, Katie Melua, Celine Dion, Santana, Runrig, Sinead O’Connor, Daniel Lanois, Mario Frangoulis and Tom Jones to name-drop but a few.

 Their songs have been featured in the US teen drama ’One Tree Hill’, and the new hit Brit-flick ‘The Bank Job’, in which they make a cameo appearance playing two of their own songs.
‘The Storys’ released their new album ‘Town Beyond The Trees’ in the UK in 2008, again to great reviews.

Aside from his work with the band, Steve is a prolific songwriter, having scored hits in Europe and Australia, with artists as diverse as Meatloaf, Anthony Callea, Jonathon Cerrada and Slash of Guns and Roses fame.

Steve lives in Swansea, Wales with his partner, beautiful daughter Isabella and a three legged cat.

Check out Steve Balsamo's fansite

 Dawud Wharnsby

 
Dawyd Warnsby is a Canadian singer, songwriter and musician. In 2003, he recorded the popular album, Prophet’s Hands, featuring produc¬er and peace activist Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens). In recent years Dawud has been seen regularly on tour in Canada and the United Kingdom with world-beat percussion ensemble, The Fletcher Valve Drummers. Wharnsby heads the independ¬ent music label Enter Into Peace and as a respected musical performer and social activist, he travels extensively throughout the world to perform and to lecture at schools and universities with his inspirational talks.

Enter into Peace
Enter Into Peace was established in Canada, February of 1996. The philosophy of Enter Into Peace can be summed up best through its mission statement, "Bridging nations and tribes through education and the arts." More than just a publisher of music, photography, poetry and art, Enter into Peace is a platform for expression and communication. The Enter Into Peace network of production houses and artists is world-wide. Album tracking has occurred in several countries (including Canada, South Africa, The United Kingdom, Pakistan and in numerous states of the USA) at the hands of many diverse engineers, each managing their own private recording studios. Session musicians of all genders, faiths, cultures, countries and spectrums of musical accomplishment have been welcomed into production - from Grammy and Juno Award winning artists, to child poets seeking a soapbox for songs they've written at school (one of the most popular songs published through Enter Into Peace which has made its way into school curriculum’s world-wide, was written by a four year old boy!).

Royalties generated through projects produced by Dawud Wharnsby and Enter Into Peace are put directly back into further production, re-directed to certain participating artists and utilized to support educational projects for children. For further information go to www.enterintopeace.com

 Davinci's Band

 
 

The Davinci's are a multi-cultural group made up of Scottish born black soul/rock frontman, Ian Saint-John, with Danish pianist, Casper Christensen, and Chinese/Vietnamese British guitarist, Derek Yau.

The diverse background of each member brings a variety of influences into the Davinci's melting pot. They take elements of Soul, Blues, Jazz, Rock, Classical and contemporary music, to create an epic sound that has a broad appeal. Their tracks are meaningful, beautifully structured, and memorable, Davinci's Band really make an impact!

Having formed just a little under two years ago, Davinci's band, have already performed at some impressive venues including China White's, Cuckoo, Sound, and the Commonwealth palace. This September Davinci's are performing at their first international music festival in Geneva, Switzerland. As well as headlining a Charity event for the Simon Wiesenthal centers, who aim to promote tolerance worldwide.

Check out their MySpace page

 Simon & Mo

 
 Swing DanceSimon Selmon has choreographed and performed for stage, film, video and television and written two books on Swing dancing. He is a UK and American dance champion and has been featured in numerous newspapers and magazines. He founded the London Swing Dance Society in 1986, the UK's biggest and longest running swing dance club, as well as the famous Stompin' Swing Nights at London's legendary 100 Club.

The Sugar Foot Stompers, founded by Simon Selmon in 1991, is the performance dance group of the London Swing Dance Society.  Led by Simon, they bring to life the exciting dances from the 1920's to the 1960's.  Their repertoire includes the Charleston, Big Apple, Shim Sham, the Lindy Hop, all mixed in with dances from the 1960s such as the Madison, Hand Jive and the Twist!  The Sugarfoot Stompers have worked with the best swing and big bands in the UK, including: the BBC Big Band, the Herb Miller Big Band, the Palm Court Theatre Orchestra, the Ray Gelato Giants, King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys and many more.  The Sugar Foot Stompers have performed throughout the United Kingdom at Festivals, public and private functions, and charity events.  Their energetic performances always create a fun and special atmosphere wherever they perform.

Check out the London Swing Dance Society

 David Eaton

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With triumphs in music capitals from New York to Paris to Moscow, David Eaton has established a reputation as one of his generation's most accomplished musicians. Since assuming the position of music director of the New York City Symphony in 1985, Mr. Eaton has been instrumental in restoring the orchestra's reputation as one of New York's most important cultural institutions. He also served as conductor of the Goldman Memorial Band and led that historic ensemble in its summer concert series in New York City from 1998 to 2000.

In addition to leading the New York City Symphony in its highly acclaimed Lincoln Center concert series at Alice Tully Hall, Mr. Eaton has conducted the ensemble in numerous concerts at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, the Manhattan Center, Merkin Hall, Harlem's Apollo Theater, the United Nations and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. After his Carnegie Hall debut, the New York Daily News hailed the New York City Symphony as "one of America's finest orchestras."

He performed and recorded as a guest conductor with orchestras in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, Israel, Central and South America, Russia and Ukraine.

In addition to his conducting career he has been an active composer, arranger and producer with forty original compositions to his credit. Two of his compositions, “Fantasie for Violin, Cello, Piano and Strings” and his “Three Miniatures for Chamber Orchestra,” were performed at Carnegie Hall by the New York City Symphony under his direction. His most recent composing project, the Cantata for Peace, Halelu is a collaboration with the prominent Israeli vocalist, David D’Or. He conducted the world premiere of the Halelu cantata in Europe in 2007.