Afternoon:
15°c
Passengers using the Jubilee line face another six months of weekend closures to allow a botched upgrade to be completed
More...
New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Jack Massarik's rating
Reader rating
Description: The vocalist performs jazz and soul.
Phone: 0845 257 3310
Website: www.fordementia.org.uk
Email: marc@minervaprc.com
Wonderful: Nicola Emmanuelle was relaxed and sang with clarity
Showbiz angels are becoming rarer so let’s hear it for Gillian Geddes, a talented singer-pianist prepared to put her money where her heart is. This former cabaret performer turned promoter last night in a bold bid to preserve the art-form she loves. Her friends think she’s crazy, her advisors feel she’s overpaying her musicians and her bank manager is keeping his fingers crossed — but she’s determined to bring cabaret back to the Knightsbridge room that fostered it for more than 20 years.
Ms Geddes acted swiftly after hearing invitations to hire the venue, which closed when the building changed hands last summer. “I’m doing this because London needs a central home for cabaret,” she said. “I first heard Richard Rodney Bennett here, and US artists like Dave Frishberg and Blossom Dearie, Marion Montgomery, Mose Allison and Larry Adler. Every major capital needs its cabaret venue, a place for intelligent, sophisticated, witty words and music. This is ours, and it should not be allowed to die.”
Gillian argues a good case, as well she might as a successful barrister. She was called to the bar after years of singing in one, as resident at the Pine Bar of the Britannia Hotel in Grosvenor Square.
A few more late-night visitors would have been welcome at Knightsbridge, where Nicola Emmanuelle’s group had to contend with a crowd-sapping combination of cold weather, Ground Zero seventh-anniversary blues and Stevie Wonder playing the 02 Arena. Impervious to all this, she bounded on stage with a song in her heart and her trio at the ready.
A delightful Hackney-born girl whose South African family have stage connections, she’s a crowdpleaser whose sunny personality comes across in her vocals. Her standards (Let’s Face the Music and Dance, I’m Old-Fashioned, Mean to Me) moved from gentleness to power with no visible effort, and her timing was relaxed at every tempo. Her diction was impeccably clear, too, as in Everything Happened to Me, the great Matt Dennis song about always having picnics when it rains and holding parties when the guy upstairs complains.
Behind her, pianist Alex Webb, bassist Gary Crosby and drummer Syemi Di were as impeccable as their snappy tuxedos.
Tammy Weis, 18 Sept. New artist each Thursday until Christmas (08456 027 127, geddesentertainmen
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
I saw Gillian perform on several occaisions at the Churchill Intercontinental in Portman Square, Marble Arch and I was blown away - it's a shame as I understand it that her public perfornmances are now extremely rare. As for the Pizza on the Park season I was delighted to be at the opening night and Nicola Emmanuelle truly deserves the accolades she received - what an amazing voice. I do hope to be able to make several more of these Thursday evenings. All the best in your endeavours Gillian!
- Greg Watts, Stoke Mandeville, UK
I worked with Gillian at Le Meridien in Picadilly ...lots of years ago...she played in the bar...and I played in the restaurant. She is a wonderful singer pianist in her own right! I still work as a singer pianist most nights , but hope to make it down to Pizza on The Park to support Gillian. Pizza is a great venueand Gillian has some great musicians lined up...there need to be more individuals like Gillian in the world....good on you !
- Andrew D. Brewis, Walton on Thames UK
Gillian has put together a fantastic line up for the coming Autumn and Winter and this series of acts should prove to be the start of a major revival of cabaret in London.! Make your Thursdays nights Pizza on the Park jazz nights!
- Neil, Dorking, Surrey
Gillian is a fellow alto (and longstanding friend) in our local Choral Society and we are all thrilled that she has finally realised one of her dreams. We wish her every success and will be there on various nights to give her our full support-hope you jazz fans out there will too!
- Suec, Aylesbury Bucks
