Ventnor Blog

C LEVEL feat. Southend’s finest funk fusion band

This fabulous hard driving band are:

Tony Sandeman who has been playing the Guitar since he was 10 years old and throughout his long career in music has played many of the varied styles of music that the guitar now encompasses. Although he has been heavily involved with many of the American Soul artists on their frequent visits to the UK (Ben-E-King, Martha Reeves, The Detroit Emeralds, Freda Payne) his consistent love has been for jazz music. He has played in many countries in Europe and worldwide and has been featured on television and radio. He is currently busy with The Tony Sandeman Quintet, the fabulous Southend fusion band C level that features the mercurial talents of Gary Plumley (Saxes). In addition Tony finds time to be the featured guitarist in some of the best rock & blues bands in Essex including Chalice, The Basie Brothers and many more. He has also gained a reputation as being one of the finest jazz educators in the Southeast, and was responsible for the immensely popular Easter Jazz courses that ran in Southend for ten years.

Bass player Andy Staples is a regular contributor to Bass Player and Rhythm magazines writing articles and playing for both these publications. He also is bass player with The Tony Sandeman Trio.

Marc Cecil is one of the UK’s most versatile drummers currently working for numerous diverse bands such as the Sheena Davis Quartet, The Tony Sandeman Trio and Robin Jones’ Latin band. He regularly plays in some of the finest shows in the West End.

Sam Edwards on keyboards joins the band since the tragic death of Pete Jacobsen in 2002 and although initially daunted by the task of filling such a huge pair of boots has managed to bring his own inventive and flawless style to the band. He also works with his partner, the excellent jazz singer Claire Harper and with legendary fusion guitarist Guthrie Govan.

Gary Plumley on the saxophone, our own Isle of Wight adopted jazz son and Multi talented composer and arranger has played and recorded worldwide with International stars such as George Michael, The Stereophonics, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Gary Barlow, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas, Ronnie Scott, Shakatak, Swing Out Sister, George McCrea, Chesney Hawkes, Nik Kershaw, The Gypsy Kings, Lisa Stansfield, The Cure, Sheila Ferguson, The James Taylor Quartet, Sax Appeal, Hardlines, Terry Callier and Snowboy And The Latin Section.

Tickets in Advance at £12.50. (£15.00 on the door subject to availability).
Telephone 01983 856206 for bookings

Doors Open 7.00pm … performance starts at 8.30pm.

Events, Music