Claire began
singing aged 6 joining her first school choir and
hasn't stopped since! Having been classically
trained as a teenager Claire moved from Opera to
Rock, to pop to soul and funk. Putting bands
together at University as well as songwriting,
recording and doing session work She has been
singing in the area of Norwich for 10 years as part
of a duo and then a very busy function band and is
so passionate about music. She has lots of
experience at function band gigs, weddings, parties,
pubs and clubs she will endeavour to get you all on
the dancefloor! Soul music is her biggest influence
and her love for it is evident in her performances.
She will do whatever she can to make your wedding
special happily going the extra mile.
Josie has
been around on the Norwich music scene for 7 years.
Backing Emma Hall for over 4 years and the lead in
rock band, Tendahooks...Passionate about her singing
she adds so much fun to the band with a great voice
and pro tambourine skills!
Andy has been
playing bass for nearly 20 years with experience
across a wide variety of different musical styles.
Originally establishing himself on bass guitar for
Norwich funk band The Persuaders in the early 1990’s
Andy quickly developed interests in jazz and
improvisational music, this lead him to take up
double bass to better develop swing and a more
organic approach. Nowadays Andy is equally at home
on electric and double bass and works mainly as an
in-demand sideman for live performance and
recording. As well as the Claire Barker Band Andy’s
current projects include The Paul Hill Trio, the
Eddie Seals Band and the Ben Brown Quartet. Andy
has played with many of the UK’s leading Jazz and
Funk artists and has performed at both the London
and Cheltenham International Jazz Festivals.
Andy played
for 20 years in and around the London music scene
with a number of London’s top blues, soul and
country bands, playing on two award winning CDs on
the way. This resulted in regular appearances at
the famous 100 Club in Oxford Street, music festival
appearances around Europe and Scandinavia as well as
UK TV and Radio work. Since relocating with his
family to Norfolk Andy continues to perform live in
addition to music production and recording in his
home studio.
John was
bought a guitar at the age of nine, but decided to
really learn to play after seeing Jimi Hendrix on a
1960's television music show.
At seventeen he supported the Nashville Teens, who
are known for their version of ‘Tobacco Road’, since
when he has played with and supported the Kinks,
Paul Young, Joe Jackson, Eddie Floyd ('Knock On
Wood'), members of Madness and the Specials among
others.
Touring and playing professionally during the
80's, he played live sessions on Radio 1 and at
venues during the Cannes Film Festival, gained a
recording and publishing deal with CBS (now Sony
Music), and supported mod band Secret Affair on tour
all over the U.K.
Simon's
obsession with percussion began at the age of six
when he was chosen to play maracas in a school
concert - apparently he was the only one in my class
able to hold a steady rhythm. Upon moving to Norfolk
when he was eight, he got his first real drums and
began drum lessons with the late Angus Honeyman and
then Colin Brady. At the age of 18, he turned
professional, and also began teaching. Since
then, he has done well over 1,000 gigs with many
different groups including orchestras, pop, rock,
brass, silver and blues bands, jazz ensembles,
choirs, function bands, shows, plays, drum
masterclasses, festivals etc. He has gigged across
the UK, Europe, New Zealand and America. He has
supported bands and artists including Walter Trout,
California Guitar Trio, Johnny Winter, Robben Ford,
Blue Oyster Cult, Eric Sardinas, Gary Moore, Devon
Allman, Jon Cleary, Aynsley Lister, and many more.
Festival appearances include Glastonbury Festival,
G-Taranaki (New Zealand), High Voltage, Colne Blues
Festival, Burnley Blues Festival, Blues On The Farm,
Bedford Rhythm Festival, Newark Blues Festival and
many more.
Simon has played on numerous demos and projects for
bands and artists and have recorded at studios in
the UK, America and Europe including Ardent Studios,
Memphis, Tennessee and BBC Maida Vale Studios,
London.
In September 2010 he was thrilled to be voted "Best
British Blues Drummer" at the British Blues Awards
2010.
Video footage of The Claire Barker Band
Nice People Productions are the UK's leading
Party Band / Tribute / Lookalike / Soundalike Entertainment Agency based in East Anglia,
Most important to you the client is that we are careful in placing
Entertainment that match your requirements, be it guided by budget or
Quality.
Nice People Productions are main suppliers to and recommended by
Holiday Inn Norwich Airport.
We are an HONEST Entertainment Agency, We like to make your
"Booking of Professional Entertainment Experience", as stress free as possible.
We supply Free of Charge a Wedding Budget Planner for Excel if you book your
wedding entertainment through Nice People Productions.
We are what it says on the tin..............Nice People to do business with.
Our clients, both private and corporate
include:- hotels and hotel chains, e.g Holiday Inn, Hilton,
De Vere,
Swan
and Elizabeth Hotels, private individuals, marketing and
promotion companies,
blue chip organisations, nightclubs, cruise ships,
stately homes, exhibition organisers, agents, councils,
theme parks,
national retail outlets, pub companies, haven holidays, bourne leisure,
Mecca Leisure, Park Resorts and many more....... Please always remember..."The sooner you Book the more likely you
are to receive your First Choice"
The Claire Barker Band cover many counties/regions
including
all of the following:-
