Josie Frater
London
“Rousing & original world- jazz- groove”
SOUND....
Josie Frater & Steve Taylor’s original songs & compositions are a global excursion fusing latin, jazz & world beats, with unique vocalese.....
FRATER AND TAYLOR...Originally known as 'the runners'.... Acid jazz folk-flavoured debut album "Phonetic" built a reputation in the late 90's/2000s for blending jazz, funk and folk influences into a vibrant and exhilarating sound. morphing into expanded World Runners
Leading to generous press coverage and performances at Ronnie Scott’s Club, Camden Jazz Café, Glasgow Celtic Connections & Mayfest plus appearances on Jazz FM (featured by Jools Holland, Robbie Vincent) BBC Radio 2, Live TV, BBC London Live and Edinburgh Festival to name a few.
World Runners Blip..
Becoming proud parents of daughter Rosie..as ‘runners’ activity was perhaps at it’s peak, Steve & Josie decided to hit the soft pedal to allow for the natural demands of parenthood! plus balancing both being in-demand session musicians, songwriters & performers in Jazz and world music. the runners was temporarily put on hold.
Steve Taylor Big Band eXpLoSiOn
Projects /Gigs / albums / promotion and session work took centre stage.
with a ‘slight’ band name change, Steve and Josie have chosen to dynamically revamp and regroup AS 'Frater and Taylor'. Having recently performed at Serious London Jazz Festival, Ziggy’s World Jazz Club, Spice Jazz, 606, Ronnie Scott's Club and since 2012 have been curating North London’s Ziggy’s World Jazz Club performing with top artists including, Julie Dexter, Ian Shaw, Sumudu, Mica Paris and Omar mbe and Steve Taylor Big Band eXpLoSiOn.
FRATER AND TAYLOR..MUSE
Steve & Josie’s influences are extensive. inspiration comes from music traditions & styles from around the globe:
citing: Pat Metheny, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Big Band Jazz, Magma, Christian Vander, Dave Matthews Band, Beady Belle, Ella Fitzgerald, Airto Moreira & Flora Purim among their biggest influences.
STEVE TAYLOR
Steve has performed with such Jazz & world music stars as Nitin Sawhney, Maggie Reilly (Mike Oldfield) Ian Shaw, Claire Martin & Gerard Presencer, Been featured artist in UK Drummer mag "Rhythm" and featured artist at London's Ronnie Scott's Jazz club with the Steve Taylor Big Band eXpLoSiOn.
Steve performed with the 80 piece Philharmonia Orchestra directed by film composer Francois Evans at the Royal Festival Hall as well as for The Old Vic's artistic director and Hollywood legend Kevin Spacey plus numerous session & recording projects including stints at world famous Abbey Road Studios..Steve is a passionate and active music educator and session drummer.
“a technician who grooves” Rhythm “Fiery” “Powerhouse drumming”
“Awesome..unmissable” Ronnie Scott’s
JOSIE FRATER
Josie’s collaborations & Credits include:
US jazz trumpet star Randy Brecker,
Steve Taylor Big Band eXpLoSiOn,
singer/ broadcaster Janey Lee Grace
(BBC Radio 2/George Michael),
Brendan Power (Riverdance),
UK jazz sax player Theo Travis, Soul Immigrants plus many media sessions.
Josie Sang in the Royal Festival Hall performance of Leonard Bernsteins’ seminal Mass" – an amazing spectacle of some of Bernsteins’ most challenging music. She is also a Vocal Coach and Educator.
“As performers and session musicians we have performed at the Royal Festival Hall, Albert Hall and with Philharmonia Orchestra, Ronnie Scott's Club (Steve Taylor Big Band eXplosion), Jazz Cafe –
(World Runners) and toured Germany, Scandinavia, and Italy".
"We're fortunate that our music has been performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the UK & Europe...."
Frater and Taylor’s tracks
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