Shakatak

‘Their music still glows as brightly as that first hearing… Shakatak aren’t just a band, they were the soundtrack to our lives…
(Ronnie Scott’s magazine)

Universally respected for consummate instrumental chops, Shakatak have chalked up classic global hits like Night Birds and Down On the Street…

Released over 60 studio, live and compilation albums…

Worked – individually and collectively – with artists as diverse as Alexander O’Neal, Aswad, and Don Grusin…

Built a reputation for high-octane live shows featuring a creative core of four original members – Bill Sharpe (keys); Jill Saward (vocals/flute); George Anderson (bass); and Roger Odell (drums); plus founder member Keith Winter (gtr)…

And carried the jazz-funk flame to sell-out concerts all round the world – including countries as diverse as Japan, Germany, Mexico, Singapore, Latvia, Slovakia, and Azerbaijan.

Now they’re back in Cambridge – for the first time in 35 years!

Red Express

Flashback to 1975: Born out of local legends like Saffron Jack and Baby Whale, Red Express are the hottest and funkiest band in the Cambridge region – a rollicking six piece that included Dennis Andrews (vocals;) Jumbo Barker (bass); Mark Jackson (gtr); Brian Wren (drums); Bill Sharpe (keys); and Keith Winter (gtr) – both later of Shakatak.

In the late 70s, Red Express played everywhere in and around Cambridge: at May Balls, Masque Balls, The Alma Brewery, the Grad Pad, Raffles, the Great Northern Hotel – you name it, they were there.

You can’t keep a good band down. Nearly 45 years later, and with a first full studio album under their belt, Red Express are reunited and back where they belong, supporting the band into which they eventually evolved – Shakatak.

It’s going to be a free wheeling evening of funk. And jazz. And all the notes in between!