Biography
Singer, songwriter and pianist Anthony Strong was born in Croydon, South London, and has been playing music since his early years.
After a scholarship to The Purcell School of Music, Anthony funded his 4 year jazz degree at the Guildhall School of Music by gigging around town and quickly became a regular name on the London scene. He has played on pop sessions for the likes Charlotte Church and Michael Bolton, and has appeared on various BBC, ITV and Channel 4 television shows including Top of The Pops, T4, GMTV and Friday Night With Jonathan Ross.
"When I first took an interest in music - when I was really young - we didn't have a decent piano at home, so when it came to Easter or Christmas holidays, we'd visit my Grandparents and I'd spend the whole time 'head down' at the piano. I'd greet my relatives and be itching to get on it as soon as I got in the door ... I learnt everything in C at first, and at this time (as I had no real education and I guess with no radio in the room to play along to) C major was the obvious choice - all the white notes! Every single tune I wanted to play, I learnt in C major. It's weird looking back on it but it taught me a real lesson in basic, diatonic harmony. By the time it came to 'having lessons' I had C major down cold!"
After graduating from Music College in 2008, Anthony decided that his own music needed to take centre stage and set to work on years of ideas for songs and lyrics. He wrote several songs with lyricist Guy Mathers and, along with some good musician friends, he began performing in the pubs and clubs of London. Mixing his unique take on the jazz classics with his own feel-good songs, Anthony quickly built up a loyal following of music fans and musicians and went on to gig at Pizza Express Jazz Club, The 606 Jazz Club and in the house band at Ronnie Scott’s.
His debut album 'Guaranteed!' was released in the summer of 2009 and the band featured 8 of his best friends – who just happened to be some of the finest jazz musicians in London! On top of this, friend and singer Natalie Williams made a guest appearance. The launch saw around 300 people squeeze into private members club Shoreditch House and a panicking bar manager shut the doors and turn the rest away. 6 months later saw similar queues outside Richard Branson’s ‘Kensington Roof Gardens’ for one of Anthony’s shows.
"I met Natalie Williams through a project at music college and we got on so well. We quickly realised we had very similar tastes when it came to music and played a few low key gigs in London together. It was with Natalie, and trumpeter Gerard Prescencer, that I made my Ronnie Scott’s debut. She's a lot of fun and I'm so proud and grateful to have her on my first record."
Jazz FM and BBC London radio quickly picked up on the tunes and Anthony has since performed at venues including Dubai Jazz Festival, Pizza on the Park Jazz Club and a sell-out night at the 2010 London Jazz Festival. He even managed to fit in a support with American trumpet star Chris Botti.
Anthony’s EP Delovely will be out on the 27th September, along with a UK tour.
Press
Praise for 'Delovely'
“British Jazz may have found its mainstream rendezvous”
The British Jazz Blog, Sept 2011
“A cool voice!” Bebop Spoken Here, Sept 2011
“New and notable” Amazon.co.uk
“A new, genuine, male jazz singer” Jazz House, BBC Radio 3, Sept 2011
“A genuine talent at the beginning of what is certain to be a long and successful career” Entertainment Focus, Sept 2011
“A fast rising new star on the British jazz scene”
Soul and Jazz and Funk, Oct 2011
“Smashing singer and a cracking pianist” Jazz House, BBC Radio 3, Sept 2011
“A well rounded serving of jazz standards served with aplomb”
London Jazz Blog, Oct 2011
General
“F**king amazing” Rod Stewart
“Great singer, great pianist” Jamie Cullum
“He's got a great deal of talent; he might be the real deal. I remember a long time ago hearing a demonstration tape of a young singer called Jamie Cullum and having much the same feeling when I heard that for the first time as I did there listening to Anthony Strong."
Sir Michael Parkinson, BBC Radio
"I think he's got a real talent this boy." Sir Michael Parkinson, BBC Radio
“Absolutely wonderful” Sally Taylor, BBC Radio Solent
“The real deal” Ian Shaw, 2-time BBC Jazz Singer of the Year
“Energetic, slick and exhilarating” London Jazz Blog
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