Come and join this distinctive choir with inventive grooves, improvisation and completely original material. All ages are welcome for inspiring evenings that lead to regularly uplifting performances directed by the incomparable and innovative vocalist Cleveland Watkiss.
Tuesdays 7-9pm.
Join the Stardust People Choir >>
Cleveland brings excitement and creativity to every project and his workshops are legendary. He is committed to sharing his great skill and artistry in the community with the conviction that “everyone has a voice and something to contribute”. Cleveland effortlessly communicates the joy of learning through music with a great sense of fun and humour. He combines proper vocal techniques with group performance and improvisation for a truly unique musical experience. Become part of these invigorating workshops, and learn the treasured working practices of a vocal master.
The Stardust People Choir is the perfect place to unlock inhibitions and inspire the latent creativity that lies within us all. This is an all ages, community choir with a great groove.
“The experience was amazing. I got over my fear of singing and just enjoyed the moment. Cleveland and the Stardust People Choir form a very friendly and fun yet extremely intense atmosphere.”
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Watch the Stardust People Choir in action here >>
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About Cleveland Watkiss
“Best male jazz singer in Britain” – London Evening Standard
“One of the world’s most outstanding male jazz singers” The Guardian
Born in the East End of London, virtuoso vocalist, actor and composer Cleveland Watkiss studied the voice at the London School of Singing with opera coach Arnold Rose and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Cleveland was also one of the co-founders of the vastly influential Jazz Warriors big band.
Cleveland was then entered for the Wire/Guardian Jazz Awards and was voted best vocalist for three consecutive years, and was the opening act of choice for two of the worlds greatest female jazz vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Abbey Lincoln. John Fordham, the Guardian music journalist accurately describes Cleveland as “arriving on the scene with a bang”.
His amazing vocal experiences have seen him perform with many diverse artists from around the world. Cleveland is also a very keen music educator, working as a voice instructor at workshops in venues, schools, colleges and universities around the UK.
More recently, demonstrating great versatility, Cleveland Watkiss was cast as the starring role in Julian Joseph’s two groundbreaking Jazz operas, Bridgetower and Shadowball, to considerable acclaim. Cleveland continues to perform in many of the major concert halls, festivals and clubs around the world with his VocalSuite, a solo voice performance, and with his new quartet, CWQ.