January 2023

Sat 8th April 2023 8pm Cranleigh Arts Centre

“SPELLBINDING” – National Rock Review
“GAME-CHANGING” – Classic Rock Magazine
“REMARKABLE TALENT” – Powerplay Magazine
“SHEER PERFECTION” – Fireworks Magazine
“DEPTH AND SINCERITY” – Metal Discovery
“PREMIER LEAGUE” – Rock Society
“POSITIVELY ENGROSSING”-  Raw Ramp
“SUBLIMELY INTENSE & HAUNTING” – Spin Sunday
“A SCHORR-FIRE WINNER” – Music Republic Magazine
“SOUL STIRRING” – FabricationsHQ
“MODERN BLUES BRILLIANCE” – Jace Media
“VOCALIST OF POWER AND DEPTH” = Blues Doodle
“POWERFUL & HEARTFELT VOCALS” – Rhythm & Booze

Every year there is seemingly a constant parade of must-hear singers right? Not really. They come along rarely if they’re the real deal, as rarely as a seminal live album actually. Meet Sari Schorr. What makes her different is what makes all the others the same. She’s got talent, who hasn’t, but she has depth, life experience (like helping out in Haiti after the earthquake). She has real stories to tell. Sari is one of the few singers that can be, and is, mentioned in the same breath as Joplin. What you get is Blues with 3 Michelin Stars served in a New York diner. Don’t forget to leave a tip!

Sari’s brand-new, 12-track live album was recorded on the last tour and serves as a perfect illustration of why you’ll want to catch the next one. We are treated to the passion of original songs from her two studio albums and two reworked covers, Black Betty and I Just Want To Make Love To You, both hot favourites with audiences. These stunning live recordings from across Europe, along with two previously-unreleased acoustic tracks recorded for the BBC in the UK, truly make this album an object of desire. For Sari “there is an honestly in a live performance that allows me to be vulnerable and uncensored.”

We are in uncharted territory, and to use superlatives that have been wrongly applied to lesser performers in the past, mostly by ad agencies, would be to cheapen something exceptional. Perhaps the best words are actually the names of other exceptional artists Sari stands alongside, like Tina Turner, Elkie Brooks and the already mentioned Janice Joplin. 

“Schorr can sing ‘em.  the New Yorker makes you believe every stormy line ” Classic Rock Magazine

“…one of the best contemporary blues rock singers in the world” Raw Ramp

“Sari’s songwriting reflects human emotions and experience, adding to the feeling of intimacy with her audience. She speaks of her commitment to tackle difficult subjects in her songwriting often considered taboo, such as domestic abuse and heroin addiction, offering a different perspective on topics of which no one wants to talk”. – National Rock Review – Sonia Alani

After a superb introduction at Paul Jones and Friends at G-Live we are delighted to present a night of Stevie Wonder with Noel McCalla and Derek Nash at Godalming Borough Hall.

Celebrating the genius of Stevie Wonder throughout his entire career, the mesmeric vocalist, Noel McCalla, and award-winning saxophonist, Derek Nash, have put together a band of top musicians to play a wide-ranging back catalogue of classic hits, from 1970’s Signed, Sealed, Delivered through to hits from Talking Book, Innervisions, Songs in the Key of Life and Hotter than July.  Playing hit after hit, from the dance floor classics I Wish and Superstition to beautiful arrangements of My Cherie Amour and Overjoyed, the set will also include compositions by Stevie Wonder that others have had massive hits with.

Noel McCalla’s long association with the brilliant Morrisey Mullen Band earned him acclaim as “one of Britain’s best Soul Singers” (Blues and Soul Magazine) and, for more than 19 years, Noel’s searing, soulful vocals were featured with the iconic Manfred Mann’s “Earth Band”. He also provided vocals on Mike Rutherford’s highly acclaimed album, Smallcreep’s Day, and is often featured with jazz funk band, Mezzoforte.

Derek Nash has played in Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra since 2004 and is also a member of the Ronnie Scotts Blues Explosion. He has won several British Jazz Awards throughout his career fronting Sax Appeal, his Acoustic Quartet and the funk band, Protect the Beat. Derek has performed live, on record and on television with Gregory Porter, Chaka Khan, David Sanborn, Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Amy Winehouse and many, many more.  At the forefront of the British jazz movement, Derek Nash is “one of the most versatile saxophonists in the UK today” (The Guardian)

The all-star band features Neil Angilley – piano, Tim Cansfield – guitar,  Jonathan Noyce – bass, Nic France – drums.  Musicians whose credits include Bill Withers, The Bee Gees, Gary Moore and  Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.

”Rarely have I heard the music of Stevie Wonder interpreted with such finesse, energy and all round brilliance” – The House of Soul 

Our Audience’s comments………………………

A superb trawl through an eclectic and vibrant songbook, played with real elan and gusto. A thrilling show. Go see…

Seasoned, brilliant musicians, with an awesome pedigree bringing a rare homage to Stevie’s wonderful material. No lie, I enjoyed this show more than Stevie’s show at Hyde Park last summer. This is no plastic ‘tribute” act. It’s the real deal. It’s fabulous.

What an amazing night. I’m a massive Stevie fan and you were all a credit to the man and his music. Amazing first class musicianship and Noels vocals were simply stunning. You left me wanting more