Born in the East End of London,
Virtuoso vocalist, Actor and composer Cleveland Watkiss Studied the voice at ‘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. His vocals can be heard on there debut album, Out of Many People which won a video award in Japan.
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 femail jazz vocalists 'Cassandra Wilson' And 'Abbey Lincoln'.... John Fordham, the Guardian music journalist accurately describes Cleveland as ‘arriving on the scene with a bang”.
He’s amazing vocal experiences has seen him perform with many diverse artists from around the world like: 'The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra',‘Dusseldolf Symphonic Orchestra‘,'Bob Dylan',Jackie Mittoo,'Keith Richards','James Taylor Quartet',Art Blakey, Abdullah Ibrahim, 'Stevie Wonder', 'Patife',‘Lepaja Symphonic Orchestra‘, 'Carlinhos Brown', 'Robbie Williams','Joe Cocker','Bobby McFerrin', ‘The Who’'Branford Marsalis', 'George Martin',Art Blakey', ‘Julian Joseph‘,'Bocato Big Band','Lisa Stansfield', ‘Courtney Pine’, 'Janet Kay','Maxi Priest','Soul ii Soul', 'London chamber orchestra', 'Kassa Mady', 'Goldie','Cassandra Wilson', 'Kenny Wheeler big band', 'Sugar Minot','Talvin Singh', 'Bjork','Pete Townshend', 'London Community Gospel Choir' (LCGC), And many many More.....
Cleveland watkiss is also a very keen Music Educator,
Working as a voice instructor with workshops in Venues/Schools, colleges and Universities around the UK.
He also designed the vocal curriculum for BA Students at
The ‘Weekend Arts college’ (WAC) in north london.
And is a regularly facilitator and voice coach for the ‘Artist Development Programme’ (ADP) at the Hackney Empire Theatre in east London.
PRESENT:
More recently, demonstrating great versatility Cleveland watkiss was cast the Starring role In Julian Joseph’s groundbreaking Jazz Opera as ‘BRIDGETOWER’ to considerable acclaim.
Cleveland has and continues to performed in many of the major concert halls, Festivals and clubs around the world with VOCALSUITE
which is a solo voice performance,and his new ‘TRIO’ with two exellent accompanists: Shaney Forbes (drms) and Mark Hodgson (bass)
'CLEVELAND WATKISS' PRESS QUOTES….
"Cleveland Watkiss was voted best vocalist in the wire/guardian awards
three years running and there is no doubt he arrived on the scene with a bang”…Hackney Gazette
“Best male jazz singer in Britain”…Evening standard
"Watkiss’ larger than life stage presence and highly original scatting brought the band into the desired higher gear, bringing out great solos"...Jazzwise
"The trio live is such a great experience - that's about the bravest line-up any singer can put them self in, and you played it like you lived there :o) That, my dear man, is class".....steve lawson
“A jazz legend“.....Telegraph
“Cleveland Watkiss was simply made for the lead of Bridgetower..it could be a career high to date”....Jazzwise
“Watkiss has been acknowledged as one of the worlds most outstanding male jazz singers”…The Guardian.....
For all Bookings and more info Send Email To:clevelandwatkiss@aol.com
Tel:+44 (0) 7718 918697 Or +44 (0) 20 8133 6596
Listening to a radioshow with Grooverider and you: Frankfurts HR3 Clubnight from 1998...love the combination of Jazz vocals and the deep & dark D'n'B vibes - there's nothing like this.
yea for real cleveland nice to hear from you, how is tings? how's fam, nuff love goes out to you. say hi to kelly for me. stay blessed and keep doing your ting. stay in touch. peace
Hey Cleveland, It was nice to see you the other day...sorry if I was brief, serious guys got me a mojito that was super strong and I figured the less I speak the little I make a fool of my self...he he anyhow diggin the music you got up here... (((LOVE)))
Still waiting for you to grace us here in the States with your presence and your music...keep up the good work and may God continue to watch over you. Atlanta Georgia
Still waiting for you to grace us here in the States with your presence and your music...keep up the good work and may God continue to watch over you.
