Frank Tontoh's Belated Birthday Gig at 606 Club

Over the last 30 years Frank Tontoh has established himself as a drummer of considerable versatility and accomplishment, playing in a wide variety of high profile settings that have cemented his enviable reputation as one of the finest players around. It’s fair to say that Frank was born in to the music business, his father Mac Tontoh being one of the founding members of the iconic highlife band Osibisa. Frank himself began his musical studies at MIT in Los Angeles before completing a degree in composition and arranging at Trinity College of Music, London along with old school friend Courtney Pine. In 1982 Frank went out on the road with Osibisa, touring worldwide with the band for almost 4 years. On returning to London in 1986, along with Courtney, he formed the first of the major bands he was to be associated with, the Jazz Warriors, before moving on to his own highly regarded band Desperately Seeking Fusion. It wasn’t long before news of this enormously talented musician working the London scene got out and he was soon first call for numerous high profile artists, both recording and live. Since then he has established himself as a major player, the list of bands and artists that he has appeared with over the years reading like a who’s who of contemporary music, including the likes of Craig David, Tanita Tikaram, Aztec Camera, Jason Donovan, Al Green, Level 42, George Michael, Gary Barlow, Paul Young, Des’ree, Lewis Taylor, Damage, Andrew Roachford, Mis-teeq and Gabrielle. He recorded and toured with the late Amy Winehouse (“Back to Black” tour) and to demonstrate his versatility and the respect with which his playing is held he has also worked with the likes of musicians such as Jack Bruce, Ernest Ranglin, Matt Bianco, Alex Wilson and Percy Sledge. You get the idea, he’s very good! An old friend of the Club (I first met Frank at the old Club in the mid 80’s) it’s with great pleasure that we welcome him tonight for the second year running to celebrate his birthday, again a little after the event, but as he explained to me he’s “been busy” (we’re not saying how old he is…but Google never lies). The musicians supporting Frank tonight, are as you would expect from someone with his longevity on the scene, simply outstanding. Soul singing sensation Katie Leone, from Incognito, will be contributing to the evening as will members from “Brother Strut” that, as well of course as Frank, features some of the finest soul and funk players in the business, Stevie Jones on saxophone/keyboard, Sam Tanner on keyboard/vocals, Otha Smith on guitar and Steve Pearce on bass. Their brilliant debut album "First Strut Is The Deepest" was rated 10/10 by Blues and Soul Magazine, describing it as "Bloody brilliant. One of the best soul and funk albums I have heard for a long time. Certainly one of the hottest debuts of recent times on an independent label.” And if all that wasn't enough Frank will have some seriously Special Guests joining him on stage throughout the evening, including Special Guest UK soul sensation Omar (MBE and "Godfather of British Neo Soul"). If last year is anything to go by, this promises to be an amazing night, booking is strongly advised!...

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Over the last 30 years Frank Tontoh has established himself as a drummer of considerable versatility and accomplishment, playing in a wide variety of high profile settings that have cemented his enviable reputation as one of the finest players around. It’s fair to say that Frank was born in to the music business, his father Mac Tontoh being one of the founding members of the iconic highlife band Osibisa. Frank himself began his musical studies at MIT in Los Angeles before completing a degree in composition and arranging at Trinity College of Music, London along with old school friend Courtney Pine. In 1982 Frank went out on the road with Osibisa, touring worldwide with the band for almost 4 years. On returning to London in 1986, along with Courtney, he formed the first of the major bands he was to be associated with, the Jazz Warriors, before moving on to his own highly regarded band Desperately Seeking Fusion. It wasn’t long before news of this enormously talented musician working the London scene got out and he was soon first call for numerous high profile artists, both recording and live. Since then he has established himself as a major player, the list of bands and artists that he has appeared with over the years reading like a who’s who of contemporary music, including the likes of Craig David, Tanita Tikaram, Aztec Camera, Jason Donovan, Al Green, Level 42, George Michael, Gary Barlow, Paul Young, Des’ree, Lewis Taylor, Damage, Andrew Roachford, Mis-teeq and Gabrielle. He recorded and toured with the late Amy Winehouse (“Back to Black” tour) and to demonstrate his versatility and the respect with which his playing is held he has also worked with the likes of musicians such as Jack Bruce, Ernest Ranglin, Matt Bianco, Alex Wilson and Percy Sledge. You get the idea, he’s very good! An old friend of the Club (I first met Frank at the old Club in the mid 80’s) it’s with great pleasure that we welcome him tonight for the second year running to celebrate his birthday, again a little after the event, but as he explained to me he’s “been busy” (we’re not saying how old he is…but Google never lies). The musicians supporting Frank tonight, are as you would expect from someone with his longevity on the scene, simply outstanding. Soul singing sensation Katie Leone, from Incognito, will be contributing to the evening as will members from “Brother Strut” that, as well of course as Frank, features some of the finest soul and funk players in the business, Stevie Jones on saxophone/keyboard, Sam Tanner on keyboard/vocals, Otha Smith on guitar and Steve Pearce on bass. Their brilliant debut album "First Strut Is The Deepest" was rated 10/10 by Blues and Soul Magazine, describing it as "Bloody brilliant. One of the best soul and funk albums I have heard for a long time. Certainly one of the hottest debuts of recent times on an independent label.” And if all that wasn't enough Frank will have some seriously Special Guests joining him on stage throughout the evening, including Special Guest UK soul sensation Omar (MBE and "Godfather of British Neo Soul"). If last year is anything to go by, this promises to be an amazing night, booking is strongly advised!

“...joyous… buoyant rhythms … Tontoh’s sensitive drumming is full of delightful small details….consistently excellent” The JazzMann;
“…exciting” Time Out

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