For more than 5 decades, Faison has been a force in the concert dance and musical theatre, as well as film, video, television, television commercials and trade shows. Like all prolific Jazz artists his Jazz style amalgamates and fuses Modern Jazz and Contemporary dance trends with Black American Dance Theatre. In the late 1960’s he rose to prominence as an Alvin Ailey dancer, later choreographing works for the company including the acclaimed Suite Otis.

He has choreographed and directed more than thirty plays and musicals, including on Broadway Via Galactica(1973), 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (1976). The Radio City Music Hall production of Porgy and Bess (1983), Sing, Mahalia, Sing (1985). He has worked extensively in television, and in 1989 he conceived and produced the television special Cosby Salutes Ailey for the 30th anniversary of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

George Faison’s true global dedication to the Jazz Dance Theatre art form, has positioned him as a Patron for BOP, continuing the support and the shaping of the contemporary Jazz Arts landscape in the UK and beyond.

On leaving Ailey George formed his Concert Dance company the ‘George Faison Urban Experiences’ fusing Jazz, Contemporary and commercial dance styles. Faison made his choreographic debut on Broadway with Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope (1972). In 1974, he choreographed The Wiz, the successful all-black musical retelling of The Wizard of Oz, winning a Tony Award for choreography, the first for an African American in that category.

He won an Emmy Award for his choreography of the HBO special The Josephine Baker Story (1991). Moving between both the commercial and artistic worlds he was choreographer and stage director for numerous Music artists including, Earth, Wind and Fire, Ashford and Simpson, Gladys Knight.

Claire is a distinguished Linn Records recording artist, who has earned widespread critical acclaim as a prominent figure in the UK jazz scene for over three decades. With an impressive record of achievements, she boasts an extraordinary eight British Jazz Awards, a testament to her prowess as a jazz vocalist. Claire has showcased her talents on a global stage, performing with her trio and collaborating extensively with the late Sir Richard Rodney Bennett.

She has released an impressive 18 CDs in collaboration with renowned musical luminaries such as Martin Taylor, John Martyn, Stephane Grappelli, Kenny Barron, Richard Rodney Bennett and Jim Mullen. In recognition of her significant contributions to the genre, Claire was honoured with the BASCA Gold Badge Award in 2018, solidifying her status as a tour de force in the world of jazz.

She has left an indelible mark on the jazz world, as a prolific recording artist & as a featured soloist with prestigious orchestras such as the Halle Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra & the RTE Concert Orchestra. Claire's multifaceted contributions, including her role as co-presenter on BBC Radio 3’s 'Jazz Line Up' with notable interviews with jazz legends. In 2011, Claire and her remarkable service to jazz, was recognised at the Queen’s Birthday Honours with an OBE.

Claire’s dedication to the jazz arts legacy has positioned her as a patron for BOP, as she continues shaping and supporting the contemporary Jazz Arts landscape in the UK and beyond.

clairemartinjazz.co.uk

Ayries “Ray” Shell is a film, TV and stage actor, as well as an author, director and producer. He has been a fixture in London’s West End since he arrived in the UK in 1978. In 2018 Ray toured the UK as Emil Foley, the drill sergeant in the acclaimed Curve production of An Officer and a Gentlemen directed by Nikolai Foster. In 2017, he performed in the Kennedy Center commission for actors and jazz ensemble Bud, Not Buddy, directed by Clarke Peters

His theatre performance credits include: Ain’t Misbehavin’, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Little Willie Jr.’s Resurrection, Miss Saigon, King, Children of Eden, 125th Street, Dancin’ in the Street, Gone with the Wind, Disney’s The Lion King, The Dirtiest Musical, The Me Nobody Knows, Hair, Dementos, Sweeney Todd Happy End, Blues for Mr. Charlie, Golden Boy Vernon God Little and Been So Long and as Rusty in the original West End production of Starlight Express.

Ray was in the original West End production of The Bodyguard and recently appeared in the west coast premiere of the Broadway hit, TONI STONE, directed by Tony Award-winning director Pam Mackinnon. As a director his works include, A Dream Across the Ocean, Gilgamesh, Death of a Salesman, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Mango Lick Poetry Jam, A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, The Tulip Wars and White Folks - A Musical Fable, created and co-produced with Dollie & Paul.

Ray’s acclaimed debut novel ICED was published by Random House/Penguin Books. The 30th-anniversary edition of ICED has been published, October 5th, 2023 on Street Angels Books. His online publishing company, Street Angels Books, has published Spike Lee: The Eternal Maverick.

Ray has had a longstanding creative relationship with Dollie & Paul for over 20 years, through musical theatre, concert and cabaret productions both in the nationally and internationally. Including cabaret show Black2Black in London and NYC, devised and directed by Dollie with Musical Direction/arrangements by Paul.