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.

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 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 has choreographed and directed more than thirty plays and musicals. Won an Emmy Award for his choreography of the HBO special The Josephine Baker Story (1991). He was choreographer and stage director for numerous Music artists including, Earth, Wind and Fire, Ashford and Simpson, Gladys Knight. He conceived and produced the 1998 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.

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.

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.

His theatre performance credits include: Ray An Officer and a Gentlemen, 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 and The Bodyguard.

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 Henry & Paul Jenkins.

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

Ray has had a longstanding creative relationship with Dollie & Paul of over 25 years, through musical theatre, concert and cabaret productions nationally and internationally. Including his cabaret show Black2Black in London and NYC, devised and directed by Dollie with Musical Direction/arrangements by Paul.