The Music of Carole King and James Taylor

The Richard Jones Big Band return to PizzaExpress Live following a sell-out debut show, with their unique and special tribute to two pioneers of American song writing. Get ready to hear all of your favourite hits such as I Feel The Earth Move, It’s Too Late, How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Country Road and You’ve Got A Friend, performed by a live big band in a way you’ve never heard them before.

Fronted by vocalists Elly Grice and Freddie Benedict, this is an afternoon of timeless music that’s not to be missed!

Richard Jones is an award winning composer, arranger, orchestrator and trombonist based in London. He is highly regarded for his musical awareness and stylistically informed arrangements. Born in West Yorkshire, Richard spent his formative years growing up in brass bands and his local music service in Wakefield. He spent several years coming through the ranks of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, where he was an active arranger and several of his charts were performed at prestigious venues such as Ronnie Scott’s and PizzaExpress Live. In 2024, Richard won the Youth Jazz Orchestra Commissions Competition in association with Jazz North. As a trombonist, Richard is regularly seen performing with some of the country’s top musicians. He holds the bass trombone chair with Chris Dean’s Syd Lawrence Orchestra.

The Richard Jones Big Band comprises of some of the top musicians this country has to offer, who collectively have toured/recorded with the likes of Sir Tom Jones, George Michael, Incognito, Jamiroquai, Corinne Bailey Rae, Mark Ronson, The Mingus Big Band, BBC Big Band, Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra.

Elly Grice is a British vocalist and session musician making waves on the UK music scene. A highly sought after backing vocalist, Elly has performed with Myles Smith, Maribou State, James and Kathy Sledge. She has performed at Glastonbury, BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge and the BRIT Awards.

Freddie Benedict is a British jazz vocalist, trumpeter and all-round musical talent. He spent a decade as lead male vocalist with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Freddie has played sold out shows at renowned London venues such as Crazy Coqs and Hampstead Jazz Club, in addition to performing at the BBC Proms.

Carole King is the most successful female songwriter of the 20th century pop music era, with 118 chart hits. Tapestry, King’s 1971 solo album, took her to the pinnacle as a singer/songwriter with four Grammy Awards. Tapestry remained the best-selling album by a female artist for a quarter of a century.

James Taylor has touched people with his warm baritone voice and distinctive style of guitar playing for more than 50 years. Taylor has sold more than 100 million albums, earning gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards. He has won multiple Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.