The Unplugged Sessions
@ Stratford Circus

Friday 14th & Friday 21st November 2008

*Part of the London Jazz Festival in association with BBC Radio 3*

Urban Development’s Unplugged Sessions are designed to showcase the extraordinary array of talent in the UK that falls broadly under the urban banner. You’ll find established and well-loved artists performing alongside the hottest new rising talent in stripped down sessions to highlight the strength of the song writing and vocals.

This year’s Unplugged Sessions both form part of the London Jazz Festival and as such expect exclusive collaborations and innovative delivery from some artists that you may expect, and others that may come as a surprise.

Session one, on November 14th, sees one of the UK’s most successful black artists – Roachford – take centre stage.  Becoming the first artist to sign a seven-album deal with Columbia back in 1987, he went on to have a string of top ten hits, and is currently back in the studio working on his forthcoming independent LP ‘Addictive’. 

Repping for the new school on the night will be Island Records’ Leon Jean Marie, bringing his own brand of future-soul, which has already won the young Mark Ronson protégé comparisons to Prince.  Add in fellow Island label mate and rising star Aynzli Jones; half-Nigerian, half-Hungarian soulstress Aret, the daughter of Patti Boule; and stunning leftfield singer songwriter Andreya Triana and the line-up’s complete.

On November 21st, UD welcomes London’s Mr Hudson to the headline spot.  With a sound influenced by everything from post-war jazz to post-Katrina bounce, these guys have already won rave reviews of their debut album and can count the likes of Kanye West and Dizzee Rascal as fans, so expect something just a little bit special.

Support for the second session comes from the man behind one of the scene’s most eagerly awaited LPs, as Bashy performs jazz-influenced interpretations of his work, alongside some exclusive previews from said album…Throw in ex-Mystique front woman Sabrina Washington and her new soulful, reggae-tinged sound; Gut Records signing Jessie with her Christina Aguilera and Amy Winehouse comparisons; and soulful folk newcomer Kerry Leatham (another one Bashy had a hand in discovering) and you’ve got another stellar line up.

Going that one step further the UD team even have tickets for both events available at the discount price of £20 (£15 concessions), making these a couple of must do dates for the diary for any self-respecting soul music lover.