Graham McGregor-Smith – The Old Court, Windsor June 4th 2024
‘A superb songwriter who brings a touch of pure class to proceedings’ BBC Introducing
‘Graham McGregor-Smith has a wonderfully conversational songwriting style’ Sir Robin Millar CBE (Producer – Sade / Everything But The Girl)
Local singer-songwriter Graham McGregor-Smith and his band return to The Old Court in Windsor on June 4th to play his superb debut album, ‘Road to Anywhere’.
Tickets On Sale Now HERE
“A most enjoyable album”: Jazz Views
“Undeniable joy and life-affirming energy” On Magazine
Promising a night of awesome music and good vibes Graham will be accompanied by his all-star band featuring some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians. Together, they will perform songs from ‘Road To Anywhere’, along with a handful of cover songs responsible for influencing and inspiring Graham throughout his life. To complete a thrilling set, Graham has alluded to a potential preview of some new material.
Having sold out shows at Hampstead Jazz Club, and Windsor’s The Old Court at the end of 2023, Graham launched his album at the famous Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho in March.
“Performing at Pizza Express, Soho was a joy from start to finish”, McGregor-Smith explains. “I’ve seen so many amazing live performances there over the years, so to actually launch my album at this venue that has hosted the debuts of Gregory Porter, Diana Krall and Norah Jones was a huge honour and profoundly humbling. Looking forward to the show in Windsor, there’s something truly special about playing to your home crowd. With so many friends and family in the audience, it just lifts everything and creates a feeling of pure magic, so I can’t wait.”
Band Line up:
- Graham McGregor-Smith (vocals)
- Julian Hinton (MD, keys and backing vocals) [Trevor Horn; Seal; Rod Stewart; Stormzy]
- Brandon Allen(saxophone) [Kyle Eastwood; Omar]
- Ben Somers (bass and backing vocals) [Seal; Taylor Swift]
- Dave Storey (drums) [Ivo Neame, Mike Outram]
Born in rural Worcestershire and raised on a musical diet of jazz, blues and pop, Graham McGregor-Smith enjoyed a successful business career before facing up to the inescapable fact that his teenage passion for songwriting burned as brightly as ever.
After years of contemplation and completing many life milestones, including a successful business career, a 3,200-mile charity bike ride for Action Medical Research, and raising children, Graham decided his 61 years of age was no longer a barrier restricting his dreams of a career in music. After devoting time to refining and developing his songwriting through courses at London’s ICMP and The Songwriting Academy, Graham penned the songs that would later go on to make up his first album. Graham recently talked to The Guardian about releasing his debut album in his sixties – read his story here.
A lyric-led musician, Graham pens and performs spiritually uplifting songs with tinctures of classic instrumentation that fuse pop and swinging jazz, that results in a harmonious blend that bears resemblance to artists Gilbert O’Sullivan, Jimmy Webb and João Gilberto.
Graham has shared a live performance of the album’s title track ‘Road To Anywhere’ featuring his talented fleet of accompanying musicians.
The track is one of the collections brightest moments, and encompasses lessons from life and escaping love that led to the production of this album. Existing as an uplifting mantra reminding oneself, that once you have escaped the darkness in your past, wherever the road takes you will be better and brighter.
Road To Anywhere is available on CD, vinyl, download and all streaming services now.
