"Fingers dancing over the keys of an imaginary saxophone or pumping the valves of an invisible trumpet, Cleveland Watkiss’ instrument is his voice. Vocal improvisation is the game.”… Arena

 

"Watkiss can create any of these sounds in live performance... he can be a one man band.” Time Out

 

"Cleveland Watkiss earlier on spun some ecstatic variations on a Chopin prelude that had us all spellbound.”… Telegraph

 

"One line good - but six lines just incredible.”… The Independent

 

"An original work from a unique British talent.”… Blues & Soul

 

"He is a genuine virtuoso.”… The Independent

Award winning UK jazz vocalist Cleveland Watkiss will be joined by some of the regions finest musicians: Tiago Coimbra on bass (also with Resolution 88 and recently toured with international jazz pianist Hiromi!), Justin Dwyeron guitar and Ian Griffith on drums. 

 

Clevealnd Watkiss will also be giving a solo a capella VocalSuite performance on Sunday Nov 27th 2:30-3:30pm at the Bateman Auditorium, Caius College in association with Caius Jazz.

Dubbed the "Sonny Rollins of the human voice” (Time Out), Cleveland’s rare ability to improvise like any instrument makes him a true frontman, but he is also able to incorporate his sound melodically, harmonically and rhythmically with bass and drums in a way that both complements and extends the musical dimensions of the conventional jazz quartet format.

Clevealnd Watkiss will also be giving a solo a capella VocalSuite performance on Sunday Nov 27th 2:30-3:30pm at the Bateman Auditorium, Caius College in association with Caius Jazz:

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Born in the East End of London, virtuoso vocalist, actor and composer Cleveland Watkiss studied the voice at the London School of Singing with opera coach Arnold Rose and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Cleveland was also one of the co-founders of the vastly influential Jazz Warriors big band. His vocals can be heard on their debut album, Out of Many People, which won a video award in Japan.

 

Cleveland was then entered for the Wire/Guardian Jazz Awards and was voted best vocalist for three consecutive years, and was the opening act of choice for two of the worlds greatest female jazz vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Abbey Lincoln. John Fordham, the Guardian music journalist accurately describes Cleveland as "arriving on the scene with a bang”.