Press

Paul Ryan

Press Release

CRITICAL REACTIONS FOR PAUL AND JAMIE’S LIVE PERFORMANCES: “Ryan sings with a knowledge and understanding of the nuances and wit of the great lyricists…each song a narrative, personal and poignant, opening up a thousand memories.” – JAZZWISE “Ryan’s relaxed delivery (was) complemented by Safir’s reflective and melodic piano…notes falling like cascades of raindrops, or tears, before an emphatic statement led back to the melody…the encore was a masterpiece of beauty and timing showing the empathy between the two performers.” - JAZZ JOURNAL LOVE LOOK AWAY IS RELEASED ON 24th

SEPTEMBER PRESS ENQUIRUES AND INTERVIEW REQUESTS, PLEASE CONTACT: Paul Smith - paulwsmithpr@gmail.com GENERAL ENQUIRIES CONTACT: Adam Gahlin - adam@adamgahlin.com

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES FOR EDITORS: Cardiff-born PAUL RYAN has gained a reputation as a singer noted for his distinctive baritone and elegant phrasing and for specialising in the Great American Songbook. He has performed in several London venues including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Jazz Club, The Pheasantry, The Crazy Coqs and the Hippodrome Casino, as well as elsewhere in the UK, France and Spain. He has also written widely on the arts and conducted scores of on-stage interviews with major personalities from the world of film. His amusing and informative anecdotes relating to the songs he sings form an important element of his live performance. In 2010, he was awarded the rank of Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government. www.paulryan.org.uk

Having graduated from Guildhall School in 2014, Manchester -born JAMIE SAFIR has wasted no time in establishing himself as a versatile and inventive player who is at home in a range of musical genres from pop to jazz. He has been much in demand with such pop performers as Will Young, Olly Murs and Birdy. He has also acquired a reputation as one of the leading young talents of the British jazz scene, performing with Ian Shaw, Elaine Delmar, Emma Smith, Judi Jackson and the Ronnie Scott’s All Stars. He is artistic director of Hampstead Jazz Club and a regular performer at London’s major jazz venues as well as enjoying a growing international career.

www.jamiesafir.com

PAUL RYAN AND JAMIE SAFIR A NEW ALBUM FROM THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK INSPIRED BY TONY BENNETT AND BILL EVANS ALBUM TITLE: LOVE LOOK AWAY ARTISTS: PAUL RYAN and JAMIE SAFIR

GENRE: VOCAL JAZZ LABEL: BELL NOTE CAT NO: BLA002 AVAILABLE ON CD (RRP £10.00) and DIGITAL PLATFORMS (iTunes) RELEASE DATE: 24th SEPTEMBER

Love Look Away, the new album from seasoned vocalist Paul Ryan and bright young jazz pianist Jamie Safir, features gems, familiar and unfamiliar, from the Great American Songbook. It was inspired by the collaboration between singer Tony Bennett and jazz pianist Bill Evans which produced two landmark discs in the mid-Seventies. Paul and Jamie, united across the generations by timeless ballads, have explored the spirit of that teaming in a series of sell-out shows at London venues, including Ronnie Scott’s, in recent years. Recorded at London’s famous RAK Studios, founded by Mickey Most, the album features the duo’s own personal choice of songs and creates a mood that is ideal for late-night listening. Additionally, the French composer Michel Legrand is represented by You Must Believe in Spring (with English lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman). The liner notes for the album have been specially written by one of the UK’s leading jazz singers, Ian Shaw. Together, Paul and Jamie have built a solid fanbase, which includes such celebrities as Sir Michael Palin, Alison Steadman and Ken Stott.

PAUL RYAN AND JAMIE SAFIR ARE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW

FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE ARTISTS