Biographies
Heather Simmons - (Vocals, saxophone, ukulele)
As well as her leading role in "Wills Fargo" Heather has a successful solo career as a Jazz vocalist. She also has her own band and has recently released an album entitled "I'm Old Fashioned", which has already had rave reviews on Radio 2, BBC Essex Radio and Smooth FM. Recently she has been asked to guest with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Harry Strutter's Band, John Sutton's London Hot Rhythm Boys and with Humphrey Lyttelton's band. She is also a founder member of the close harmony vocal trio "The Swinging Belles".
Ian Slater - (Lead vocals, guitar)
Ian is a very well known face on the Essex music scene, and has been seen performing as singer, guitarist and bandleader with such popular local bands as Keep On The Grass and The Swamp Band for several years, alongside many of the areas best known acoustic and roots musicians. Ian has also performed and toured with internationally famed artists such as bluegrass legend Peter Rowan and Tex-Mex accordion star Flaco Jiminez.
Andy Peek - (Drums, percussion)
Andy is a well known and respected drummer with a long and varied career. In the last 20 years he has worked with several well known singer/songwriters and country artists from both sides of the Atlantic and beyond. During the mid 70's he collaborated with Aussie songwriter writer Grahame Lister (co-writer of international No.1 hit "Star Trekkin"). Andy was a founder member of The Directors with producer Trevor Steel (Escape Club, Blue, etc. etc.). He has also worked with The Nashville Teens, Tony McPhee (Groundhogs), Tony Thorpe (Rubettes), Rick Westwood (The Tremeloes), "King Of The Hill" music writer John O'Connor, noted singer/songwriter Julian Dawson, and for the last 2 years has toured the UK with acclaimed Americana roots artist Lisa O'Lane.
Dave Bronze - (Bass, vocals)
Dave has played around the world in just about every place that music is played. In a career spanning over three decades he has appeared, on record or on stage, alongside such household names as The Art Of Noise, Belinda Carlisle, Paul Carrack, Eric Clapton, Roger Daltrey, Bo Diddley, Duane Eddy, Andy Fairweather Low, Dr. Feelgood, Bryan Ferry, Nik Kershaw, Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney, Billy Preston, Procol Harum, Ringo Starr, Solomon Burke, Ben E King, Joe Walsh, Paul Weller, Paul Rogers, Percy Sledge and many others. He can be seen playing alongside Eric Clapton in the "Live in Hyde Park" DVD, and the multi-platinum, Grammy award-winning tribute to George Harrison, "Concert For George".
Martin Donald - (Guitar)
Martin has been active in several areas of the music business for many years including radio, West End theatre, touring, writing, teaching & T.V. He has been Musical Director to many artistes, including The Drifters, The Platters and Little & Large and has worked in a diverse variety of situations from The QE2 cruise liner to The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. He has performed with numerous artists, including Ricky Valance, Jimmy Ruffin, Freddie Cole (Nat's brother!), Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Velvelettes, Bucks Fizz, Bob Monkhouse, Jim Davidson, Rolf Harris, Freddie Starr and has appeared on the Frank Skinner Show with Tom Jones and Jools Holland. Martin has also been associated with the Registry of Guitar Tutors (RGT) and the London College of Music (LCM) for many years and is a senior examiner for the guitar grades.
Martin Wheatley - (Guitar, Steel Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele)
Martin specializes in musical styles of the 20s, 30s & 40s - Jazz, Blues and, especially in recent years, Hawaiian. His first musical influences were Country Blues guitarists such as Skip James and Furry Lewis. This developed into an interest in Jazz via the new York School of Eddie Land, Joe Venuti and Bix Beiderbecke. He has played with most of the top Vintage Jazz stylists in the UK and Europe -including Keith Nichols, the Charleston Chasers and Matthias Seuffert . He has toured the USA extensively, including Hawaii. He recently returned to America to record CDs with violinist Andy Stein and trumpeter Jon Erik Kelso.
Mike Piggot - (Violin)
Mike's professional career began playing the guitar, and occasional violin, with soul, blues and reggae bands in the London club scene of the early 1970s with the System Soul Band opposite artists such as Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames. He has worked alongside Hammond organist/guitarist Junior Marvin (later of Bob Marley and The Wailers), Paul Brett, Paul King (Mungo Jerry), Ralph McTell, Bert Jansch, Pentangle, Denny Laine Band, Phil Collins, Martin Taylor, Jack Emblow, Big Jim Sullivan, Diz Disley, John Joyce, John Etheridge, Gary Potter, Campbell Burnap, Digby Fairweather, Bucky Pizzarelli, Marty Grosz, Ken Peplowski, Herbie Flowers, Peter Ind, Nils Solberg, Jeff Green, The Hot Club of London, and Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band. Mike's first CD release "Blues for Stuff and Steph", featuring his quartet, has received excellent reviews from music publications in the UK, the USA, Jazz FM and BBC radio's "Jazz Notes".
