The Blue Piano LIVE CD Launch Party: Ricky Cool & The in Crowd

☆Summer Garden Party with Ricky Cool and the In Crowd☆

You are all in for a treat with this wonderful band in the summer sun of the Blue Piano's beautiful garden!

• This is an outdoor event

• Music kicks off 8pm

• Bar/restaurant open from 5pm, reservation recommended

• There is very limited seating so seats are not guaranteed
• Seating and tables in the garden cannot be reserved
• All dining bookings will be for the restaurant but can be moved outside (depending on availability) on the day

Check out this slick line up⬇️

Ricky Cool-Lead vocals | Harmonica | Saxes David Parry-Guitar | vocals Nigel Darvill-Keys Harrison Weston-Cottrell- Drums & percussion Simon Smith - Bass

This sharp suited combo fronted by Ricky Cool will be serving up an explosive dish of musical styles delivered with gusto & passion.

Feast on a delicious gumbo of red hot rhythm n' blues, bluebeat, ska & Jamaican grooves with a side order of mouth watering soul!

Ricky is regarded as one of the finest entertaining front men in the business...with his sophisticated line up of musicians, you're guaranteed a mesmerising afternoon of blended musical styles & original numbers combined with some great arrangements. So be prepared to be grooving to the music!

The boys will be thundering through a relentless set of upbeat tunes, serving up a sharp mixture of beats similar to those found in the clubs of Soho in the early years of Mod Mania.

This is going to be a brilliant evening of live music & where better to experience it than the beautiful garden surroundings of The Blue Piano!

Bios⬇️

Ricky Cool and the In Crowd formed in 2013 with the aim of presenting classic American rhythm and blues together with early Jamaican genres such as Bluebeat, Ska, and Reggae. This is the music that was championed by Mods in the early 1960’s here in the UK. Mods (or Modernists as they were previously known) were recognisable for their stylish dress and their love of the ‘hippest’ music coming from the States and Jamaica. Ricky Cool and the In Crowd perpetuate this through their sharp stage image and the passionate, entertaining presentation of their music.

"When we hit the stage we aim to engage the audience straight away and take them on journey covering some of best musical styles of all time. We play for dances, special events and sit down audiences. It doesn’t matter which. The music works for them all.”

As Ricky says, “The music we play is timeless and our show is enjoyed by young and old alike. The enjoyment we have on stage rubs off on our audience and a great time is had by one and all.”

RICKY COOL – LEAD VOCALS, HARMONICA AND SAXOPHONES The name Ricky Cool first burst onto the scene in the 1970’s, when Ricky Cool and the Icebergs became one of the first bands in the country to play swing style rhythm and blues, The name soon became established and Ricky’s reputation for delivering great, danceable music in a highly entertaining way began. Since then he has fronted and played with a number of bands presenting authentic American and Jamaican music. He co-founded The Big Town Playboys, the band that nurtured the talent of Mike Sanchez. Ricky Cool and the Rialtos became the nucleus of Robert Plant’s first Honeydrippers line up. In Top Rankin, he worked alongside some of Birmingham’s finest Reggae musicians and Kingston legend George Nightingale.

DAVID PARRY – GUITAR AND VOCALS

One of the most highly regarded guitarists on the Birmingham scene, David’s influences come from Jamaican music and an early passion for jazz rock guitar.He toured the UK, Europe and America with Steel Pulse founder member Basil Gabidon before settling down to session work with various bands and artists. His superb rhythm and highly original lead playing help give the In Crowd their unique sound.

NIGEL DARVILL - KEYBOARDS

Nigel’s impeccable musical pedigree dates back to his early days as a backing musician for the likes of Duane Eddy, Johnny Tillotson and Edwin Starr. He later toured with The Fine Young Cannibals, Ruby Turner and Ranking Roger from The Beat. His wide ranging knowledge of keyboard styles interacts brilliantly with David’s guitar work.

HARRISON WESTON – COTTRELL – DRUMS & PERCUSSION

During the last few years Harry has worked on his showmanship, and stage presence. Skills that he takes very seriously. With an unresting drive to be unique, Harry is always looking for new and inventive ways to develop both his musicality and skills as an entertainer. The goal is to provide the viewer something they have never seen before. His energy and enthusiasm shines through from the back of the stage and he is a joy to watch and listen to.

Check out Harry's YouTube channel: Next Level Chops

SIMON 'SMUDGE' SMITH - BASS

As a professional bass player of many years, Simon has worked extensively throughout the UK, Europe and the US, including a five year stint based in Los Angeles where his recording credits included Stevie Nicks, Sarah McLachlan, Wilson Phillips, Glen Ballard and Dave Stewart.

​He has worked in the live touring bands of artists as diverse as Linda Perry, Carl Barât, Carina Round and Tony Award winner Idina Menzel, performing at venues and events including Lincoln Center (New York), Ambassadors Theatre, Glastonbury Festival, South by Southwest and La Bâtie Festival (Geneva) amongst many others.

Now based in the Midlands, Simon is the bass player of choice for many artists. We are thrilled to have him in the ranks of Ricky Cool and the In Crowd.