The Blue Piano Live: Ricky Cool & The In Crowd

Saturday 8th February 2025

☆The Blue Piano LIVE Presents: Ricky Cool and the In Crowd☆

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME...

• Red Hot Rhythm n' Blues

• Scintillating Ska & Bluebeat

• Sensational Soul

• Jamaican grooves

• Afro Cuban rhythms, delivered in the Band’s own inimitable style.🔥

• Doors 5pm

• Bar/restaurant open 5pm

• Music kicks off 7pm-ish

Ricky Cool and the In Crowd

Check out this slick crew👇🏾

Drum roll please Harry

🥁★🥁★🥁★🥁★🥁

🎙🎷Ricky Cool & Harmonicas

🎸🎙David ‘Deeko’ Parry

🎹Nigel Darvill

🎸Simon ‘Smudge’ Smith

🥁Harrison Weston-Cottrell

• Tickets £10 adv| MOTD

***PLEASE NOTE***

* A reservation for dining is recommended.

**Please be advised SEATS ARE NOT GUARANTEED **

The Band members are all seasoned musicians with excellent pedigrees, who have worked with artists including Ruby Turner, The Beat, Gregory Isaacs, Carina Round, Linda Perry & Fine Young Cannibals!

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.