The Best Guide for the Portsmouth Area

If you were lucky enough to be in Cascades Shopping Centre this lunchtime then you would have been treated to a performance from the brilliant 2005 X Factor runner up, Andy Abraham, showcasing some of the amazing Big Band hits from his current tour. 

The crowd were treated to Andy's renditions of the classic swing hits, Cry Me A River and Moondance, as well as a performance of the Al Green classic Let's Stay Together, a track from his new album based on songs and artists that have inspired him and contributed to his love of music.  The album is currently available to buy in special addition, a simultaneous deluxe release of a book, twelve track album and documentary DVD. 

If you weren't at Cascades today, have no fear, on June 6^th Andy will be at the Kings Theatre, Southsea, with the whole show, The History of the Big Bands which, complete with 13 piece big band, showcases some of the greatest compositions in the world of swing with a musical tour of the genre, spanning 5 decades of some of the greatest performers and achievements in music, all presented by the harmonious and hypnotising tones of Andy's unforgettably soulful voice.

The History of the Big Bands promises an outstanding evening of high energy, virtuoso musicianship and amazing hits in one fantastic show which is sure to have you clicking your fingers and tapping your feet along, Big Band fan or not.

This tour is not the sort of thing you would expect from Andy, usually compared to artists such as Luther Vandross and other soulful legends, but he promises it will be a lot of fun as he guides the audience through a journey of swing throughout the ages, celebrating the likes of Frank Sinatra and Glenn Miller, in recognition of what such greats have contributed to the music industry.

I spoke to Andy just before his performance to ask him how he was finding the tour and Portsmouth to which he replied that this was actually his second stint at the Kings Theatre, his first being in 2008 with his an Evening With Andy Abraham tour.  He told me how much he loved our city, and how passionate he found the people in it, as well as expressing the huge respect he had for the Portsmouth FC fans, who he described as the "best supporters in all the leagues". 

Although only in Portsmouth for a short time to promote his one night only Kings Theatre performance, Andy told me that after his Cascade taster he was off to Vocademy, the part-time singing school developed to give youngsters the encouragement they need to get up on stage, to host a Q&A session to reveal all the behind the scenes X Factor secrets, as well as discussing his life since taking part, and his current History of the Big Bands tour.

Andy Abraham has sold in excess of half a million records with 3 albums, 3 UK wide tours and a recent stint on stage in London's West End.  In 2008 Andy was chosen to represent England at the Eurovision Song Contest, singing to 600 million viewers worldwide.

"Leading the vocals ...is Andy Abraham, proving that he has a talent that should easily outlive any celebrity he may have earned on the X Factor seven years ago." THE STAGE

Andy Abraham's History of the Big Bands is coming to The Kings Theatre on Wednesday 6^th June 2012, 7:30pm, Tickets: £19.  KC conc. available

The Kings Theatre, Albert Road, Southsea, Portsmouth PO5 2QJ Box Office 02392 828282.  Groups: 02392 852208 / 852232 .  Website www.kings-southsea.com.  Social: Twitter.com/kingssouthsea.  Facebook.com/kingstheatre