ESP Collective - The nine-piece band formed in late 2005 by teacher by day - Carlton Headley. ESP stands for The Eclectic SEN (that’s Special Educational Needs) Project, Band members have previously played with some big names; Saxophonist Cartlon Headley toured with Jamiroquai. Winston Delandro on guitar has worked alongside Eric Clapton and the soulful words of Laila have backed Nicollete of Massive Attack.
Carlton Headley: Songwriter, Lyricist, Composer, Arranger, Band Leader, Saxophonist and Flautist;
Born in London in the late 20 th Century. He was introduced to classical piano music at the age of 13 by his chemistry teacher who would give him lessons on the piano. On leaving secondary education he studied Jazz piano and Saxophone at the Weekend Arts College (WAC) under the direction of Ian Carr a flugal horn and trumpet playing composer. Through Ian Carr, Carlton was introduced to ‘Jazz-rock fusion’ studying legends such as ‘ Herbie Hancock’, ‘Weather Report’, ‘Chick Corea ’ and of course Ian Carr himself. In 2005 he completed a BA in Jazz degree at Middlesex University and in 2006 he became a qualified teacher of music.
Among other artistic endeavours Carlton has performed with the Carol Straker Dance Foundation Company - dancing and performing saxophone simultaneously; performed with Noel Mckoy ; supported Jamiroquai on his ‘Return of the Space Cowboy’ UK tour with the band Son of the Original; he was a founder member of The Akwaaba People; performed in the musical Simply Heavenly at the young Vic in 2004, and most recently formed the ESP collective in 2005.
Jonjo Grisdale , Piano/Keyboards;
Born March 1985 and began learning music at the age of six, studying classical piano. During school and college he played in numerous bands of different genres and at the age of 18 discovered that jazz was his main passion. He is currently near the end of a degree in jazz, studying under the tutelage of Malcolm Edmonstone and Nikki Iles (who both lecture at Middlesex University ). He has toured and recorded with funk, soul and pop bands and has been involved in television and live radio shows.
Jordan Koumartzis , Bass player;
Born in 1983 and comes from the North of Greece. He studied music in the “Synchronous Conservatorium of Thessalonica†and his bass teacher was Manolis Sideridis . After graduating, he started gigging with various funk and jazz bands and touring around Greece as a sideman of Manolis Rasoulis . In 2005, he moved to London to study Jazz at Middlesex University and to get involved in the British music scene. In December, 2005 he joined ESP Collective and a year later, he also co-founded the band The Funkaholics .
Funky Pierre , Drums/percussion:
Born in France ( Brittany ), he started playing drums when he was 13. Specialising in jazz-funk drumming. As a teenager Pierre was into playing rock music. He studied at the Agostini drum School and at The Conservatoire (Jazz Section). Pierre graduated as ‘Drummer of the year 2005’ at the London College of Music and Media (LCMM), Drumtech and Thames valley university (TVU).
n 2001 he moved to London and he is currently performing with Anna Bengo ( Indie Soul Movement); Batusamba Collective and he also played for a year with Christian Fontana from Ubiquity Records; Aesthetic Sounds and recorded an album with Mezclapura.This versatile musician is working as a session drummer and for cover bands of all idioms. "Funky Pierre’s" influences include John Blackwell, Omar Hackim , Jamal Thomas, David Garibaldi, Mike Clark, Christian Vander, Paco Sery …Pierre is a well respected music teacher who specialises in teaching drums and percussion in four London schools; he also organises drum workshops for children and adults. For more info visit his website at www.myspace.com/funkypierre
Guest Vocal Artistes
Laila
Laila Cohen is a singer and songwriter. Inspired by Ray Charles, Dinah Washington and Prince, among other artists. She was first introduced to recording music when asked to record with Robert Plant on the Manic Nirvana Album at the age of 15. She has since been improving herself by running vocal workshops and showcases with young people in various projects throughout London .
Laila released her first underground garage track in 2002 under ‘No U Turn records’ with the tune 'Giving up on love', she has been working on an acoustic neo-soul project with Clark Berger Flamenco Jazz guitarist, gigging in and around London at various venues
She has recorded with the likes of Noel McKoy , Jon e cash ( Da Black Ops), Kid Africa ...among other artists and producers and has toured with - Nicolette of Massive Attack and Marcus Begg (Jaded album), and now The ESP Collective. Laila is currently writing and recording with various producers; Guynamite , Dego McFarlane ( 4Hero ) and Don-e.
You can listen to her soulful broken-beat productions - www.myspace.com/lailalanduk and her Neo-soul acoustic tracks on - www.myspace.com/lailacohen
Mazen
Formerly of Akwaaba People (Funk 4 the People by the People)...who supported such Funk Masters as Bootsy Collins and Tower of Power . For a more in-depth profile you can visit his website at. www.myspace.com/warhouseproject
Guest Musicians
Roberto Manzin
Born on the 8 th of July in Rome in 1966, he studied classical music at " Civica Scuola di Musica Villa Simonetta " in Milan and taught himself to play jazz.
He plays all of the Saxophones as well as the Clarinet, performing Jazz, Latin, Funk, Blues and Classical music. He has performed with the likes of the late legendary James Brown, Jason Robello and many more.
For more information. you can visit his website at www.robertomanzin.com
Winston Delandro
A free spirit and an enigma who has had the opportunity to work with some greatly acclaimed artists, such as; Joan Armatrading , Billy Ocean, Eric Clapton, Boney M and Mica Paris, to name but a few. He l oves to do live performances, and regularly plays at a variety of top London venues. However, he also produces music for TV programmes and has had a number of successful songs featured on a variety of different films. For additional information on Winston just ‘Google’ Winston Delandro .