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Savanna came together in 1979. The musicians had met While hanging out at a local Roller Skating club and meeting at various clubs like the Royalty in Southgate, Crackers, Lyceum,Global Village,ZERO 6, All have now passed into Clubland legend.They were inspired by bands like F.B.I,Light of the world, Hi-Tension and Heatwave. Bassist Raymond Graham Jacobs (Sammy) from Tottenham, Orphy Robinson Vibes,Keyboards,Trumpet, Jeffrey Durrant Drums,Percussion from Stoke newington became the nucleus of the band with David Taylor on Guitar,Julian on Drums,Jimmy Clovey and Trevor Bowen forming the Horn section.The three friends had previously played together in another local band that later went on to have chart success as "Second Image".the band then went through a few changes before deciding on the final member Guitarist Leroy Osbourne and becoming a quartet.Leroy was invited to join the band when he was spotted Jamming in a West End music Shop where Sammy worked. The new quartet spent 18 months writing and rehearsing doing a few local shows trying out material before starting to establish a sound and style of their own.The next step was for the band to record some demo material. This was Fortunately provided courtesy of Orphy winning an Employee of the month scheme at The Hard Rock Cafe where Orphy was employed as an accounts clerk, First prize being a days recording in a studio in The famous West end Tin pan alley of Denmark street.This first demo was picked up by local DJ Michael Thompson who then arranged for the band to work with a local Production team led by local music impressario Joe Williams. Williams had already been influential launching the careers of Brit funk Bands Light of the World,David Grant,Incognito. Initially Savanna played music based in a more Jazz Funk instrumental style that was influenced by Artist such as Brass Construction,Earth wind and Fire,George Benson as well as their other North london neighbourhood bands like Light of the world,Central Line,Mirage, The Savanna sound differed however by their use of the Vibraphone as a dominant voice this meant a more distinctive approach was achieved by Savanna. Leroy Osbourne brought other ideas and options into the pot, Revealing a voice influenced by such vocal giants as Donny Hathaway,Stevie Wonder and George Benson,Sam Cooke. Savanna decided to base material around his vocals, Another demo was recorded this time at Hollywood Studios in Clapton this led to Savanna being offered a recording deal from Independent Record Label R & B Records who had just achieved national chart success with the group "Imagination"The first single "I can't turn away" was recorded with a top notch Horn section added played by Orphy and Jeffs musical mentor Claude Deppa Trpt, Ray Carless Sax and Mark Bassie Trombone.Other musicians were brought in the Keyboards courtesy of Peter Hinds "Light of the world" fame.The drums were played by Mel Gaynor a schoolfriend of Leroy's who went on to take the drum chair in the Rock Group "Simple Minds" On release "I can't turn away"achieved No 1 in many Dance music charts internationally and proved a dancefloor smash, While also achieving a high chart position in the UK National charts. Savanna supported the single with many well received Live shows and their P.As were a highlight of the UK club scene. For the second single "Never let you go" Savanna injected a little bit of their more Jazzier leanings into the proceedings.Bringing in Geoff Dunn on Drums,Ian Lynn on Synths plus another track the Latin influenced instrumental "Rain" a favourite from live performances was also recorded but never released with extra percussion from Gee Bello "Light of the World" and Ian Lynn again on Synth duty. "Never let you go" also went straight to the top of the Dance music charts, influencing many musicians and singers both internationally and in the UK who came along later. The second single also attained a high national chart position in the UK, however following significant changes at the record company,The relationship with the company changed.Savanna also went through a line up change themselves with the departure of vocalist Leroy Osbourne who went on to have a very successful session career performing and recording with Artist such as SADE,Robert Palmer,Wham,George Michael,Jeff Lorber amongst many others. New members were sought and new demos recorded. Morris and Bernie Michaels from the band MIRAGE were involved at one stage.The band parted company with R & B soon after. A new permanent member keyboardist Whyman Baker an old schoolfriend of Jeff joined The Band and saw a fruitful period of writing within the band,Leaving a strong Catalogue of work for another time? However Savanna finally disbanded in 1983. Orphy who had through the Savanna period becoming increasingly busy on the session circuit recording with many artist like IMAGINATION on their no 1 single,"In and out of Love" plus many Artist including Total Contrast,Hudson Brothers,Working week,Mica Paris etc while finally changing to a more Jazz orientated path in the mid eighties with the ground breaking bands of the Jazz Warriors and top Jazz musician Courtney Pine which led on to his own successful recording career with legendary Jazz label Blue Note records in the the U.S. Sammy and Jeffrey put together a new band named LW5. LW5 went on to record an album for Virgin Records and toured successfully supporting heavyweights like THE COMMODORES,Frankie Beverley and MAZE during the eighties, before deciding to move on to the next phase of their careers.Their reputation as writers and producers have kept them busy at the forefront of the industry and they continue to produce new artist to this day.
"Savanna are undoubtedly destined to become innovators in the rapidly developing 'Black'music scene"."Savanna's debut single "I can't turn away" has catapulted four unknown,highly dedicated young musicians from obscurity to a group with a sound on caliber with any American Studio group BUT INDIVIDUAL ENOUGH TO BE THEIR OWN"
We wanted to let you know of a very special event that's been set up to remember our brother Paul 'Tubbs' Williams from Light of the World and a founding member of Incognito.After the passing Tubbs in early January, his friends Jean Paul 'Bluey' Maunick (Incognito) Kenny Wellington, Breeze McKrieth, David Baptist (Light of the World Founding members/Beggar and Co) set up a benefit in remembrance of this extraordinary man and musician.The Benefit will be doing a one of show at Dingwalls, Camden on the 9th April 2007 with many of the UKs musical community coming together to pay tribute and to celebrate Tubbs influence on the people he touched in his life and the remarkable input he contributed to music around the globe.The show will feature the following artists and many more will be added along the way.Incognito, Light of the Worlds Founding Members/Beggar and Co, Central Line, Orphy Robinson, Courtney Pine, Junior Giscombe, Leee John, Noel McKoy, Chris Hill, Dez Parkes, Jazzotech and many others.Tickets are available now at Seetickets.com or at the following link:http://www.seetickets.com/see/price.asp?code=235760& ;userid=Priced at only £20 with all proceeds being donated to the Williams family and Liquid Spillers, Tubbs own impressive studio and educational complex in Rotterdam NL.We hope many of you will join us in this very special one of show so spread the world people...