From early beginnings Ciyo was taught to play the guitar at the age of nine by his late father Lorenzo Alexander Brown after which he studied Classical guitar for a short period. Throughout his illustrious career, Ciyo has participated in several different aspects of music to include theatre musicals, educational seminars and workshops, studio recordings and live performances. Ciyo’s career continues to take very interesting turns and he has increasing been asked to appear in musical settings in popular television series. This development has seen him appear in ‘Landscapers’ alongside Olivia Coleman, the period drama ‘Sanditon’ with the likes of Rose Williams, Crystal Clarke, Kris Marshall, Anne Reid, Jack Fox, Charlotte Spencer and Leo Suter, ‘A spy among friends’ alongside Damian Lewis and a live television performance on ‘The last leg’ alongside Alex Brooker, Josh Widdicombe and Adam Hills.
He has worked alongside a parade of internationally acclaimed artists. These have included Meli’sa Morgan, Glen Jones, Mica Paris, Melba Moore, Shirley Jones, Jean Carne, China Moses, YolanDa Brown, Omar, Linda Lewis, Tony Momrelle, Tara Minton, Jo Harrop, Judy Jackson, Imaani, Suggs, Caron Wheeler, Pauline Catlin-Reid (Shezzie), Soul II Soul, Jazz vocal sensation Vimala Rowe, Ann Nesby (Sounds of Blackness), Ruby Turner, Royal Wedding vocalist Paul Lee, Annie Lennox, Damian Flood, Leo Richardson, Alex Webb, Jason Rebello, Soca Queen Alison Hinds, Jazz Warriors, Tomorrow’s Warriors, Paul Weller, Talvin Singh, LCGC, East London Gospel Choir, Chevelle Franklin, Andy Hamilton, Chakademus and Pliers, The I-Threes – Marcia Griffith, Judy Mowatt and Rita Marley, Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra, Urban Soul Orchestra, Alex Wilson, Sonny Okusons, internationally acclaimed jazz guitarists Jim Mullen, Martin Taylor, Giorgio Serci, Nigel Price, Dave Cliff, Femi Temowo, legendary James Brown saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis, Sly and Robbie, Freddie McGregor, Little Roy, Horace Andy, Steel Pulse and Carleen Anderson. Ciyo has also been appointed as Musical Director for a range or coveted artists to include the likes of Ronnie Laws, Billy Paul, Loose Ends, Hil St Soul, Johnny Clarke, Greg Kofi-Brown of Osibisa fame and Ann Nesby of Sounds of Blackness fame.
An in-demand musicians’ musician, Ciyo’s ongoing collaborative works cover a range of genres. His talent has enhanced iconic popular music alongside artists such as Roachford, Raghav, Shara Nelson, Soweto Kinch, to the ‘new psychedelia’ Brit-pop/folk influenced music of Bishi. Ciyo’s Jazz guitar contributions are also present in the genres of reggae and lover’s rock and can be found in his live and recorded work with many artists including John Holt, Carroll Thompson, Janet Kay, JC Lodge, Errol Dunkley, The Original Aces, Ken Boothe, Sugar Minott, Frankie Paul, Victor Romero-Evans, Ginger Williams, Christine McNab, Paul Dawkins, tradition, Bob Andy, Legendary Jamaican guitarist Earl ‘Chinna Smith’, Barry Biggs, Laurel Aitkin, Dennis Bovell, Cornell Campbell, Kiddus-I, Prince Jazzbo, Lorna ‘Sutara’ Gayle, Pam Hall, Jimmy Lindsay, Earl 16, Lukie D, Bushman, Susan Cadogan, Lorna Bennett, Kofi, Caron Wheeler, Pauline Catlin-Reid, Aleighcia Scott, Winston Reedy, Christopher Ellis and internationally acclaimed vocalist Luciano. Ciyo is credited as being THE first musician to perform Reggae at the Jazz Café, The Hideaway, The Pizza Express Jazz Club in Dean Street, The Hampstead Jazz Club and The Boisdale of Canary Wharf.
Ciyo has toured with Courtney Pine, Byron Wallen, Ronnie Laws, Jean Toussaint, Maxi Priest, Beres Hammond, Horace Andy, Cleveland Watkiss, Steel Pulse, Alex Webb’s Café Society Swing All Stars and a host of others to include Royalty in Lady Gabriella Windsor. He counts quality time spent with George Benson, Phil Upchurch, Martin Taylor and Joe Pass as being amongst his most inspiring experiences.
No comments:
Post a Comment