Josie Frater - BIO
Born in Glasgow Josie performed from and early age, playing guitar, violin & singing from age 6 or 7. Starting semi-pro aged 14 cutting her teeth in Scotland’s clubs following in her singing mother's footsteps. Josie is also a trained actress and studied with the Strathclyde University Theatre Group, moving to London in her teens to attend Drama College (Middlesex University).
Josie then decided to focus totally on music and after attending London’s Goldsmiths College Jazz & Pop Course, was accepted on the prestigious Guildhall School of Music’s Post Graduate Jazz & Studio Music course.
This culminated in being featured vocalist with US jazz trumpet star Randy Brecker and the Guildhall Big Band at world-renowned Ronnie Scott’s club in London.
Josie’s Influences: Joni Mitchell / Al Jarreau / Magma / Brook Benton / Flora Purim / Ella Fitzgerald / Rickie Lee Jones / Pat Metheny.
After graduating from the Guildhall, Josie became a freelance vocalist combining pop/media sessions and jazz gigs as well as vocal coaching.
She spent 18 months running & programming Ziggy’s Jazz Club in London’s West End featuring the cream of jazz talent in London in the early 90s.
Josie’s collaborations & Credits include: singer/ broadcaster Janey Lee Grace (BBC Radio 2/George Michael), Brendan Power (Riverdance), Randy Brecker, UK jazz sax player Theo Travis, The Soul Immigrants and various media sessions including BBC Biker Grove (Simon Etchell).
After meeting (and marrying) drummer/composer Steve Taylor, Josie started writing songs with Steve and co-founded THE RUNNERS. This world-jazz-groove influenced outfit released 2 albums on own label i2i records/New Note. Playing live at Ronnie Scott’s, Jazz Café, Glasgow Mayfest, Cardiff Summer Haze, Cambridge Boat Race and gaining national radio play on Radio 2, Jazz FM, and gaining fans in Jools Holland and West End Theatre producer Bill Kenwright. The Runners gained recognition for the originality, beauty and virtuoso quality of their music.
Josie is currently recording material for a her new solo album and completing work on the 3rd Runners album.
Contact: i2irecords@ukonline.co.uk
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Site last update 3/11/09
All site content, text, music, copyright control S Taylor/J Frater 2006-2009
