Jazz was one of the first genres of music that captured Roy’s imagination when he started listening to his fathers records as a child.
One of his first major influences was Nat ‘King’ Cole but as time went on his attention was specifically drawn to the jazz-funk bands of the late seventies and early eighties.
In 1986 he was mentored by renowned Jamaican saxophonist Andy Hamilton, and became the main vocalist in his band. For over ten years Roy performed alongside artists such as: Larry Coryell, David Murray, Scott Hamilton, Benny Waters, Al Casey, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Jean Toussaint, Jason Rebello, Dudu Pukwana and Spike Robinson.
Roy also recorded live at ‘Jazz Café’, London and at The Stables Theatre, Wavendon for BBC Radio. He performed at numerous international Jazz festivals, including: Brecon Jazz Festival, Cork Jazz Festival, Greenwich Festival, Soho Jazz Festival, The Madia (Milan), St Lucia Jazz Festival and at countless other venues nationally and internationally including the legendary ‘Ronnie Scott’s’ in London.
Thank you so much for recommending The Roy Forbes Quintet – he made our events at the ICC so memorable we have booked him for the past 2 years. Fantastic feedback every year from all guests. Thanks again for the jazz, soul and smiling faces! Sandra – corporate
Here are some songs which you may expect to find on Roy’s Jazz set list which includes many from Michael Bublé, Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole and many of the jazz greats and jazz standards including…