Playhouse Theatre Weston: Step back in time to the 1980s with Shakatak

Four original members of the 1980s Jazz Funk band Shakatak perform their hits in a musically dynamic and entertaining show coming to The Playhouse Theatre.

English Jazz-Funk band Shakatak enjoyed enormous success during the 1980s with 12 UK chart entries, including the top ten singles "Night Birds" and "Down On The Street."

They have continued to tour internationally and their latest recording, "Across The World", was released in 2011.

Now the band which features all four original members Bill Sharpe, Jill Saward, Roger Odell and George Anderson, are off on their latest UK tour with a new entertaining show.

Shakatak have enjoyed a level of success and career longevity rarely paralleled in contemporary music.

Because of the nature of their music, their fan base is far reaching whilst always retaining an underground element.

This paradox sees the band, who are known primarily as serious Jazz/Funk musicians, enjoying both high cult status and instant recognition as a household name.

After a number of successful top 20 singles in the UK, the band went on to score unprecedented international success with the release of the classic "Nightbirds" recording.

This success was repeated with the top 10 hit "Down on the Street" and the award-winning video established the band's personnel of Jill Saward (lead vocals), Bill Sharpe (keyboards), Keith Winter (guitar), George Anderson (bass guitar) and Roger Odell (drums).

The long run success was brought to a temporary halt with Keith became seriously ill and was forced to stop playing but he did recover and now remains very much a part of the Shakatak web design team.

Eventually the band reorganised themselves and the remaining four original members now augment their shows with Jacqui Hicks or Debbie Bracknell and Alan Wormald.

Shakatak continue touring as a vibrant live act, combining astute musicianship with a sense of fun.

Shakatak will be at the Playhouse, Weston-super-Mare, on Friday 28 September at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced at £19.50 are available on 01934 645 544 or online at http://tinyurl.com/677l7bh

Date: Friday, September 28, 2012