Tony O'Malley

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on Wednesday, 09 April 2014 08:26

Tony O'Malley is a stalwart of the British music scene, best known perhaps as a founder member of the soul band Kokomo.

Kokomo wowed audiences in the 1970s with their 'saxy' brand of soul-funk. They recorded three albums, touring the UK, Europe and America in their own right and supporting The Average White Band on several tours. Bob Dylan even invited them to New York to work with him on his album 'Desire'. They eventually split in 1982, but Tony had been working hard long before Kokomo, and still continues touring, writing and guesting with many great working musicians.

Tony went on to develop a unique jazz/funk style as a solo performer, performing regularly at Ronnie Scott's and the 606 Club in Chelsea. He's recorded seven solo albums, and is well known on the international live music circuit. He regularly works with the cream of British musicians, including Andy Newmark and Neil Hubbard.

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Yes, Tony has done the lot – jazz, funk, soul and pop – and is equally at ease on the big stage and at smaller, more intimate clubs. He played all over Europe in the 80s and 90s, finally settling in Brussels in 1999. The European scene suited him, and he moved farther into the continent, ending up in Tblisi, Georgia for a number of years, where he recorded a couple of solo albums with local musicians.

But he’s back in the UK now and settled with the family in Oxfordshire, still working as hard as ever, so much so that 2015 is looking like a busy year for the keyboard maestro. Following a brief reunion for Kokomo earlier in 2014, there are more dates planned for the group in the coming year.

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So, if you are lucky enough to see him on any of his dates in 2015, you’ll discover a humble, greatly-talented keyboardist and singer, belting out standards, original interpretations and self-penned favourites with equal gusto and precision, at ease with his life and his talents - a truly original entertainer.

Watch this space…

Tracks

Tony O'Malley on Soundcloud

Website

www.tonyomalley.com

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