Ian Shaw and James Pearson's Early Xmas Cinema Show

Ian Shaw and James Pearson's Early Xmas Cinema Show at Soul Mama Stratford.

Singer, broadcaster and witty raconteur, Ian Shaw returns to Soul Mama with pianist James Pearson (Ronnie Scott's Allstars, Cleo Laine, Polly Gibbons, Wynton Marsalis). They will play classics from Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, Stevie Wonder and the Great American Songbook, plus some early seasonal film favourites.

Joining Ian for this Soul Mama show is Ronnie Scott's musical director James Pearson. Their musical partnership stretches back more than 25 years. James was Ian's MD for nearly ten years and appeared on Ian's Soho Stories as well as many live radio broadcasts.

Ian Shaw is a jazz vocalist with BBC Jazz Awards in 2007 and 2004 and Parliamentary Jazz Awards in 2018, alongside nominations from the Jazz FM Awards 2013 and Downbeat Magazine 2017. He has released internationally acclaimed albums and is a popular performer both in the UK and the US. Shaw's career in performance began on the Alternative Cabaret Circuit, alongside performers such as Julian Clary, Rory Bremner and Jo Brand.

James Pearson is one of the country's respected musicians. His work covers contemporary music, jazz and classical. He graduated from the Guildhall School, having completed his degree and the Advanced Solo Studies Course. Whilst at college he studied with Robert Saxton, Francis Shaw, Peter Bithell and James Gibb, and regularly performed with the symphony orchestra, including a concert at the Barbican with Takemitsu. James has broadcast on major radio and television networks. Classic FM broadcast his concert of Rachmaninov's 2nd piano concerto, and BBC Radio 2 broadcast his performance of the Gershwin Piano Concerto and Rhapsody in Blue. He was the pianist in the Steve Martland Band. His work as a jazz musician has taken him all over the world. His piano playing and arrangements can be heard on over 50 albums.

Amongst the many people James has worked with are:
- Dame Cleo Laine
- Maria Ewing
- Marian Montgomery
- Petula Clark
- The John Wilson Orchestra
- Elvin Jones
- Wynton Marsalis
- Joss Stone
- Dave Stewart
- Buddy Greco
- Johnny Griffin
- Joseph Horowitz
- Richard Rodney Bennett
- Ray Davies
- Polly Gibbons
- Nigel Kennedy
- Robbie Williams
- Rufus Wainwright
- Gregory Porter
- Imelda May
- Jeff Beck
- Paul McCartney