| ALAN DOWSON
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Alan, known as “Hank” to his friends, because of his love for playing Shadows music, (he even has the glasses) has played guitar for most of his life, but that’s only a part of his many talents. He is also an accomplished Bass guitarist, singer and of course,ukulele player. When he does have any spare time, in between playing for artistes such as Gerry Marsden, Chip Hawkes (The Tremeloes), performing with TUKUO around the world and playing in his own successful band in the UK, he teaches guitar in his home town of Hull, East Yorkshire, but of course he enjoys nothing more than strutting his stuff on the stage. Where ever that may be. Watch out! He may be closer than you think!! |
| DOUG HENNING
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Doug Henning or ‘Big Daddy’ is the walking history of British Pop and Rock music having helped found the whole scene with other legends such as Clem Cattini, Big Jim Sullivan, Mick Green etc and with Jim Marshall helped design the first series of the now world famous “Marshall” amplifiers and speakers. Has worked as Bass player and MD for such people as Diana Ross, The Three Degrees,’Cats’ in Londons West End and under Peter Moss, “The News Huddlines” for 27 years at the BBC in London. A great character, his most famous phrase is “Your wish is my invoice”! |
| TONY YOUNG
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Tony Young or ‘Tony Cool’ is not only a great Ukulele player but also plays piano, guitar and bass, plus of course singing. He is Musical Director for the world famous “Gerry and the Pacemakers” completing worldwide tours every year and just back from Australia. He has a great sense of humour and musicality and when hurriedly dressing for a show, somebody said to him, “Tony, do you know your shirt’s hanging out?” “No!” he replied,”but you hum it and I’ll play it!”. |
| SARAH DALE
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Sarah Dale is sometimes called ‘The Diva’ not because of her dressing-room demands but because she can really hit those high soprano notes. She is a beautiful and accomplished musician working as a player and singer all over the UK. She plays various instruments as well as Ukulele and is a much sought after and respected vocal-coach. Her favourite phrase is “I’ll do it!”,Italian, Russian, “I’ll do it!”. The only exception was a song for the Orchestras tour of China….”I’ll TRY it!”. |
| ANDY WILD
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Andy Wild known to all (and his E-mail address) as Unhandy Andy! He is a true UK musician in the fact that he is mad enough to try anything or go anywhere and drop, trip or fall over anything on the way, hence the nickname ‘Unhandy’. A phenomenal pianist as well as Ukulele he is always in demand throughout the UK and Europe. He is the spokesman of the group for awkward things; on attempting to warm up a croissant in a toaster he persuaded the hotel staff that the now burning toaster was their fault as the croissants they provided were too fat! |
| LESLEY CUNNINGHAM
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Lesley Cunningham, like Alan, is one of the quiet ones of the group but this disguises an incredible musical ability. She plays all the complicated harmony Ukulele lines within the arrangements as well as vocalising, also in harmony. She has worked as a Ukulele player and singer all over the UK and Europe from her base in London. With her dark good looks and smiling demeanor she is a person of few words one of them being ‘Yes’. “Lesley, would you take the most complicated bit of harmony ever written for a Ukulele?” ‘Yes’ she replies, and she does, and perfectly. |
| ALAN SWEENEY
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Alan Sweeney is ‘the baby’ of the group and the darling of the ladies with his good looks and blonde hair. But don’t let that fool you, coming from Scotland Alan is a phenomenal guitarist as well as Ukulele player and as such was booked by Peter Moss for the recent Musical Starlights European Tour where he raised the roof every night by jumping on stage and soloing on “We Will Rock You”. He is famous for being able to play every legendary rock riff i.e. ‘Smoke on the Water’, ‘Whole Lotta Love’, etc. on a soprano Ukulele. |
| PETER BAYNES
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Peter Baynes is sometimes referred to as ‘Bobby’ due to his uncanny resemblance to Bob Dylan. He is a pianist of repute and also a trained singer as well as a great solo Ukulele player. He works around the world as a player and singer with such people as Neil Innes and at venues like the Edinburgh Festival. His great strength is his quick dry humour and his incredible solo work on Ukulele which matches Alans playing so well. Together they are the Jimmy Page and the Jeff Beck of the Ukulele world. |
ADDITIONAL PLAYERS
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| JANE JACKSON
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Jane can now claim to be the youngest new recruit of TUKUO but don’t let her age fool you, she is a veteran of the Scottish cabaret circuit having been press-ganged by her musician mother into performing on stage at the tender age of five years old singing “Donald, where’s your Troosers”!
Educated at Strathclyde University she is also a talented guitarist and singer as well as a fine Ukulele player. We welcome her musical prowess as well as her youthful good looks and are pleased to have her in the Awkestra. Please don’t clap too long at the end of the show as she has to get up early to go to school the next day |
| KYTSUN WOLFE
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Kytson Wolfe sometimes known as ‘Cliff’ is a singer and entertainer of vast experience, putting on and headlining shows all over the UK. He is a star in his own right and lived and worked in Nashville USA, singing and producing for 12 years. He is often called the ‘Peter Pan’ of the group not only because of his uncanny resemblance to Cliff Richard but because of his extremely healthy lifestyle. He was recently asked for ID when buying apple juice and oatcakes in a health food store. |
