Parry Ray at Map Cafe

Parry Ray grew up in a traditional British Indian family in north London listening to a rich and varied soundtrack featuring Elvis, Michael Jackson, Ravi Shankar, Chaka Khan, Nina Simone, Chet Baker, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. She started singing to the radio at the age of 3. By 5 she was starring in school choirs. By the age of 16 she was bunking off revision to audition and perform at Soho clubs.

But - complicating matters for her at the time - Parry was always more than a pretty girl and a top voice. She was also smart. After attending leading London school St Paul's Girls, Parry was propelled down an academic route and ended up studying Physics at Bristol University. After her BSc, she went onto attain an MPhil in solid state physics... but there was the distinct feeling that something in her life was missing....

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Parry Ray grew up in a traditional British Indian family in north London listening to a rich and varied soundtrack featuring Elvis, Michael Jackson, Ravi Shankar, Chaka Khan, Nina Simone, Chet Baker, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. She started singing to the radio at the age of 3. By 5 she was starring in school choirs. By the age of 16 she was bunking off revision to audition and perform at Soho clubs.

But - complicating matters for her at the time - Parry was always more than a pretty girl and a top voice. She was also smart. After attending leading London school St Paul's Girls, Parry was propelled down an academic route and ended up studying Physics at Bristol University. After her BSc, she went onto attain an MPhil in solid state physics... but there was the distinct feeling that something in her life was missing.

To the confusion of her family, Parry abandoned science and became a jazz singer. Dropping the lab coat and goggles for mini-skirts and high heels, Parry hit the London scene with a vengeance and formed a trio led by top Latin pianist John Crawford, currently featuring bassist Richard Sadler and Chris Nickolls on drums.

Parry Ray has performed at the legendary Ronnie Scott's club in London and key venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Pizza Express Knightsbridge, Boisdales, The Bull's Head (Barnes) and the Edinburgh and Glasgow Jazz Festivals. Parry and her band have also featured extensively on BBC Radio 2, Smooth FM and live on radio throughout France, Holland and Canada.

Parry has just put the finishing touches to her first solo pop album "7 DAYS". Co-songwriters and producers on the album are Andy Love and Neil Athale. Andy Love’s writing and producing credits notably include the Paloma Faith hit “Upside Down” and the B side “Technicolour”. He has also written music for TV and has composed and produced all the theme and background music for shows such as "The X-Factor", "America's Got Talent" and "Britain's Got Talent".

Neil Athale has worked with Matt Cardle (Columbia), Paloma Faith (Epic), Ruby Goe (Notting Hill), Georgia Mason (Universal/Kid Gloves), Clement Marfo and the Frontline (Warners), Lawson (Polydor), Encore (Island), The Good Natured (Parlaphone), Lexy (SB Mgt) and Mike Hough (2011 MOBO Nominee). Neil is also very active in syncs and soundtracks, his music have been used in a variety of TV shows including The Voice UK and on global advertising campaigns including Samsung Mobile Phones. Neil is currently working as lead composer on Wasteland (Moli/Mischief films), a new British feature film set for release in 2013.

Doors 7pm. Performance from 8pm - 11pm. Admission: £10 Advance booking Recommended : 020 7916 0544. [email protected]

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