Anna Reay

Description

Anna Reay is an incredibly versatile singer, who performs a vast array of musical styles. Anna is based in the North East of England but her theatre shows and cabaret performances take her throughout the UK, Europe and on cruise ships.
That is not the end of her talents! Anna, together with The Anna Reay Band, provides an outstanding option for weddings and corporate events. The Anna Reay Band is an extremely talented and popular North East function band providing entertainment for weddings, parties, functions and events in the North East region & throughout the country. With a variety of p ... ackages to suit the client, world class musicians and a service second to none, you will be assured of an event to remember.
Read More

Biography

BIOGRAPHY
International vocalist, Anna Reay, is an incredibly versatile singer who performs a vast array of musical styles including soul, blues & jazz as well as musical theatre, classical and popular music.
Anna started in the music business singing in several local bands while she was studying for her degree in music. It wasn’t long before she started up her own band and when completing her degree. Anna also pursued her glittering solo career by performing in cabaret across the country, Europe and on cruise ships. She never fails to entertain her audience, whether it is performing ... an aria in front of thousands at the Sunderland football ground, ’The Stadium of Light’ or singing to more intimate audiences at jazz gigs & cabaret venues.
She regularly headlines for P&O Cruise Liners and has worked for Fred Olsen, Saga and Brittany Ferries. Her trips have taken her from Canada and Greenland to Cape Town and many places in between. Other solo performances have taken her for one off appearances in places such as Spain, Finland, Gibralta, Jersey & Tenerife. Anna also includes a Shania Twain and Country Act which has proved popular all around the UK, Spain and Helsinki.
Anna has become renowned for her versatility and ability to change styles and genres to suit the audience. This led to the successful show at the Whitley Bay Playhouse, in November 2013. ‘Great Ladies of Song’ which celebrated great singers including Maria Callas, Billy Holiday, Etta James, Dusty Springfield, Whitney Huston and many more.
Following a short break after the birth of her first baby, she dazzled once again with a one off performance of her most recent show ‘One Enchanted Evening’ which was performed to a packed house at the Sage Gateshead, Hall 2 on 14th Feb 2016.
Plans are currently in place to perform this show at other prestigious venues across the North East region and the UK.
In 2006 and 2007 Anna was nominated and shortlisted for business awards in the Creative sector ‘Best Creative & Cultural Business’. This was not only commendation for what she has achieved with her band and solo career but also well deserved recognition for her work ‘behind the scenes’.
As a freelance singer Anna works as a session singer at local recording studios, delivers singing workshops in high schools, colleges and privately and is also involved with local musicians recording original material. Anna’s first album entitled ‘Lately’, features the musicians from her band. The album covers some interesting arrangements of popular standards and also a big band recording arranged by Dave Wolpe. Her most recent album was recorded with guitarist Deon Krishnan and is called ‘Anna Reay with Deon Krishnan’.
Anna also sits on the Advisory Board for Gateshead College Music Department.
www.annareay.co.uk
Reviews:
"Anna Jean Reay is a simply outstanding talent...a performer to get truly excited about.’
Mark Ritchie, The Stage.
"I do not think I have seen too many artists switch so effortlessly from the Ella Fitzgerald arrangement of Cheek to Cheek to a rendition of O Mio babbino Caro by Puccini. In Short Reay is a performer to get truly excited about’
Alan Warner showcase 2004- The Stage.
"...her adopted strategy of chatting to her audience was most endearing. In fact Reay’s line in crowd approach made a welcome change from that adopted by many of the West Enders and I liked everything about her. The biggest selling point here however was something you cannot train, coach or acquire by purchase. I’m referring of course to Reay’s sheer charm and stage presence."
Prima Artists Showcase 2009, The Stage
“Anna Reay is a fantastic vocalist with a bright and lovable personality. She captures the audience attention from the offset. Great crisp and precise vocals that tantalise the ears to make a truly memorable listening experience.
Anna's set list is chosen to suit the environment/venue accordingly, from soft ballads, west end hits (such as "Time to say goodbye") through to current pop favourites.”
CRITIC EYES - ENTERTAINMENT CRITIC. NSM Entertainment Agency
"Anna Reay has a truly remarkable voice and a deceptively relaxed stage persona. The band are highly skilled and the repertoire moves to the jazz side of popular music with many 'standards' from the 40's and 50's and a song list including 'Feeling Good', Mambo Italiano', 'Ain't Misbehavin' and many other blues, soul and easy listening tunes. I often find the term 'easy listening' misleading since the skill to pull it off successfully is anything but easy in performance. Reay and the band handle the material with style, class and subtlety and the audience are truly appreciative. Her singing voice evokes the likes of Peggy Lee and Natalie Cole but with a contemporary approach. Top marks all round - they are well worth seeking out in the new year."
Anna Richardson, the Informer Magazine Dec 2009
“As stated in previous Voyage Reports, typically, female vocalists tend to struggle with winning over an audience. Unlike their male counterparts, they tend to receive more scrutiny from the passengers. However, Anna’s versatility was very refreshing and she received quite a few notes of praise from the passengers for her performances (along with quite a few CD sales). Her first show on the evening of May 21st and 22nd was held in the Starlight’s Lounge with the venue 60% full for both performances on the 21st and 80% full on the 22nd. These numbers were repeated for her second show, on the evening of the 26th and 27th. Very Good Act!”
Peter Allen, Planning and Sourcing Manager - Carnival UK Entertainment Services Department
www.annareay.co.uk Read More

Reviews     (4 Reviews)

Previous Clients

Cruise ships: Arcadia, Oceana, Aurora, Oriana, Azura P & O. Budicca Fred Olsen. Van Gogh - Travelscope. Saga Ruby, Saga Rose and Spirit of Adventure.
Previous Venues:
Age Restaurant, Durham
Alnwick Castle, Alnwick
Anlwick Treehouse, Alnwick
Alnwick Pavillion, Alnwick
Angel, Corbridge
Arcot Golf Club, Cramlington
Assembly Rooms, Newcastle
Aukland Castle, Bishop Aukland
Baltic, Newcastle
Bamburgh Castle
Bar 55, Newcastle
Bar One, Newcsatle upon Tyne
Beamish Hall, Stanley
Beamish Park Hotel, Stanley
Beamish Park Golf Club, Stanley
Marshall Meadows Country House, Berwick
Caedmo ... n Hall, Gateshead
Caledonian Hotel, Jesmond
Causey Arch, Stanley
Centre For Life, Newcastle
Close House, Wylam
Club Marbella Hotel, Marbella
Crathorne Hall, Yarm
Dissington Hall
Dolphin Centre, Darlington
Elephant on the Tyne Hotel, Gateshead
Ellingham hall, Northumberland
Embleton Hall, Longframlington
Eshott Hall, Northumberland
Eslington Villa, Low Fell
Fenwicks, Newastle
Gala Casino, Glasgow
Garesfiled Golf Club, Chopwell
Gala Casino, Stockton
Gala Casino, Bradford
George hotel, Darlington
Gershwins, Newcastle
George Washington Hotel, Washington
Gilsland Spa Hotel, Gilsland
Gosforth Park Race Course, Newcastle
Hallgarth Manor Hotel, Pittington
Hardwick hall Hotel, County Durham
Hatfield College, Durham
Holiday Inn, Cramlington
Hartlepool Golf Club, Hartlepool
Hindmarsh Hall, Alnmouth
Holiday Inn, Leeds
Horsley Hall, Stanhope, Co.Durham
Horton Grange
Ivy Restaurant, Jesmond
Kirkley Hall
Jersey farm, Barnard Castle
Jesmond Dene House, Newcastle upon Tyne
Judges, Kirklevington Hall, Yarm
Langley Castle, Chester-Le-Street
Longhirst Hall, Morpeth
Linden Hall, Longhorsley
Louis Restaurant, Jesmond
Lumley Castle, Chester le Street
Marshall Meadows Country House, Berwick
Mansions House, Jesmond
Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel, Newcastle
Marriott Gateshead (Metrocentre)
Marriott, York
Matfen Hall, Hexham
Menzies Hotel, Silverlink, Newcastle
Newcastle Civic Centre
NewcastleGateshead Hilton
Newbridge Memorial Hall, Cardiff
Otterburn Tower
Orocco Pier Hotel, South Queensferry
Park hotel, Tynemouth
Premier Inn, Newcastle
Queens Hall, Hexham
Queens Head, Rothbury
RAF Lyneham
RAF Cranwell
RAF, Catterick
RAF, Gibraltar
RAF, Leeming
Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton Le Spring
Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham
Ravensworth Golf Club, Wreckenton
Redworth Hall, Darlington
Rockcliffe Hall, Darlington
Roker Hotel, Sunderland
Rudding Park Hotel, Harrogate
Sage, Gateshead Saltwell Towers, Saltwell Park, Gateshead
Seaham Hall, Seaham
Seaburn Swallow Hotel , Sunderland
Sharkies Beach Bar, Marbella
Shotton Hall Banqueting Suite, Peter Lee
Slayley Hall, Northumberland
St James’ Park, Newcastle
Sunderland University
Swallow Hotel, Stockton
Swallow Hotel, Gateshead
Sunderland stadium Of Light
The Apartment, Newcastle Upon Tyne
The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle
The Manor House Hotel Bishop Aukland
The Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle
Three Tonns Hotel, Durham
The Imperial Swallow Hotel, Jesmond
The Los Amigos Beach Club Hotel, Marbella
Torremolinos Beach Club, Marbella
The Grange Hotel, London
The Miraflores Hotel, Marbella
The Country Manor Hotel, West Aukland
The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate
The Lancastrian Suite, Gateshead
The Bucannon Suite, Gateshead
The Hilton Hotel, Gateshead
The Beaumont Hotel, Hexham
The Derwent Manor Hotel, Northumberland
The National Glass Centre, Sunderland
The Hilton, Park Lane
The Albyn, Aberdeen
The Holiday Inn, Newcastle
The Royal County Hotel, Durham
The Royal Derwent Hotel, Derwentside
The Last Drop Inn, Bolton
The Ramblers, Corbridge
The Premier Inn, Newcastle upon Tyne
The Riverdale Hotel, Bellingham
The Riviera Hotel, Benalmadena, Spain
The Rock@Diamond Inn, Ponteland
The Staincliffe Hotel, Hartlepool
The Swan, Harrogate
The Unicorn Ship, Dundee
The Westhill, Jersey
Tilmouth Park, Coldstream
Tynedale Golf Club
The Van Gogh Cruise Ship
The Quality Hotel, Boldon
The Merton, Jersey
Whitworth Hall Hotel, spennymoor
Winter Gardens, Blackpool
Whickham Golf Club, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Wynyard Hall
Wynyard Park Golf club, Teeside
Wynyard Park, Teeside
Wynyard Rooms, Teeside
Wearside Golf Club
York Race Course, York Read More

Suitable for

Birthday Party (Adult) Casinos Christening Christmas Party Cocktail Party / Drinks Reception Corporate Event Dinner Party Private Party Product Launch / Promotion Theaters / Stage Trade Show / Exhibitions Wedding Reception

Additional Information

PAT tested.
Public Liabilty Insurance
CRB checked.
Seamans Discharge Book