“A bit like jazz, only better” – that’s the description given to Burden Of Paradise.
The band this Saturday makes one of its regular appearances at the Cobbles And Clay Cafe in Haworth.
Members include leading jazz saxophonist Snake Davis and acclaimed jazz-blues singer Helen Watson.
The band promises breathtaking skill, warm co-operation and witty anarchic banter as it welcomes its audience into a world of tenderness, virtuosity and human frailty.
A spokesman said: “There are no drums, just voice, saxophone and the pulsing engine room of double bass and guitar.
“Burden Of Paradise’s unique interpretations of evocative songs from Dylan to Dowland are spell-binding.”
Snake and Helen perform alongside double bass player Dave Bowie and acoustic guitarist Mark Creswell, who have been with Snake since they all played together in leading Northern Soul band The Suspicions.
Snake and Dave met as flute players in 1978, and in the 1980s Snake and Helen toured Europe with Joe Cocker.
Snake has also played live with M-People, Eurythmics, Lisa Stansfield and Acoustic Alchemy.
His trademark sax sound has been heard on hit singles including Moving On Up, Search For A Hero, A Million Love Songs and Change.
Meanwhile Snake has also been touring with his Snake Davis Band, coinciding with its third major release Talking Bird and playing a set bristling with classic soul and funk.
Helen Watson is said to have a unique style and strong distinctive voice, crossing the boundaries between jazz, blues and folk.
Throughout her varied career she has performed with leading musicians including Albert Lee, Little Feat, the Eagles' Bernie Leadon and Andy Fairweather Low.
She has sung with country queens Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt and worked with leading English singers like Christine Collister, Chris While and Julie Matthews.
Helen released a trio of albums on the Fledg'ling label, entitled Somersault, Doffing and Lifesize, but her natural home is in front of an audience.
The gig at the Cobbles And Clay, in Main Street, begins at 8pm.
The cafe will be serving food from 6.15pm before the gig. Tickets for Burden Of Paradise cost £20 and the food is extra.
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