:: Lobby & Pianobar entertainers ::

TONY O'MALLY

TONY O'MALLEY - pianobar entertainer

Tony O'Malley has been playing music since he was eleven years old, and by the age of fifteen he played the piano and organ in show bands and soul bands.

In 1969 he joined forces with ARRIVAL, a gospel-influenced singing group who were to have two hit-parade successes in Europe with "Friends" and "I Will Survive". In 1973 he co-founded the now legendary soul band KOKOMO, a group of fabulous musicians, way ahead of their time, who had previously worked with the likes of the Average White Band, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Joe Cocker and the Grease Band, to name but a few. KOKOMO toured extensively in America and Europe until they disbanded in 1977. A tour of Europe and the Middle East with Martha Reeves and the Vandellas was followed by more road work with old friend Graham Gouldman and 10CC.

After a year of touring the world, Tony began work on his solo career. During the past decade Tony O'Malley has developed his own very unique and exciting blend of soul, rhythm & blues and jazz, and he has built a huge repertoire, using a pool of the finest musicians on the London music scene. Next to attracting an ever-increasing loyal following of fans, Tony is also much loved and respected by his fellow-musicians. He was asked to play at Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood's birthday party in 1993, where Tony sang "Tears in Heaven", accompanied by Eric Clapton, who was one of the guests that night. In December 1997 Tony and the band were to play at a Christmas party organised by Jeff Beck and Chrissie Hynde, which turned out to be a massive jam session.

Versatile, experienced and extremely professional, Tony O'Malley performs at prestigious events such as the Annual Goodwood Festival in England (sponsored by Cartier) and the world famous Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London.

Tony moved to Brussels in January '99 and meanwhile works with some of the best musicians of France and Belgium.

Discography as a solo artist:

1995 - "Naked Flame", recorded live at Ronnie Scott's Jazz club in London.. Players feature Pino Palladino on bass, Andy Newmark on drums, Neil Hubbard on guitar, Mel Collins on saxes and Tony on piano and vocals. Produced by Tony and Chris Lewis.

1997 - "Sunshine Everyday", also produced by Tony, features Neil Hubbard on guitar, Mel Collins on saxes, Mark Smith on bass, Ian Thomas on drums, Andy Wallace on Hammond organ, Jody Linscott on percussion and the Kokomo singers.

1999 - new album waiting to be released, produced by Tony, features Pino Palladino on bass, Ash Soan on drums, Hamish Stuart, Adam Philips, Neil Hubbard and Jim Mullen on guitars, Dave Lewis and Mel Collins on saxes, Dominic Glover on trumpet, Jody Linscott on percussion and Andy Wallace on Hammond organ.