From time to time we feature our band members and their achievements so this blog post is about our drummer, Jeff Lardner and pianist Sandra Lambert.
Jeff Lardner – Drummer
Van Morrison musicians come and go, but for the past 5 years Jeff Lardner has been recording and touring all over the world as drummer to this legendary performer.
Jeff is one of the UK’s busiest drummers and has played, recorded and toured with some of the world’s foremost musicians and singers including Kylie Minogue, Natalie Cole, Gregory Porter, Bette Midler, Tony Hadley, Rick Astley, Ute Lemper, The Three Degrees, The Drifters, BBC Big Band, Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Bert Kaempfert Orchestra, Back To Basie Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Charlie Byrd, Spike Robinson, Don Lusher, Des O’Conner, Vince Hill, Alexander Armstrong and Helen Shapiro.
His television credits include Parkinson, Des and Mel Show, This Morning, Alan Titchmarsh Show, Paul O’Grady Show, Gloria Hunniford Show and Strictly Come Dancing. Jeff has played on the film soundtrack Le Weekend with music composed by Jeremy Sams and recorded numerous albums for big band dance music and UK jazz artists.
Sandra Lambert – Pianist
Enjoying a colourful and cosmopolitan musical career, Sandra Lambert began piano lessons at the age of 6, studying privately both in London and the USA with a number of leading international musicians including with the renowned jazz educator, Hal Galper. By her mid-teens the jazz bug had bitten and she was transcribing solos from the great jazz masters, teaching piano and performing in clubs, restaurants and bars.
Sandra has performed and recorded with artists such as Bette Midler, Humphrey Lyttleton, Cilla Black, Paul O’Grady, The London Symphony Orchestra. A sought after accompanist, she toured extensively with Helen Shapiro throughout the 1990s as her Musical Director, appearing on numerous CD’s and TV shows as well as penning all the musical arrangements.
Her first album release was a collaboration with guitarist Mike Eaves entitled ‘Too Late Now’, a beautiful collection of songs and ballads together with double bassist Malcolm Creese and drummer Jeff Lardner. In 2005 she was the musical director for the touring show ‘The Anthony Newley Story’ which saw Sandra collaborating with Newley’s biographer and highly acclaimed West End vocalist Garth Bardsley. Together with her band they recorded ‘A Portrait of Anthony Newley’ which received garnered reviews from the likes of Tim Rice and Don Black.
Aside from leading her own bands, Sandra continues to work in a variety of musical areas which include studio sessions, television, live concerts, shows and solo performances. Her CD’s are available to purchase from Simply Swing.
