Brooklyn Horns
Michael Bazzoni
Michael Bazzoni has carried on the Bazzoni tradition in the music industry. He learnt to play the drums at the age of 9 years old, taught by his cousin, renowned drummer & record producer, Darren Bazzoni.
Michael completed his first tour at the age of 14 in Canada. He then went on to gain a 1st Diploma and a National Diploma in Performing Arts and Popular Music. Michael has toured the UK with various high profile bands and artist such as Scouting for Girls, Lawson, Charli XCX and The Saturdays playing at many venues and festivals. He’s also done Cruise Ship Drumming for the Royal Caribbean. Along the way he has worked with some of the county’s top producers, appearing on different albums and music videos.
Michael has appeared in musicals such as Rent, Joseph, Bugsy Malone, Chicago, Grease and Into the Woods to name a few.
Michael grew up listening to artists such as Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond. Together with iconic drumming from Ronnie Tutt, Michael is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the show and given the chance to recreate some of Neil Diamond’s classic songs live.
“What I like about Neil Diamond’s music is the mixture of different styles and genres. One minute you can be playing country and the next you’re playing a big gospel number and then onto a pop/ rock style. As a drummer this is exciting and really pushes your ability.”
Brooklyn Creed & The Salvation Band Live
Pierce Tee
Our wonderful Musical Director Pierce has spent the past 25 years working in all fields of live music, touring, theatres, ships and residencies, building extensive experience in all genres of music.
Pierce has also been MD on many large UK theatre tours including a recent stint on the smash hit West End show ‘Only Fools & Horses’. He also has a large amount of experience in creating written arrangements and composition, which he uses to great effect with ‘Hello Again.’
Darren Juniper
Guv’nor of the low end…
Darren has been playing bass for over 25 yrs starting his professional career on the UK theatre & festival circuits touring with various Country music acts signed to the Ritz record label.
His love of Motown and 60’s soul music in general eventually lead to Darren being invited to join the eminent British soul singer Cliff Bennett and his band The Rebel Rousers on various UK and European tours, a role that he enjoyed for 5 years.
Since childhood Darren always had a passion for Rock n Roll music and the chance to play in The Chas Hodges Rock n Roll Trio with legendary pianist Chas Hodges and renowned drummer Micky Burt (Chas n Dave and both ex Cliff Bennett musicians) was an opportunity not to be missed.
Through his work as a freelance studio musician and producer Darren spent 2 years touring as bass player and band leader with much loved Irish singer Rose-Marie.
Darren has also covered many different styles of music as a deputising bass player due to his ability to fit into any band (often at short notice) making sure that whether in the studio or on live shows the “bottom end” is in safe hands.
Chas Hodges Band
In 2009 Darren continued his work with Chas Hodges joining Chas & His Band and enjoying a busy touring schedule of theatres, clubs and festivals around the world.
Darren had been Chas’s regular bass player for over 10 years until Chas’s tragic passing in September 2018.
Izzy Zina Lock
Before starting my professional training at the age of 18 I had already had a taste of what it was like to be in the West End appearing in multiple musicals including Whistle Down the Wind (Palace Theatre), Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat starring Lee Mead & Gareth Gates (Adelphi Theatre) and Mariana Pineda (Arcola Theatre), along with a film debut in the hit feature film LEGACY, directed by Noel Clarke.
Upon graduating from Italia Conti I was chosen to be a member of girlband ‘Mon Amie’ on shot to popularity in the 2015 series of ITV’s hit show, The X Factor. The girls were backed by industry favour favourites such as Simon Cowell and Rita Ora but sadly lost their sear at Wembley Area as part of the 6 Chair Challenge. After being part of the show we were asked to go on tour with pop legend Jason Donovan travelling around the UK and performing at some of the countries most famous theatres.
After the tour the girlband decided to go their separate ways, I gained the part of Fairy Rose in the K & D’s production of Beauty in the Beast (Grange Theatre) in their Christmas pantomime.
In 2017 another opportunity arose for me to take part again in The X Factor again in another band ‘New Dynamixx’ again getting to the 6 Chair Challenge but sadly losing a seat. Post X Factor the band went onto performing many gigs round the UK and working on new material to release. I am now focusing on myself as a solo performer. I teach singing, dancing and acting 6 days a week to all ages. I love teaching kids about the industry I’m part of and feel so strongly about, its my job to share the passion I have for performing with the next generation of kids!
- 2016Pantomime, Fairy Glee, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, LHK Productions
- 2016, Concert, Herself/Band Singer Mon Amie, JASON DONOVAN, TEN GOOD REASONS TOUR
- 2016, Music Video, Actor, THIS IS ME BY BEN CLARK, Flipside Audio, Nathan Morris
- 2016, Music Video, Actor (Love Interest), PLAYGROUND BY CHARLIE HEALY, Universal, Universal
- 2015, Television, Herself / Mon Amie, THE X FACTOR, Talkback Thames TV, Syco
- 2008, Stage, Choir, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, New London Theatre, Bill Kenwright
- 2014, Film, School Girl, LEGACY, University, Noel Clarke
- 2012, Stage, Sharon, ITALIA CONTI PRODUCTION OF ‘SIGNIFICANCE OF SEVEN’, Bloomsbury Theatre, Richard Peakman
- 2010, Stage, Choir, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, Adelphi Theatre, Steven Pimlott
- 2009, Stage, Children’s Ensemble, WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND, Palace Theatre, Bill Kenwright
- 2009, Stage, Marina’s Daughter, MARIANA PINEDA, Arcola Theatre, Max Key
- 2005, Television, Child, SNUFF BOX, BBC3, Michael Cumming
- 2016, Television, Herself/ New Dynamixx, X FACTOR, Talkback Thames TV, Syco
- 2015, Training: Italia Conti Academy Of Theatre Arts (Graduated 2015 with a diploma in Musical Theatre)
Juanita Diaz
From an early age Juanita was singing…
Born in London, England, Juanita began her career in UK chart act Page 1. This early taste of success acted as the perfect springboard to become backing vocalist and support artist for numerous multi-platinum artists inc. Michael Jackson, Kylie Minogue, Take That, E17, Culture Club, Danni Minogue, 2 Unlimited, Peter Andre, Spice Girls, Jocelyn Brown, Let Loose, Katrina & The Waves, Hazel Dean & Samantha Fox. Juanita also recently wrote and co-produced under the pseudonym Constance filling dance floors worldwide with her dance hit The Reason.
“I feel very blessed
to have the opportunity to sing Neil Diamond’s songs on a nightly basis. I was pretty much brought up on these tunes. I’ve got to admit, they didn’t take much learning as my parents have always been huge fans, it was compulsory listening in our house, growing up.”
Brooklyn Creed
Born to make it BIG…
The character of Brooklyn Creed is currently played by Singer/ Songwriter Gary Benjafield*
Gary started playing guitar at the age of 14, and formed his first band ‘Ransom’ at school with two like minded friends.
The band became successful locally, performing at clubs and bars in and around the London area. At the tender age of just 18 years, he became a full time professional musician.
The band unfortunately split after a few years and from there Gary hit the London function circuit. Notoriously difficult to make a name on, with so many West End show musicians and vocalists. Gary soon began making a stir, with his exceptional vocal and guitar skills, coupled with a smooth, confident on stage persona, a perfect blend for Highbrow, city types.
Cut to 2016 and after a Nationwide search for a Principal who could not only match the incredible voice of Mr. Neil Diamond but carry the onstage confidence of an International superstar, the producers hit a brick wall. With a script written, band rehearsed and Production sought their search exhausted. Little did they know that the man that they were looking for was in fact living in the next village, they had found their man, the recipe was perfect.
In a parallel career, Gary also writes original material, becoming a Warner-Chappel artist in 2010, alongside music giants such as Beyonce, Katy Perry, Kendrick Lamar, Kacey Musgraves & Lukas Graham.
As a musician, Gary has been blessed to work with many household names, including The Real Thing, Hot Chocolate, Freddie Jackson & David Essex.
Gary also boasts his own professional, commercial recording studio, Human Touch, where he uses his enormous experience and musicality to produce new and emerging artists.
“Neil Diamond has just such an amazing catalogue of songs. He is indeed a true inspiration to all song writers and performers of any age and level of ability.”
*Cast members subject to change without notice.