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 has also played on several cruises, including a stint for the prestigious 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 also appeared in musicals such as Rent, Joseph, Bugsy Malone, Chicago, Grease and Into the Woods. he has also played for a plethora of UK theatre productions including One Night of Elvis, Thank Abba For The Music, Ben Portsmouth, Jackson and many more
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.”
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.”
Jesse Rivers
Born to make it BIG…
The character of Jesse Rivers is currently played by multi-award winning artiste, Paul Grant-Reason*
Jesse’s journey towards paying homage to Neil Diamond started way back in his childhood. His late father was a huge fan and went to see Neil himself at Woburn Abbey in 1977.
“I had the silver greatest hits album as a kid. Long before I started getting into playing guitar and rock music, it was just something about those amazing songs and the way Neil conveyed them that spoke to me. There was just a beautiful directness about the way Neil sang and his perfectly crafted Lyrics.”
As a natural Baritone like Neil, Jesse realised that while he had been working hard on his vocals professionally, he’d also managed to evolve a real depth to his voice. Just for fun he tried singing a few songs that were such a big part of this childhood.
With every inflection of Neil’s unique voice firmly ingrained in his soul, the results were nothing short of miraculous. This gave Jesse a huge feeling of satisfaction and the connection to his father, who also loved the songs so much.
Jesse put together a short video of him singing Neil Diamond songs and the response from Neil Diamond fans worldwide, was nothing short of phenomenal. “Everybody was so encouraging, I was astounded. It was at that very moment that I knew I’d found the very thing that I truly wanted to do.”
“I am so excited about the future with Hello Again. Even after winning several awards worldwide, including 2017 Best Male Tribute and appearing on ITV’s Star’s in Their Eyes, landing the principal role in The World’s Greatest Celebration of The Life & Work of Neil Diamond is a dream come true for me.”
“Neil’s music is timeless, it touches people and I know how important his music is to everybody. I cannot wait for you to see my portrayal of the great man himself and very much look forward to meeting you all”
“…it was just something about those amazing songs and the way Neil conveyed them that spoke to me. There was just a beautiful directness about the way Neil sang and his perfectly crafted Lyrics.”
*Cast members subject to change without notice.