Starting Monday 27th March 2017
The Breakfast Show
Featured Artist will be
The amazing
Ciyo Brown

Biography

‘Born in Jamaica, Ciyo arrived in England at the age of six months old. Though a high academic achiever qualifying as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives and specialising in the area of housing law, music has always been a dedicated and professionally nurtured constant in Ciyo’s journey through life.

From early beginnings having first been taught to play the guitar at the age of nine by his father, Ciyo has participated musically in theatre, studio recordings and live performances alongside a parade of internationally acclaimed artists. These have included YolanDa Brown, Suggs, Caron Wheeler (Soul II Soul), Ann Nesby (Sounds of Blackness), Ruby Turner, Annie Lennox, Jason Rebello, soca queen Alison Hinds, Jean Carne, Jazz Warriors, Tomorrow’s Warriors, Talvin Singh, LCGC, East London Gospel Choir, Chevelle Franklin, Andy Hamilton, Eastwood and Saint, Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra, Urban Soul Orchestra, Alex Wilson, Sonny Okusons, internationally acclaimed jazz guitarists Jim Mullen and Dave Cliff, Femi Temowo, Pee Wee Ellis, Sly and Robbie, Freddie McGregor, Adele Harley, Steel Pulse (where he shared lead guitar duties with Jimmy ‘Senyah’ Haynes on the 1991 album, ‘Victims”) and Carleen Anderson. Ciyo has also been appointed as Musical Director for a range or coveted artists to include the likes of Ronnie Laws, Billy Paul, Ann Nesby (of Spound sof Blackness fame), Horace Andy, Johnny Clarke and neo soul sensation Hil St Soul.

An in-demand musicians’ musician, Ciyo’s ongoing collaborative works cover a range of genres. His talent has enhanced iconic popular music alongside artists such as Roachford, Raghav, Shara Nelson, through progressive Jazz with Soweto Kinch, to the ‘new psychedelia’ Brit-pop/folk influenced music of Bishi. Ciyo’s jazzy guitar contributions are also present in the genres of reggae and lover’s rock and can be found in his live and recorded work with many artists including John Holt, Carroll Thompson, Janet Kay, JC Lodge, Ken Boothe, Sugar Minott, Bob Andy, Legendary Jamaican guitarist Earl ‘Chinna Smith’, Barry Biggs, Dennis Bovell, Pam Hall, Jimmy Lindsay, Earl 16, Lukie D, Paulette Tajah, Susan Cadogan, Lorna Bennett, Kofi, Winston Reedy, Christopher Ellis and internationally acclaimed vocalist Luciano.

Ciyo has toured with Courtney Pine, Byron Wallen, Ronnie Laws, Billy Paul, Jean Toussaint, Maxi Priest, Beres Hammond, Horace Andy, Cleveland Watkiss, Steel Pulse, Linda Lewis, Alex Webb’s Café Society Swing All Stars, Hil St Soul and a host of others to include Royalty in Lady Gabriella Windsor. He counts quality time spent with George Benson as being amongst his most inspiring experiences to date. Ciyo has six album releases to date to include a new album that merges jazz with reggae. The album is titled, “Put a little jazz in their lives” and was officially released by Cadiz Music on 14^th July 2014.

There are a host of other current projects in the pipeline to include various collaborations as well as his World Music Acoustic Trio featuring Colin McNeish (double bass) and Lenny Edwards (percussion). This project delivers an eclectic mix of musical themes from around the world featuring dynamic arrangements and interpretations underpinned by instinctive and sublime musicianship from a stellar trio of outstanding musicians.