François Raffenaud
Judge Smith and the Young Offenders
and Des de Moor

Pirate Jenny's autumn "saison en chanson" continues tonight with début appearances at Pirate Jenny's for two outstanding acts from France and England.

French-based singer and actor FRANÇOIS RAFFENAUD offers authentic and distinctive performances of a broad repertoire of French song, from well-established classics to little-known gems, making the work comprehensible to English-speaking audiences with a mix of original texts, accurate translations and partially-translated songs. He's an imaginative, passionate and insightful interpreter who also brings a wry sense of humour to both French and British culture, having lived here for a while performing his previous show Froggy Style after working with the French National Theatre since the age of 20.

Over the past couple of years François has been touring all over France as the MC in a lavish Lido-style extravaganza, but popped back to London when this new, intimate cabaret show ran at the Rosemary Branch back in June. Expect first class performances of familiar tunes and revelatory surprises from unexpected sources, ably assisted by the inimitable DAVID HARROD on piano.

"A fine performer...[his] sensual delivery and hangdog good looks drag you through the emotional trauma of each song." Time Out.

"The best kind of cabaret evening, not only showcasing a superb interpreter but also introducing a repertoire of extraordinary range and depth." The Stage

Also featuring tonight are some inventive new English chansons from JUDGE SMITH AND THE YOUNG OFFENDERS. Judge was the original drummer and joint singer and composer with cult British rock band Van Der Graaf Generator, and has continued to work ever since with that band's leading light, individualistic songwriter Peter Hammill, as well as writing songs for Lene Lovich and classic TV satire Not The Nine O'Clock News. In 2000 he released his magnum opus Curly's Airships, a song-story inspired by the story of the ill-fated airship R-101, and has recently starting gigging again with a set of unusual and original songs in the company of pianist-accordionist MICHAEL WARD-BERGEMAN and bassist IAN FORDHAM. A rare chance to catch a great British talent.

Plus there's the usual mini-set from PJ bosun DES DE MOOR, "one of our leading interpreters of the cabaret-chanson tradition" (Guardian).

www.francoisraffenaud.co.uk
www.curlysairships.com

Back to the Pirate Jenny's page
Back to Des de Moor's home page

See also

Des de Moor's gigs page for a complete list of his forthcoming performances.