Cleveland Watkiss

Cleveland Watkiss

Cleveland Watkiss is a singer, actor and composer from Hackney in the United Kingdom, born in 1959. He grows up in the East End of London and studies voice at the London School of Singing with opera coach Arnold Rose, as well as at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Jazz Warriors and early recognition

Watkiss is one of the co-founders of the Jazz Warriors, an influential jazz big band. He sings on their debut album, Out of Many People, which wins a video award in Japan. He is later entered for the Wire/Guardian Jazz Awards and is voted best vocalist for three consecutive years.

Collaborations and performances

His work as a vocalist takes him into collaborations with a wide range of artists and ensembles, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Dusseldorf Symphonic Orchestra, the London Chamber Orchestra, the London Community Gospel Choir, the Kenny Wheeler big band, Bocato Big Band and the Arthur Blakey- and Sly & Robbie-associated circles listed in his performances. He also works with musicians and artists such as Bob Dylan, Jackie Mittoo, Keith Richards, James Taylor Quartet, Abdullah Ibrahim, Stevie Wonder, Patife, Carlinhos Brown, Robbie Williams, Joe Cocker, Bobby McFerrin, The Who, Branford Marsalis, George Martin, Julian Joseph, Lisa Stansfield, Courtney Pine, Janet Kay, Maxi Priest, Soul II Soul, Kassa Mady, Goldie, Cassandra Wilson, Talvin Singh, Bjork, Pete Townshend and the London Community Gospel Choir.

Teaching and music education

Watkiss is also active as a music educator. He works as a voice instructor for SingUp, leads workshops in venues, schools, colleges and universities around the UK, designs the vocal curriculum for BA students at the Weekend Arts College in north London, and serves as a facilitator and voice coach for the Artist Development Programme at Hackney Empire Theatre in east London.

Other associations

He is associated with Project 23, Jazz Warriors and La Famille.