Jazzizit Records are delighted to announce Big City Calling, the debut jazz release by artist John Heavens. Big City Calling is stylistically eclectic and is a contemporary blend of Jazz, Rap, African, Rock and Gospel showcasing John’s original compositions and subtle vocals. Featuring Andrea Vicari - piano/arrangements, Jonathon Brattof - guitar, Mark Parnell - drums. Each of John's original compositions tell an observational story. Monday on Freedom Street explores jobs that provide income but do not satifsy the soul. Cry Freedom deals with breaking free from emotional issures that hold people back and the jazz ballad Hanoi Lullaby tells the story of a street kid in Hanoi who dies through drugs and prostitution. With such a wide range of issues, John has utilised a diverse instrumentation to colour this stories - Rapper Jahaziel (Daniel Beddingfield, Craig David) delivers a strong freestyle rap message on Cry freedom and Manhatten Transfer syle vocals by Stephanie Meade (Madonna at Live 8) and Simon King feature on Transatlantic Love Affair. Accordian player Peter Rosser sets the mood on one of the two instrumetntal tracks Voyage around my Father and Table and percussion by Kulijit Bhamra are featured on Bodiccia's voice. At the heart of the band are British greats Andrea Vicari - arrangements, Dorian Lockett - bass, Marc Parnell - drums. John Heavens - vocals, flute, Andrea Vicari - piano, Rapper Jahaziel - rap, Dorian Lockett - bass, Geoff Gascoyne - bass Mark Parnell - drums, John Brattof - guitar, Peter Rosser - accordian, Kljt Bhamra - tabla, Rory Simmons - trumpet, Duncan eagles - saxes, Malcolm Earle Smith - trombone, Peter Rosser - Accordian, Simon King - vocals, Stephanie Meade - vocals "John Heavens' debut album is an impressive affair. Funky, witty and diverse, this collection of originals recalls the Brit-Funk of The Average White Band and the English soul of those mid seventies delights, Kokomo. Heavens has stage-managed the affair almost singel-handedly, calling upon a stellar cast of UK signers, horn players and a delightfully funky Andrea Vicari on piano. The songs are fresh and groovy, teasing the listener with well arranged intros, Tower of Power style, easing into head-nodding groovs and raming Heavens' well intoned and refreshingly unadorned vocal delivery" Ian Shaw, BBC Jazz Vocalist of the Year 2007