'An Evening With' polymath music creator and broadcaster LEO GREEN

Event information

In our ambitions to bring the 'best in class' to the village, on Tuesday 11th March we're hosting a very special 'Anchor Sessions' at our 'mini Ronnie Scotts' (ha!) on the upper deck of the village watering hole.

In a slight diversion from our straight ahead 'music concerts' we present a unique and exclusive opportunity to host a talk from noted polymath broadcaster, musician and entrepreneur LEO GREEN.

As a music impresario, Leo initiated and subsequently developed London's ''BluesFest' from humble beginnings into a multi million annual event at, first, small 100 capacity venues, then to the Royal Albert Hall and, eventually, the 20k capacity O2 Arena. Prior to that, Leo, somewhat controversially, revamped - ultimately very successfully - the 'sacred' nature of the world famous Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in his role as main Artistic Director.

As a broadcaster Leo has hosted and scripted well over 200 shows on BBC R2;  his own shows, 'Sounds Of The 50s', along with 'Friday Night Is Music Night' and many BBC radio 'specials', including an 'In Conversation' series with his one time musical boss, Van Morrison, as well as numerous music documentaries celebrating various Songwriters and Singers.

Leo is also known as a noted band leader and arranger,  leading not only his own ensembles and orchestras, but also accompanying an array of Artists including Ronnie Wood, Beverley Knight, Imelda May, Jack Savoretti, Elvis Costello, Dionne Warwick, Tom Jones, Ben E. King and many other household names. Amongst many other projects, in 2022, Leo conceptualised and launched a project to celebrate the songs of Van Morrison, by forming a band made up of musicians who have toured and recorded with Van Morrison himself. With the blessing of Van, this incredible repertory company is now touring, both domestically and internationally, to remarkable acclaim. 

Over the course of his life as a musician, Leo played sax as a member of the bands of  has worked with Sir Paul McCartney,  Bob Dylan, Sir Tom Jones, Eric Clapton, James Brown, Joss Stone, Little Richard, Robbie Williams, Bryan Ferry, Ray Charles, Bacharach & David,  Lionel Richie, Carl Perkins, Wilson Picket, Paul Weller,  Noel Gallagher, Mick Hucknall, Van Morrison, Dionne Warwick, Ray Davies, Georgie Fame, Paul Carrack, Sting, Jools Holland, Ronnie Wood, Sir Brian May, Jeff Beck, Van Morrison and Jools Holland amongst many other well known artists -  as a teenager, Leo joined Jerry Lee Lewis's band, during which time Jerry threatened Leo with a knife and bottle, despite Leo being 'someone he liked' !!

As a raconteur, Leo may well touch on life with his Father, Benny Green (RIP) - another multi-skilled personality, not least as a renowned saxophonist himself, in addition to being a much loved TV and radio celebrity as well as a prolific published author of books about Sport, Music, War and more.  

At the Anchor sessions, Leo will no doubt entertain us with insights into these activities and more, sharing stories and gossip - possibly not for publication!- alongside an extensive opportunity for audience Q&A. Leo will also illustrate this talk with the odd 'musical interlude' or two, as well! We'll have a piano in situ and Leo will bring along his Sax, I'm sure! 

Please do come and join us!