Shalamar UK tour – Exclusive interview with Jeffrey Daniel
With dates in Manchester, London and Birmingham this year, a newly invigorated Shalamar return to Britain with a line-up comprising of long-term members Jeffrey Daniel and Howard Hewett alongside latest female recruit Carolyn Griffey. With the release of their new song “The Real Thing”, Jeffrey Daniel spoke to us about the excitement and love of performing in the UK and what the audiences will expect from their tour.
Q: After an abrupt end to Shalamar in 1984, how does it feel to be back?
Jeffrey: It feels amazing, we’re obviously a little older and I need to take a few deep breaths when I come off stage but we’re loving performing again to audiences old and new.
Q: Any plans to extend the tour?
Jeffrey: Yes, we’ve got plans starting in February 2019 so we can get to see more of our fans and the can come and enjoy our music.
Q: Everyone knows Shalamars amazing floor filling hits, have you been working on anything new?
Jeffrey: We’ve released “The Real Thing” which we loved working on, please check it out on YouTube, I’ve also been working with 2 great new talents called Sammy J and Simon so keep a look out for them
Q: What can fans expect from this Shalamar tour?
Jeffrey: Well, obviously they can expect all of our hits from A night to remember and There it is through to Take that to the bank and Second Time Around but most of all though they can expect a PARTY!!!
Q: What do you think has been the secret to Shalamar success through the decades?
Jeffrey: Our success collectively in Shalamar is that we have a catalogue of evergreen songs, I don’t feel uncomfortable saying that because our fans continue to keep telling us. That makes live shows so easy as we have so many tracks to choose from
Q: Where have you been most successful?
Jeffrey: I have to say that the UK has been so gracious to Shalamar, also Africa, Japan, and the U.S but the UK still remain our greatest fans.
Q: I remember watching you in TOTP doing the moonwalk and thinking, WOW! How important was that performance in your success?
Jeffrey: It was so important, I think it actually was the turning point, the catalyst and then we went on to perform in Wembley Arena in 1982 which was just amazing
Q: Talking about the moonwalk, it must’ve been amazing to have worked with Michael Jackson
Jeffrey: It was, I worked with him for over 20 years, choreographing Bad and Smooth Criminal and I don’t think there will ever be another talent like him. Next year will be the 10th year since Michaels death and I still miss him very much.
Q: How important do you think the role of music is in today’s troubled world?
Jeffrey: I honestly think it is more important than ever, there is so much going on that music is a way to connect with people, it’s all about vibrations, the notes, the chords, the music, it vibrates and connects with people and that’s so important. It’s all about people and music connects in a way nothing else can.
Q: So, will there be a message that Shalamar would like to give on this tour?
Jeffrey: At the end of our shows which we like to think of as parties, the enduring positive message from us is “Spread the Love.”
You can catch Shalamar at the following places in 2018 and 2019
NOV 24 – London indigo at The O2
NOV 27 – Manchester – O2 Ritz
NOV 28 – Birmingham – The Jam House
FEBRUARY 2019
FEB 22 – Blackpool Winter Gardens – Soulful Night To Remember: Shalamar, The Delfonics, Peabo Bryson, The Stylistics featuring Russell Tompkins Jnr, Regina Bell, Shanice, Fern Kinney
MARCH 2019
MAR 16 – Stockport Plaza – A Soulful Night To Remember: Shalamar, Delfonics, Peabo Bryson, The Stylistics featuring Russell Tompkins Jnr, Regina Belle, Shanice, Fern Kinney