‘Strictly Come Dancing’ singer Tommy Blaize at The Apex next week
The lead singer on “Strictly Come Dancing”, Tommy Blaize, (pictured above) has one of the most recognisable voices in the UK.
He’s sung live each week to around 12 million people, and in a remarkable career spanning 50 years, he’s worked with the likes of Diana Ross, Queen, The Beach Boys, Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder and Robbie Williams.
And he is due to air his vocal chords at The Apex, in Bury St Edmunds, next week.
Despite spending all that time in the music business, this will be Tommy’s first major solo tour, and he’ll be singing songs that everyone knows and loves as well as telling stories about the people he’s worked with.
He explains: “This tour will be different to anything I’ve ever done before. As well as singing (of course!), people don’t know that I also love to play piano, guitar, occasionally a bit of ukelele, and anything I can get my hands on really.
“I’m a soul, blues and jazz lover, so there’ll be lots of those style songs, some songs I’ve sung on Strictly, maybe a couple from my album. I’ll also be telling one or two stories from my career, taking questions from the audience. It’s going to be relaxed, fun and hopefully we’ll get the audience involved in a couple of numbers too.”
Tommy, who has. been with the popular TV show for the past 20 years, began his singing career at the tender age of nine as ‘The Blaize Brothers’ with siblings Tony and Darrin, where he first learnt to sing in front of a live audience, playing in clubs across the North-West of England in the 1970s.Tommy’s set list still includes some of the old soul and R&B classics from way back then, such as ‘My Girl’, ‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay’ and songs by Ray Charles.
Tommy’s stories will feature some of the world’s most legendary artists form the world of music and dance.
He’s particularly proud of sharing the stage with Robbie Williams on his “Swings Both Ways” world tour.
“I was so lucky.It was a special one as I would come out to the front of the stage every night and duet with him. He’s a lovely bloke and made us all feel very involved and included,” he said.
After 20 years on “Strictly Come Dancing”, he’ll have some tales to tell about his time on the show.
When asked what makes “Strictly” so special, he replied: “It’s totally unique in how it brings different people together. It’s something you can watch with your 10-year-old or your nan.
“There’s dance, music, entertainment, sparkly outfits, lights, glamour, challenge, jeopardy, elimination. It’s the full package in terms of Saturday night entertainment. And everybody has an opinion on what they’re seeing so it gets people talking.”
Tommy Blaize is at The Apex on Wednesday, June 19, at 7.30pm.
See www.theapex.co.uk or ring 01284 758000 for tickets. Or visit The Apex box office in Charter Square Bury St Edmunds.