The 411 Magazine The 411 Magazine issue 4 July/Aug 2017 | Page 36

FEATURE
How did you all meet and decide to get together as
a band?
Dave and I met in 2002 when I needed a pianist for a
gig at the Boatyard Restaurant in Leigh-on-Sea. Dave
met me there, we did a 5 hour gig having never seen
each other before! Then we formed a vocal group
and Debbie was recommended to us to join. I worked for many years with Phil Coulter
(Producer/Writer for Van Morrison and The Bay City
Rollers song, Congratulations) as his musical director.
We recorded many albums with some fabulous
artists. The album that was nominated was called
Highland Cathedral. I was the producer and arranger
on this album, which we recorded in Ireland in 2000.
How would you describe the band's musical style?
Vintage and quirky with swinging harmonies that
bring old melodies up to date. Heather, you lived in New York and sang in the city's
foremost Jazz clubs and well as prominent UK
venues such as Ronnie Scotts.  How does the US jazz
scene differ from the UK's and where do you feel
your musical 'home' lies?
The US jazz scene is not that different from here,
although there are probably more venues for 
How do you choose songs for your repertoire?
They all have a jazz flavour even the original songs
that we write and our few modern numbers.
Left to right: Debbie Bines (Ukelele), Dave Cooke (Guitar), Heather Simmons (Double Bass)
We understand there's an impressive musical
provenance beh ind the Daisy Bowlers.  Can you tell
us a bit more about your music careers up to this
point?
Ah, that's kind of you. Well between the three of us
we have played Carnegie Hall, Ronnie Scotts, The
White House, Kensington Palace, The National
Theatre, The Royal Festival Hall and many more.
Although some of our favourite gigs have been in
nursing homes and people's back gardens.
Dave, a little bird told us you were nominated for a
Grammy.  Can you tell us more?
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jazz musicians in New York City. The quality of
musicianship, contrary to popular is belief, is the
same. We have fabulous jazz musicians in this
country and I am in the very fortunate position to
have sung with many of them. A dream come true.
Debbie, you've sang at the famous Ronnie Scott's
yourself, as well as The National Theatre.  Where
does your passion for jazz come from?
My passion for jazz has been growing over the last
15years. I still love many different kinds of music but
since singing with Heather and Dave I have
been introduced to many wonderful singers such as