One of the ex-members from Dire Straits, Chris White have a own band who make a concert tours all around in the world. Here on this post you can “meet up” with all The Dire Straits Experience artists. Enjoy in reading!
1. Chris White – Saxophones, Flute, Percussion & Vocals
Chris White’s first real break in the music industry came in 1981 when he was asked to play on Nick Heyward’s album “North Of A Miracle’’. Following this success, his reputation continued to build, playing and recording with artists such as Paul McCartney, Aztec Camera, Chris DeBurgh, The The, and Mark Knopfler, the latter leading to what he is best known for – the saxophone sound of Dire Straits.
His work with Dire Straits included the “Brothers in Arms” and “On Every Street” World Tours, the “On Every Street” and “On The Night’’ albums, and the legendary “Live Aid’’ and “Mandela’’ concerts.
More recently, Chris has also guested on two of Mark Knopfler’s solo albums. Outside of this association, he has recorded and toured with many artists, including Joe Cocker, Ray Charles, Mick Jagger, Suggs and Robbie Williams.
2. Terence Reis – Lead Vocals & Guitars
“The unbelievable Knopfler channelling of guitarist/singer Terence Reis… not only replicates Knopfler’s guitar and singing style in an eerily accurate manner, he performs with such gusto and passion it was easy to forget we weren’t watching the original Dire Straits in its early 1980s prime. From intense, elongated versions of epics like “Telegraph Road” and “Tunnel of Love” to fan favourites like “Walk Of Life” and “Brothers In Arms,” the music hit every target, without a false note of mimicry or nostalgia…”
Barry Davis (The Straits’ European Autumn Tour 2012) Of English, Portuguese, Welsh, Irish and Australian descent, Terence Reis grew up on the east coast of Africa in the Portuguese capital of Lourenço Marques (now called Maputo) in Mozambique.
It was here that he was first exposed to music and the guitar: the instrument of choice for the rhythmic, finger picking street musicians. This sound, mixing with the European rock ‘n’ roll radio stations of his youth, began a journey of musical inquiry that has taken in Blues, Folk, Rock, African, Celtic, Americana and an ungodly mix of roots music.
After completing an honours degree at the University of Witwatersrand School of Dramatic Arts, Terence embarked on an award-winning career as a professional freelance actor and voice artist. At this time that he was also developing his life-long love of music into a parallel career as a guitarist, singer and songwriter. It has seen him playing, writing, singing for and fronting various bands. However, it was a decision to take a sabbatical that led to a move to Canterbury in the southeast of England. It was here that he formed the band Waterhorse. A decision that would introduce him to The Straits and ultimately The Dire Straits Experience.
3. Chris Whitten – Drums
Chris Whitten made a name for himself providing drums for the classic 80’s hits ‘What I Am’ by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians and ‘The Whole Of The Moon’ by the Waterboys. He went on to appear on Paul McCartney’s critically acclaimed ‘Flowers In The Dirt’ album and the 1989/90 record-breaking world tour. Two years later Chris embarked on the mammoth, 18 month long ‘On Every Street’ world tour with Dire Straits.
Seeking some time away from touring, Chris revealed a talent for composing. He has created soundtracks for award winning TV and film documentaries for the BBC, Channel 4 and the Discovery Channel. This work led him into the fast-moving world of music technology. Working with record producer Peter Henderson (Supertramp, Rush and Paul McCartney) he has now released three expansion packs for leading virtual instrument producers, Toontrack. Their drum sample pack, ‘Custom & Vintage’ has proved to be extremely popular with both users and technology commentators.
Chris has just returned to the UK after ten years living in Australia. While in Australia, he joined an all star Australian band to perform the entire Dire Straits album ‘Brothers In Arms’ for ‘Classic Albums Live’. In 2006 Chris toured North America with World Party, and with them again the following year supporting Steely Dan around Australia. His extensive studio credits include a trio of albums with Swing Out Sister, a James Bond soundtrack (The Living Daylights) with The Pretenders, sessions with ABC, Holly Johnson, Tom Jones and Johnny Cash, plus more recently, two well-regarded albums by soulful newcomers, The Beauty Room.
4. Michael Féat – Bass Guitars & Vocals
Mick is an internationally renowned bassist whose past work includes being the in-house bass player at Island Records, he’s also recorded and toured with a host of major artists that features Art Garfunkel, Van Morrison, David Gilmour, Justin Hayward, Chaz Jankel, Cliff Richard & Barry Gibb.
Mick’s work with Mark Knopfler takes in the platinum selling Tina Turner and Willy De Ville albums and the film scores for ‘Color of Money’, ‘Princess Bride’ and ‘Comfort & Joy’.
5. Tim Walters – Guitars & Vocals
Tim Walters began playing the guitar in 1989 and has steadily built a reputation as one of the most exciting guitarists in the UK, known for his versatility and powerful live playing. With a wide experience of live performance, he has shared a stage with some of the UK’s finest Rock, Pop and Jazz musicians and comes to The Dire Straits Experience through his work with Chris White on other projects.
Tim is also a respected teacher who lectures at the world renowned “Academy of Contemporary Music” (ACM) in Guildford and has also organised many music courses, work shops and master classes. The diverse range of players he has worked with over the years include: Matt Holland (Trumpet: Van Morrison, Ray Charles), Gaz Coombes (Supergrass), Albert Lee (Guitar: Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris), Alec Dankworth (Bass: Van Morrison), Guthrie Govan (Guitar: Steven Wilson, The Aristocrats), Steve White (Drums: Paul Weller, The Who), Laurence Cottle (Bass: Eric Clapton, Gary Moore), Irwin Sparkes (The Hoosiers), Chuck Sabo (Drums: Elton John) and many more. Tim uses Victory Amplifiers and Rotosound Strings.
6. Simon Carter – Piano, Organ & Keyboards
A keyboard player and musical director of great accomplishment, Simon Carter has worked with a huge array of artists in the world of pop, rock and jazz. He played with Jamiroquai between 1999 and 2002, which saw him tour the world many times over in promotion of the Synkronised and A Funk Odyssey albums. This was followed in 2003 with another major world tour with Craig David. He has also worked with artists as varied as Nik Kershaw, Elkie Brooks, 10cc, Leo Sayer, The Divine Comedy, Anastacia, Rick Astley, Kim Wilde and Midge Ure.
A graduate of The National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Simon toured extensively with Ronny Jordan, a major instigator of the Acid Jazz movement, and has also played with a host of American contemporary smooth jazz artists when they have visited Europe. His versatility is highlighted by stints as Assistant Musical Director of West End Shows: Five Guys Named Moe, Smokey Joe’s Café, and the Tony award winning RENT.
Simon is also a respected educator in pop music performance, which includes teaching posts at BIMM London and Kingston University.
7. Danny Schogger – Piano, Organ & Keyboards
After studying at the Royal Academy of Music, Danny Schogger was quickly in demand as a session keyboard player, recording with Paul Young, Chris De Burgh, Wham and George Michael, to name but a few.
While touring with Gallagher and Lyle, Hot Chocolate and Wham, Danny began to develop a writing career, which has seen him writing songs for artists such as Bananarama, Celine Dion and Heather Small. A growing reputation and demand as a producer led to working with artists as diverse as Nick Heyward, Sam Brown, Breathe, Jimmy Nail and Worlds Apart. Danny remains a very active producer/writer.
8. Paul Geary – Bass Guitars & Vocals
Geary is responsible for laying down the low frequencies of Nik Kershaw’s band. In 1993, he was voted Best “New Musician” by the British Music Association and has since established himself as one of the UK’s foremost studio bassists and active session musician.
Paul started his playing career comparatively late, having had no formal music training. He started playing bass in a gospel church at the age of 18 and shortly after this he went on to study music in the US and is now an Honours Graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston USA, and B.I.T, Musicians Institute of Technology in Los Angeles, California. He received his first break in 1991, working with soul diva Lisa Stansfield and Gabrielle.
He went on to work with Chris Rea and played alongside Jools Holland as part of the Prince’s Trust Rock School. Later, in the autumn of 1993, he started playing bass for Chris Norman, the former lead singer of Smokie. 1994 brought relocation to London to head up to the Academy of Contemporary Music’s bass school. Paul still found time in his busy schedule of full time courses at the Academy to lecture live performance workshops and he is also a contributor and columnist for Bass Guitar Magazine. Three years later, in 1997, Paul recorded a new studio album and went on tour with Nik Kershaw.
A second album with Kershaw followed two years later. Since then, the years have been busy touring and working as a music director and session musician with artists such as Lisa Stansfield, Gabrielle, George Michael, Simply Red, Chris Rea, A1, Nik Kershaw, Donny and Marie Osmond, The Lighthouse Family, Liberty X, Chris Norman, Geri Halliwell, Dane Bowers, Sophie Ellis Bexter, Clarksville, Enrique, Phix, Dside, Blazing Squad, Rachel Stevens, Mary J. Blige, Westlife and – since 2015 – The Dire Straits Experience.
Currently splitting his time between working with many of the above-mentioned artists and lecturing, Paul remains in demand as a bass player, music director and educator.
9. James Powell – Drums
Powell is fortunate to have the great British musician, Georgie Fame as his father. Aged 17 he joined Fame’s band and has remained in the drum chair for over 20 years.
During that time he has also worked with many eclectic artists including Bill Wyman, Van Morrison, Alan Price, Zoot Money, Stephen Duffy, Lloyd Cole, Marty Pellow, Christina Aguillera, Elaine Paige, David Cassidy, Des O’Connor, Robbie Williams, John Barrowman, Tony Hadley, Petula Clark and Elvis Costello.
Based in Central London, in addition to extensive recording, he has played on more than 20 West End shows. James endorses Sabian cymbals.
Facebook Comments