Shakatak

SHAKATAK – the UK’s coolest band – THEIR GREATEST HITS AND COOL TRACKS SHOW.

Shakatak’s unique fusion of jazz-funk and pop made them one of the most influential bands of the 80s. From dancefloors to airwaves, their music became a soundtrack to the decade, with hits like “Down On The Street”, “Night Birds”, “Dark Is The Night” and “Easier Said Than Done” still instantly recognizable today. Despite over four decades in the spotlight, Shakatak’s sound remains as fresh as ever, thanks to their signature blend of smooth vocals, tight rhythms and soulful keyboard melodies. Their live shows are a masterclass in musicianship, overflowing with the same effervescent energy that first brought them fame.

“This music still glows as brightly as that first hearing… Shakatak aren’t just a band, they were the soundtrack to our lives.” RONNIE SCOTT’S House Magazine (UK)

Throughout their long career Shakatak have released over 50 CDs plus several DVDs and most of the band’s extensive back catalogue is available world-wide on Spotify and the usual outlets. For live performances the band consists of original members Bill Sharpe (keys), Jill Saward (lead voc, perc & flt), Roger Odell (drs), George Anderson (bs gtr) and Keith Winter (gtr) augmented with Jacqui Hicks (bvs & sax) or Debby Bracknell (bvs & flt) producing a musically dynamic and entertaining show from the 6 piece line-up.

Shakatak have enjoyed a level of success and career longevity rarely paralleled in contemporary music but then Shakatak is a particularly unusual group. Because of the nature of their music their fan base is one that is far reaching while always retaining an “underground” element. This paradox sees the band, who are known primarily for their musicality, enjoying both high “cult” status and instant recognition as a household name due to their numerous hit recordings.

Taking only the last decade of a 40 year plus career the band performed at the Cape Town International Jazz festival and they headlined at the Swansea Jazz Festival. After their annual trip to Japan the band played several dates in Mexico and in August Shakatak performed in Jersey for the first time. In September they
returned to Germany and Holland for a two week tour and further concerts in Budapest, Kosice and Minsk plus UK dates finish off a busy 2014.

Having had a few years to tour the world and get new ideas the band recorded a new album through 2022 and 2023. After a 4 year wait the new Shakatak album “Eyes of the World” was released at the end of October 2023. Featuring 14 new songs it was received with great critical acclaim and appeared in several charts around the world.

2026 continues to see the band tour worldwide taking in Africa, Indonesia, Germany, Holland, France and of course an extensive tour schedule for the UK. So life
is good for the Shaks!! See them in Tiverton in 2027.

“The final act of the evening and of the entire festival was the illustrious Shakatak. Rarely has a group enjoyed so much success in a jazz field but tonight we were given insight into why they are held in such high regard. They are consummate professionals with seemingly unlimited stamina and an instinctive ability to hold an audience…tonight they proved they are timeless”. BUZZ Magazine.

“A wild diversity seldom found anymore… tons of rhythmic and stylistic variety…slamming” JAZZIZ Magazine (USA)