New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Lisa Davies Promotions/Caravela Music) Ed Barker, who until a matter of weeks ago, used to run an MP's office in Westminster, has finally hung up the political gloves after achieving record successes in the US pop charts. After studying Law at Nottingham University and taking his place amongst the Parliament elite, it was his first love of music, and the saxophone in particular that would get the deciding vote.
"It is fantastic that you are doing so well......with my very best wishes for the future"
- Rt Hon
David Cameron MP, Prime Minister
"Parliament has lost a promising young politician, but the world has gained a rare musical talent who will contribute so much to our musical pleasure." - Michael Connarty MP
"Ed's got a beautiful sound on both the alto & tenor…a sweetness and earnestness in his approach that makes his music so listenable and refreshing." - Dave Koz
"A sax scandal….thats all we need in Westminster! Good Luck Ed" - Anon
· No.1 in the US Independent Pop Charts
· No.1 on the Independent Mainstream Network
· No.3 on the US Adult Contemporary Billboard Indie Chart
· Played in excess of 25,000 times on US
Radio Stations
Watch the video now on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmyRZQ-Rhrk
"When word gets out about Ed's album he is quickly going to become a lot moe famous than the politicians he used to work for" -
David Davies MP
"One of the brightest new singles so far in 2014 and a chart-breaker for us" - New
Music Weekly USA
"He's a fine man, a fine musician &
Simple Truth is a wonderful album. We are very proud to call him one of our own." - John Hemming MP
"Young, energetic and unafraid…..listen & look out" - Dr Richard Niles
Running a parallel life as a political speech-writer and researcher working in the House of Commons for various MPs, including the current Attorney General, and as principal saxophonist for Britain's
National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Ed was asked to be the featured soloist for
George Michael on his Symphonica Tour.
"I'd go to work in Parliament at 9am, run the office, write speeches, have a meeting with
William Hague or
David Cameron's press team and then turn into Ed the jazzman and play in Wembley
Arena with
George Michael or in one of London's top jazz clubs!"
As a result of this exposure, Ed found himself playing all over the world, most notably with LA's Dave Koz,
Gerald Albright and the late Ricky Lawson, who used to drum for Michael Jackson. In the meantime, he started putting together his own solo album, featuring all his favourite artists from around the world, including: Laurence Cottle on electric bass; Ben Butler - New York based guitarist for
George Michael; Richard Niles on guitar - LA based former producer for Ray Charles; BBC Strictly Come Dancing singer, Lance Ellington; Keyboard player - Chris Eldred; and Jasper
Morrissey on drums.
"He really was a delight to work with and we shall miss him. Clearly of man on many talents but I'm glad he has followed his heart…..I'm sure he won't regret it"
- Dominic Grieve QC MP, Attorney General
The debut US smash hit single "
When You Smile" has convinced Ed to leave behind the grubby world of Westminster and pursue the cleaner life of Rock 'n' Roll, although he claims the two callings are not so different: -
"Writing speeches and writing music, for me, feel like similar skills. You have to understand your audience and reflect what they want to hear in what you write but you also have to innovate, deliver a new message and capture the public's imagination and not play the same old tunes or deliver the same old lines. I loved comparing the two jobs and I learnt so much about how to understand an audience by being involved in both songwriting and speech-writing."
And to prove that its not always hot air bellowing through the halls:-
"I also set up an MP jazz band which was great fun and I played with them at various events. We actually rehearsed in a room at the top of the Palace and our rehearsals could be heard, floating down the Corridors of Power. Nobody seemed to know where it was coming from."
Ed has just finished a series of sell out dates at
Pizza Express Jazz Soho and is quickly becoming one of the UK's rising Jazz Stars. "
When You Smile" is taken from the debut album "Simple Truth" due for release in
September 2014.
"Ed is a fine saxophonist, pianist & arranger....and a mind that one rarely sees." - Nigel Hitchcock
"He put together a jazz band to play at a reception on my last day as Deputy Prime
Minister which put all his values, commitments and sheer joy together." - Lord John Prescott
www.edbarker.co.uk
