[ ClassicalX ] Ansell at the Hard Rock Cafe

Jonathan will be joining acts such as Ocean Colour Scene, Chris Difford and James Fox to perform at the 'March on Stage' event in London on March 4, with proceeds going towards the Nordoff Robins Music Therapy charity.

Hard Rock International’s much anticipated March On Stage series is back with a stellar line up of artists ready to rock the UK, with all proceeds benefiting Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy - The UK’s leading independent provider of music therapy services. Now in its third year, March On Stage, which kick starts at the end of February, will see Ocean Colour Scene, James Fox, Jonathan Ansell and Chris Difford performing at Hard Rock Cafes in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Manchester.

March on Stage favourites, Ocean Colour Scene, return to play the Hard Rock Cafes after their sell out series of gigs in 2007. The definitive British rock band of the 1990s will perform some of their most memorable tracks including their 90s hits ‘Marchin’ Already’, ‘Moseley Shoals’ and ‘One From The Modern’ as well as tracks from their 2007 album ‘On The Leyline’.

Wales’ finest James Fox swaps the West End Stage for the Hard Rock stage when he plays Hard Rock Cardiff on 2 March. Having reached the final of the BBC’s Fame Academy, James subsequently shot to stardom in 2004 when he represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest with his track ‘Hold On To Our Love’ reaching number 13 in the UK chart and number 7 in the Welsh charts.

Operatic sensation Jonathan Ansell joins the March On Stage series playing Hard Rock London on 4 March. The high tenor began his career as part of the classical pop group G4 having been discovered on The X Factor show in 2004. G4’s self-titled debut album topped the charted in March 2005 selling over 250,000 copies in its first week of release. Since leaving the group in 2007, Jonathan has embarked on his own solo career and will release his first album ‘Tenor at the Movies’ on 18 February 2008.

Singer, songwriter and record producer Chris Difford closes the March on Stage series when he plays London Cafe on 8 April. The once member of Squeeze and Difford & Tillbrook, Chris Difford’s has released a succession of hits including ‘Tempted’, ‘Up The Junction and ‘Annie Get Your Gun’. He has also written lyrics to music by Jools Holland, Elton John, Wet Wet Wet, Marti Pellow as well as co-writing Lisa Stanfield’s 2004 European hit single ‘If I Hadn’t Got You’.

Last year Jamelia and Ocean Colour Scene helped Hard Rock raise over £35,000 for Nordoff Robbins in the spirit Hard Rocks commitment to “Love All, Serve All”.

Quote from Hard Rock: ‘It has always been Hard Rock's philosophy to give back to the local communities in which we live and part of our philanthropic commitment as a global company is to increase our charitable activities. Nordoff-Robbins, however has been a long standing partner of Hard Rock's and we are delighted to have the opportunity to host these fantastic shows for the second year. We hope this relationship continues for many years and are looking forward to this years March on Stage.’

‘Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy are delighted to be involved for a second year with 'March on Stage' and the Hard Rock Cafes.... it is very exciting to be a part of this event and we thank them for their continuing support' - Nicky Weller, Fundraising Manager.

In addition to these incredible intimate live shows Hard Rock will be raffling off a limited edition March On Stage Epiphone Guitar signed by musical greats such as Paul Weller to further raise money for the charity. There will also be exclusive Hard Rock and Nordoff Robbins pins available to fans at each of the Cafes.

March On Stage Dates:

February 28, 2008
Hard Rock Cafe Manchester - Carbon / Silicon featuring Tony James and Mick Jones (Clash)

March 2, 2008
Hard Rock Cafe Cardiff - James Fox

March 4, 2008
Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh - Ocean Colour Scene
Hard Rock Cafe London - Jonathan Ansell

March 5, 2008
Hard Rock Cafe Manchester - Ocean Colour Scene

March 12, 2008
Hard Rock Cafe Cardiff - Ocean Colour Scene

March 13,2008
Hard Rock Cafe London - Ocean Colour Scene

April 8, 2008
Hard Rock Cafe London - Chris Difford

Tickets are available from www.aloud.com and all Hard Rock shops. For more information go to www.hardrock.com

Source: OS