European exclusive dates for legendary American jazz-funk producer, composer and drummer Norman Connors and the Starship Orchestra, with special guests Bobby Lyle, Glenn Jones and Marva King.

Born in Philadelphia, Norman Connors started his career as drummer with John Coltrane, Archie Shepp and Pharaoh Sanders, releasing his debut album, Dance of Magic, as a bandleader in 1972. After signing with Buddha Records in 1974, where he also became the label’s A&R manager, Connors scored his biggest crossover hits with ‘Valentine Love’ featuring Michael Henderson & Jean Carne (1975), ‘We Both Need Each Other’ (1976), and his signature song ‘You Are My Starship’, which was written and sung by Michael Henderson.

Connors’ back catalogue is a treasure trove of rare groove and jazz-dance classics such as ‘Mother of the Future’, ‘Captain Connors’, ‘Mr C’, ‘Phoenix’, ‘I’ve Been There’, ‘Stella’, and ‘Samba for Maria’, and many more.

Across his remarkable career, Norman Connors has performed and recorded with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clarke, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Airto Moreira, Alphonse Mouzon, Cecil McBee, Gary Bartz, Eddie Henderson, Hubert Laws, Bill Summers, Carlos Garnett, Ron Carter, Anthony Jackson, Jean Carne, Phyllis Hyman, Lee Ritenour, James Gadson, Dorothy Ashby, Paulinho Da Costa, The Jones Girls, Nathan East, Glenn Jones, Peabo Bryson, Sun Ra, Mtume, Freddie Hubbard, and Billy Paul, among many others.

Glenn Jones, who was produced by Norman Connors, is best known for his songs ‘Show Me’, ‘We’ve Only Just Begun (The Romance Is Not Over)’, and ‘Here I Go Again’ which reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B charts in 1991-92, as well as the track ‘I’ve Been Searching (Nobody Like You)’.

Marva King brings an equally impressive legacy, having performed with Prince, as well as toured with Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie. She has also performed in London as a solo artist with her band and is highly respected by audiences in the U. K.

Keyboardist Bobby Lyle started his career in the Young-Holt Unlimited group in the late 1960s. After stints touring with Sly & The Family Stone and Ronnie Laws, Bobby released his classic LP The Genie (1977) and 17 essential solo albums over his career, and has performed with Anita Baker, George Benson, Phyllis Hyman, Al Jarreau, and many more.

Doors 6pm. Full stage times to be announced – please check back nearer the time.