'The Nation's Ukulele Orchestra'
BBC News, Radio 4, 23rd September 2014
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The Ukulele Orchestra

The members of the Ukulele Orchestra...

George Hinchliffe
Founder member and director of the orchestra. Born and grew up in Sheffield. Studied in Leeds. Started playing the ukulele in 1960. Founded the ukes in 1985. Has worked with Michael Nyman, Mary Wells, Brian Eno, The British Youth Choir, Ron Geesin, The Anjaana Asian Music Group of Bradford, Snake Davis and the Alligator Shoes. Was a noteur for Fairground Organs. Writes and arranges for the orchestra, including the original music in "Ukulelescope", and "Dreamspiel". Has recorded several solo CDs. Lives in Kent.
Kitty Lux
Founder member and director of the orchestra. Born and grew up in London. Studied in Leeds. Started playing the ukulele in 1982. Founded the ukes in 1985. Kitty retired from touring with the orchestra in 2015 due to ill health. Sadly she passed away in 2017 leaving a great legacy for the orchestra. For her fans, the CD of songs, written by Kitty and recorded by her band ‘Really’, is available here.
Richie Williams
One of the original members of the orchestra, and also the one of the latest additions to the line up, having had over a decade of absence. "Time off for good behaviour". Born in Bootle. Grew up and studied in Liverpool. Started playing the guitar aged 6. Played at the Cavern Club with Thin Lizzy. Joined the ukes in 1985 and again in 2003. Was a roadie for Frank Zappa and Status Quo. Has worked with Mary Wells, Martha Reeves, Edwin Starr, Ben E King, Snake Davis and the Alligator Shoes. Worked with many other bands including his "Three Men and a Bass". Lives in Dorset.
Will Grove-White
Almost the youngest member of the orchestra. Born in London. Grew up in Sheperd's Bush, London. Studied in Manchester. Started playing the ukulele in 1986. Joined the ukes in 1991. Had to have written permission to take the day off school to appear on TV with the ukes. Has won several Royal TV Society awards for his documentaries. Fronts his own "Will Grove-White and the Others" band. Has released several solo CDs. Lives in London.
Dave Suich
The member of the orchestra with the longest hair. Born in Erith, Kent. Grew up in London. Studied in Leeds. Started playing the ukulele in 1980. Joined the ukes in 1985. Has worked with Rik Mayall, Malcolm Hardy. Also known as "Joe Bazouki", a Glastonbury Festival compere over 20 years. Fronted his own groups including "Friends of the Monster" and "The Missing Puddings", and supported "Screaming Lord Sutch". Has released several solo CDs. Lives in London.
Hester Goodman
The member of the orchestra whose ukulele playing father met her piano playing mother at Cecil Sharp house in the 1950s (where the ukes had a residency decades later). Born in Kent. Grew up in Totnes, Devon. Studied in London. Started playing the ukulele in 1980. Joined the ukes in 1990. Has worked with "The Hairy Marys", Charmian Hughes and "Elvenbitch" and appeared on TV as an actress. Won the Totnes Pavement Artist competition aged 8. Wrote original music for the ukes film show: "Ukulelescope". Has released a solo CD. Lives in Dorset.
Peter Brooke Turner
The tallest member of the orchestra. Born in Lisbon, Portugal. Grew up in the Soviet Union, Brazil, America, Finland and Italy. Started playing the ukulele in 1989. Joined the ukes in 1994. Has worked with Des O-Connor, Jules Holland, Shaking Stevens and Vic Reeves. Lent his uke to Tiny Tim for a London gig. Usually enters the Eurovision Song Contest. Fronted his own "Ukulele Kings" uke rock group. Has released several solo CDs. Lives in Kent.
Jonty Bankes
The member of the orchestra who in addition to playing the bass ukulele, whistles virtuosically. Born in Branston, Lincolnshire. Grew up Lincolnshire. Started playing the ukulele as a youngster playing George Formby. Joined the ukes in 1992. Has worked with Ray Davis, John Mayall, Lousiana Red and Chuck Berry. Was a London Bus driver. Plays with his own rock group in Hamburg where he lives. Has appeared on numerous CDs with other artists.
Leisa Rea
The member of the orchestra who first trod the boards at the age of 5 as an Andy Capp impersonator. Born and raised in Manchester. Educated in Wales and Yorkshire. Started playing the ukulele last century. Joined the ukes this century (2003). Has straddled the worlds of Comedy, Theatre and Music (winner of the 2009 Musical Comedy Awards) and appeared on stage, tv and radio. Wrote for smash hit BAFTA nominated comedy on the BBC. Lives in London.
Ben Rouse
The member of the orchestra most likely to be caught pulling ukulele rock poses. Born in Truro, Cornwall. Grew up in Gosport, Hampshire. Started playing the ukulele in 2011 after playing the guitar since he was 11. Joined the Ukes in 2014. Bought his first ukulele after watching the Ukes on TV. Works as a solo performer and also teaches the ukulele, runs workshops and arranges classical pieces for publication. Has released his first ukulele solo album “Solo Ukulele”. Lives in Hampshire.
Laura Currie
The youngest member of the orchestra. Born and raised in Dumfries, Scotland. Studied English Literature in Edinburgh. Started playing the ukulele in 2011 after seeing the Ukes in concert. Became a deputy for the Ukes in 2019. Edited the Ukulele Lockdown videos. Performs and releases music under the solo stage name Ra. Also plays piano, bass and guitar. Lives in Scotland.
Ewan Wardrop
Born and raised in Sidmouth, Devon. Started playing the ukulele in 1998 but also plays Mandolin, guitar and the penny whistle. Trained as a ballet dancer and appeared in a record-breaking run of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake on Broadway. Performs a self-written one-man show based on the life of George Formby. Has a Morris Dance Group called The Bo Diddlers. Lives in Sussex.
Dave Bowie
The member of the orchestra who started on flute, graduated to baritone sax, then to electric bass, then to double bass. Born and grew up in London. Started playing the bass in 1977. Joined the ukes in 1985. Has worked with Martha Reeves, Edwin Starr, Blue (boy band). Is reputed to be more intelligent than a double bass player needs to be. Has released several CDs: The Burden of Paradise, The Alligator Shoes, Really, Maggie Boyle, Steve Tilston. Lives in Leeds.
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