‘Funk Soul Orchestral: James Brown vs Prince’ is a unique and exciting live music performance that celebrates the genius of the most legendary and iconic names in funk and soul music: James Brown and Prince. Conceptualised by Band Leader and Creative Director Ashton Jones and brought to life by Musical Director and Orchestral Arranger Harry Greene, their critically acclaimed debut and double sell-out show at Ronnie Scott’s was a world-class celebration of the greatest funk and soul songs ever written.

Ashton Jones is a highly respected and in-demand live performer and recording artist in the UK, known for his audience captivating brand of energy, musicianship and flair. He has been championed by BBC Radio 2, Craig Charles, and BBC 6 Music, fronting multiple sold-out shows at Ronnie Scott’s with his original funk outfit: The Ashton Jones Project. Jones has performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra, appeared at The London Palladium, The Jazz Cafe, and fronted Amazon’s global ad campaign singing Freddie Scott’s classic “You Got What I Need.” This year he returns to Cheltenham Jazz Festival to perform with Gregory Porter and Guy Barker for their inaugural Soul Jazz Summit.

Multi-instrumentalist Harry Greene has firmly cemented himself as a masterful Musical Director, arranger and composer. In addition to performing with his own projects around top UK and European venues, he has also performed alongside the likes of Cory Wong, Mica Paris, PBUG and Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson. Recent performance highlights include being asked to perform at the Royal Albert Hall for the “Ronnie Scott’s at 60” Gala, and being personally selected to share the stage with New Power Generation member and Prince side-woman Marva King for her UK tour. An increasingly in-demand composer and arranger, Harry’s music has also been used on a host of prime time TV shows. He was recently asked to contribute to a brand new Disney soundtrack.

Together, Jones and Greene have brought ‘Funk Soul Orchestral: James Brown vs Prince’ to life with an incredible orchestra featuring the UK’s finest talent. The result is a vibrant, lively and insanely funky show, featuring high energy performances, paying homage to the iconic and glittering legacies of James Brown and Prince. This show is an absolute must-see for fans of funk and soul music and is a perfect fit for music festivals looking to add a touch of world-class, legacy celebration to their line-ups. ‘James Brown vs Prince’ is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Funk Soul Orchestral trailer