Biography of ZOO

ZOO are :
Paul Biggins : piano & keyboards, acoustic bass, spanish guitar, electronic rhythms and live sound
Karen Clegg : lead & harmony vocals, piano & keyboards, melodica, recorders, whistles & flutes, percussion
Reg Clegg : electric, acoustic & nylon guitars, electric and double bass, vocals, electronic rhythms, percussion, production
John Sanderson : tenor & soprano sax, flute, bass clarinet
Ian Beestin : drums & percussion


2013:
Release of 'MILLIONS' album, the fourth album for Red Admiral records, Feb 8th
Launch gig at Matt & Phred's, Manchester, Feb 8th
Videos for 'City', 'Everything & nothing', and 'Memory Game' or 'Millions' to be produced, Feb to June
Remixes of two tracks to follow...


2012:
Recording of 'Derbyshire Suite' released by JET Collective, May
'Derbyshire Suite' performed at Buxton Festival Methodist Church, July
and at Chesterfield Jazz Club, Aug
Recording of backing tracks and overdubs for 'MILLIONS' album, March to Dec
Production and mixing of 'MILLIONS', Nov onwards

2011:
Matt & Phred's sell-out gig in Manchester, May
Create 'Derbyshire Suite' as part of the newly formed 'JET Collective' eight-piece ensemble, and perfrom it at Stanton-in-Peak and Winster, June/Oct
Continue writing the bulk of what is to become the 'Millions' album

2010:
Release seventh CD 'PSYCHODRAMA' featuring special guest Guy Barker on Red Admiral Records to much critical acclaim
Establish Jet Collective artist led-network with Jazzx3 events at Leicester Y Theatre with Martin Taylor, ZOO, IDST, Stuart McCallum and Beats & Pieces Big Band
Begin JET Collective events at Nottingham Contemporary CafeBarLIve
Videos of 'Could've' and 'Breathing In'



2009:
Release sixth CD 'End of the telegraph wires' on Red Admiral Records, to critical acclaim
Collaboration with Guy Barker - performance at Bonington Theatre, Nottingham, Aug 13th
Cheltenham Jazz Fringe Festival, May 2nd
Lichfield Real Ale, Jazz & Blues Festival, June 27th
Spice of Life Jazz Club, Soho, London, Nov 12th
EMJAZZ 'Rhythm-a-ning' collaboration project with Nick Smart(Spring 09)
EMJAZZ gigs Sleaford Live Festival, May 4th
Yardbird Jazz Club, Birmingham, May 17th
'Energy' performed on Balcony TV, Camden Lock, London, Feb 24th
Latest video of 'Big red bus' released Aug '09
Videos of 'Leave it all behind' and 'Dirty' peak on Audiotube as Top Videos and Artist


2008 : *** Release sixth CD 'End of the telegraph wires' on Red Admiral Records featuring new expanded line-up plus guests
*** Selected for the East Midlands Jazz 'Rhythm-a-ning' project collaboration with major UK Jazz artist to take place Spring 2009
*** Interview and session on BBCWM and interviews on Que98.2 Radio
*** Release second single from 'Greenhouse' - 'Dirty', supported by promo video. 'Dirty' gets airplay on BBC6
*** Several headline appearances - Yardbird Jazz Club, Birmingham (x2), Dexter's Jazz Club, Nottingham (x2), The Hubb, Nottingham (x2) plus appearance at Hockley Hustle Festival at Escucha, Nottingham and Norman Cross Gallery, Peterborough and Little Theatre, Leicester

2007: *** WINNER of BEST JAZZ ARTIST at the 2007 Glasswerk UK NEW MUSIC AWARDS in London - also nominated finalists for 2 other awards Best Trio and Best Use of Instruments
*** Release 'Suddenly' single on Oct 15th to coincide with awards
*** Release fifth CD 'Greenhouse' on Red Admiral Records and through Cringe Music Publishing. UK distribution and worldwide downloads available through I-tunes and all major sites.
*** Launch CD with headline gig at Normanton Acoustic Club *** Headline the Durham "Taste" event, Stamford Rivercare event & Rufford Park Envirofest
*** Appear on Graham Wright's afternoon show on Rutland Radio
*** Special guests at Y Theatre, Leicester show *** 'Unravel' collaboration with Cascade Dance

2006: Headline Envirofest at Rufford Park (Notts), Ufford Beer Festival, Deepdale Food & Drink Festival and Stamford Rivercare event
*** Acoustic Lounge Summer Session, Clapham, London

2005: Third appearance at Bar Vida residency, Derby
*** Headline Thursday night at Derby Beer Festival
*** Perform at Stamford Riverside Festival on Acoustic Stage

2004: Record and produce fourth CD 'Endangered Species'
*** Appear as one of the headline acts at Kilsyth International Festival, Glasgow
*** Perform at Stamford Riverside Festival on outside Riverside Stage

2003: Record and produce third CD 'In between the silence'
*** Headline The Marr's Bar, Worcester

2002: Support Silverman & Lorna at The Marr's Bar, Worcester
*** Appear as part of BBC OneLive Alternative Festival at Junktion 7, Nottingham
*** Live multimedia launch event for second CD 'Discovery of Land' at Oldknows Studios
*** Headline The Maze

2001: Launched The Monastery's Thursday night live music sessions in Nottingham
*** Performed as closing act of Nottingham's Visualise Festival at The Maze
*** Record first CD 'Sinistra'

2000: ZOO formed