Singer-songwriter Parry Ray live at Chelsea Jazz Club

27 September 2017, 20.30

The Pheasantry Jazz Club, London

SINGER-SONGWRITER PARRY RAY TEAMS UP WITH THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS CHARITY FOR HER LIVE DEBUT AT LONDON’S THE PHEASANTRY JAZZ CLUB

On Wednesday 27 September 2017 at 8.30 pm (doors open 7 pm), London-based singer-songwriter Parry Ray will make her debut at prestigious Chelsea jazz club The Pheasantry.

A consummate performer, whose appearances on London’s best-known stages include gigs at Ronnie Scott’s and at the Royal Albert Hall Verdi Room, on this occasion Parry will present music from her latest, fourth album Know the Way Back. A journey through the sounds of the 78 - 88 decade through fresh arrangements of hits of that time, the work features Parry’s very personal re-interpretations of music by artists such as Blondie, The Cure, Bowie, and Fine Young Cannibals, presented in her trademark style mixing jazz, pop and swing. Parry’s choice of repertoire for the album, and for this live show, is also a journey through her own life: her musical development was hugely influenced by what she heard between the end of the 70s and throughout the 80s, and each song is connected to a life memory of hers.

Parry has decided to team up with The Compassionate Friends (TCF) charity for her Pheasantry debut. Founded in 1969, the London-based charity is dedicated to creating a supportive network of bereaved parents for parents, siblings and grandparents who have suffered the death of a child or children of any age of any cause.

Whilst Parry has not lost a child, she struggled for many years with the effects of bereavement after losing her father in an unexpected, traumatic event. A mother of two herself, she has also, like so many others, been acutely affected by recent crises and tragedies abroad and domestically and has been looking at ways to do her part in helping people affected.

Parry says: “It took me 7 years to feel I was emotionally strong enough to even process my father’s death. Though it never leaves me and we lost him far too soon, it is the “natural order of life”, I suppose. Losing a child is not. I know people who have and the way they carry on is just so brave, I don’t know if I could. The Compassionate Friends do great work in supporting these families. It was hard to pick a charity as they all do wonderful work. But I knew I wanted to give to a smaller organisation and I can’t get away from how many people have to live with bereavement and how debilitating it is.”

Parry has decided to donate a percentage of the Pheasantry ticket sales to TCF, while collection boxes will be available on the night.

Carolyn Brice, Chief Executive of The Compassionate Friends, commented: “'Every year thousands of parents suffer the death of a child. Our charity offers support, understanding, compassion and, above all, hope, to these families, given by bereaved parent volunteers who truly know the anguish and pain the loss of a beloved child brings. We are so immensely grateful to Parry Ray for extending her support to The Compassionate Friends and for helping us to reach out to those who have suffered the loss of a child of any age and from any cause."

Tickets for Parry Ray's debut are £8.00 - available online here