ENVIZIBLE ORKESTRA

Crossover Prog • United Kingdom

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Envizible Orkestra biography
ENVIZIBLE ORKESTRA was formed in 1989 by Jon Mayson although at this time they did not perform much original material. The original line up was Jon - Guitar & Vocals, Mark Birch - Keyboards, Steven Wright - Drums and Simon Gott - Bass. The next line up and the first to focus on Jon's compositions consisted of Jon plus Tony Willis (Ex-Parallax) - Bass, Adam Taylor - Keyboards, Jim Pitchforth (lately with Jane McDonald) - Drums & Vocals and James Lawton - Violin. This line up was short lived although two live tracks by this line up are included on "WELCOME TO THE SHOW" CD.

Gafro joined the band on Drums in 1992 and played with the band on the 1992 Tour although other commitments were later to make him an intermittent member. Drummer Trevor Griffiths joined the band in 1994 (after Jon had played keyboards for his band Wambat) along with bassist Jezz Watson who was an old friend Jon knew after seeing his Blues band play around the Wakefield area. This line up of Jon, Trevor and Jez recorded the six track album "GADZOOKS!". They were augmented by keyboard genius Nigel Chapman and Percussion wizard Peter (Pierre) Birkby who later joined 60s and 70s superstar Shirley Bassey's band.

The following year "OF HEAVEN BORN" was recorded featuring nine tracks but due to other engagements Jez Watson was unable to supply his superb bass skills to either the album or subsequent tour. He was replaced by the formidable Adrian (Bill) Bailey, one of two Sleepy People band members who can be heard on the album. The Sleepys would later divide to become the bands Blue Apple Boy and Ultrasound. Jon Recorded Ultrasound's first demos at his Maysonic Studios, the band went on to achieve minor chart success. Rachel Hope is the second Sleepy band member to feature on "OF HEAVEN BORN" where she supplies backing vocals. The album is completed by internationally renowned Saxophonist Nathan Birchall who provides some wonderful playing that compliments Jon's Guitar, Ian Stevenson and David Vause - Keyboards and Mat Gibling - Flute.

After the 1996 tour the band was put on the back burner for a while only playing one gig for a TV show to promote the sixteen track compilation CD "WELCOME TO THE SHOW" in 1997. The TV appearance featured the then current line up of Jon, Paul Seaman - Electric Piano (who also played additional Electric Piano on "FORGE THE TRIANGLE"), Graham Foster - Drums and Glenn Allott on Bass who also co wrote on the next album, played with Jon in Soul Di...ENVIZIBLE ORKESTRA was formed in 1989 by Jon Mayson although at this time they did not perform much original material. The original line up was Jon - Guitar & Vocals, Mark Birch - Keyboards, Steven Wright - Drums and Simon Gott - Bass. The next line up and the first to focus on Jon's compositions consisted of Jon plus Tony Willis (Ex-Parallax) - Bass, Adam Taylor - Keyboards, Jim Pitchforth (lately with Jane McDonald) - Drums & Vocals and James Lawton - Violin. This line up was short lived although two live tracks by this line up are included on "WELCOME TO THE SHOW" CD.

Gafro joined the band on Drums in 1992 and played with the band on the 1992 Tour although other commitments were later to make him an intermittent member. Drummer Trevor Griffiths joined the band in 1994 (after Jon had played keyboards for his band Wambat) along with bassist Jezz Watson who was an old friend Jon knew after seeing his Blues band play around the Wakefield area. This line up of Jon, Trevor and Jez recorded the six track album "GADZOOKS!". They were augmented by keyboard genius Nigel Chapman and Percussion wizard Peter (Pierre) Birkby who later joined 60s and 70s superstar Shirley Bassey's band.

The following year "OF HEAVEN BORN" was recorded featuring nine tracks but due to other engagements Jez Watson was unable to supply his superb bass skills to either the album or subsequent tour. He was replaced by the formidable Adrian (Bill) Bailey, one of two Sleepy People band members who can be heard on the album. The Sleepys would later divide to become the bands Blue Apple Boy and Ultrasound. Jon Recorded Ultrasound's first demos at his Maysonic Studios, the band went on to achieve minor chart success. Rachel Hope is the second Sleepy band member to feature on "OF HEAVEN BORN" where she supplies backing vocals. The album is completed by internationally renowned Saxophonist Nathan Birchall who provides some wonderful playing that compliments Jon's Guitar, Ian Stevenson and David Vause - Keyboards and Mat Gibling - Flute.

After the 1996 tour the band was put on the back burner for a while only playing one gig for a TV show to promote the sixteen track compilation CD "WELCOME TO THE SHOW" in 1997. The TV appearance featured the then current line up of Jon, Paul Seaman - Electric Piano (who also played additional Electric Piano on "FORGE THE TRIANGLE"), Graham Foster - Drums and Glenn Allott on Bass who also co wrote on the next album, played with Jon in Soul Distinction and Paracelsus and was later to rejoin the band in time to play on "A CATHARSIS OF SCIENCE" . Glenn had previously played with Gary Husband in The Jazz/Rock band The Truth Unfolds as well as stints with Manhattan Sound, The Bachelors, Les Dawson, Bob Monkhouse and Charlie Cairoli.

In 2002 "FORGE THE TRIANGLE" was released and was highly praised by fans and reviewers alike. The nine track album features a strong collection of Progressive/Jazz/Rock tunes with Jez Watson - Bass, Gafro - Drums and Richard Simpkins - Keyboards. Jon also ran a Canterbury covers band called PARACELSUS and a seven piece Soul band called SOUL DISTINCTION. Whilst playing with PARACELSUS Jon worked with Mark Lee, the formidable Drummer who had previously worked as a session musician with Bucks Fizz and Norman Wisdom to name but Two. Mark was the first choice when it came to reboot ENVIZIBLE ORKESTRA.

2018 saw the release of "A CATHARSIS OF SCIENCE" a five track album containing around 65 minutes of Classic Progressive Jazz Rock. Prog Magazine called it "tastefully blazing". The band played a special 30th anniversary gig in 2019 and this band were due to play more gigs and record a new album in 2020 but the pandemic put a temporary halt to these plans. To keep the momentum going the bands first two albums (that are previously unreleased) have been remixed from the original tapes and augmented with a host of bonus recordings and will be available from the 28th November 2020. The band hope to be recording new material for the next ENVIZIBLE ORKESTRA album in 2021 all things permitting.

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ENVIZIBLE ORKESTRA discography

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ENVIZIBLE ORKESTRA top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.00 | 1 ratings

Forge the Triangle
2001

3.00 | 1 ratings

A Catharsis of Science
2018

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