SHARON COUTANCHE
Sharon Coutanche is from the island of Jersey. From the age of 12 – 18, she received classical vocal training and was a prize winner for Classical Singing for numerous years at the Jersey Eisteddfods. Sharon performed in numerous Amateur Productions and sang with the Jersey Junior Youth Choir and The Holmchase Singers. At 12 she played the part of Annie Mary in the N.Y.M.T’s Production of ‘Once upon a War’ at the Jersey Opera House and was invited the following summer to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
At 18 Sharon trained for 3 years in Musical Theatre at Arts Educational, Chiswick, London. After graduating from Arts Educational, Sharon sung at the Royal Albert Hall in the Concert ‘Beyond the Barricade’ and played Cinderella for Pendle Production’s touring Pantomime. She has appeared in several short films, including ‘Suave Bastard’ produced by Stuart Fenegan which was shown at the Cannes Film Festival. She understudied Cinderella and was in the Ensemble in ‘Cinderella’ at Perth Theatre, UK.
During 2000-2002 Sharon worked as a Singing Waitress at the Restaurant ‘The Naked Turtle’, Richmond, London, where she entertained customers with the Jazz Standards. In 2002 Sharon performed in the Musical ‘Little Women’ at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London.
In 2003 Sharon taught singing to 6-18yr olds for Theatre Train and prepared them for their Motown Show at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London. She also played various characters in a 2-Hander Theatre in Education UK tour with Quantum Theatre for Science.
In 2004 Sharon played Aurora and Spider Woman in the Musical ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’ at the Emery Theatre, London and Rapunzel in the Musical ‘Into The Woods’ at the Greenwood Theatre, London.
During 2006-2008 she sang with the Hillingdon Jazz Orchestra and the Jazz duo ‘Smooth Edge’ at various venues, including the Annual President’s Reception at Surya, London, and Boris Johnson was the Guest of Honour. Sharon also Co-Produced and performed in a 2 Woman Show ‘Songs From The Musicals’ at the British Legion, Iver, raising money for Cancer Research.
In 2009 Sharon collaborated with Musician and Producer Kevin Julien on a cover of ‘Everything’ by Chris Ford. Their version was chosen by 37 Track Recordings and Chris Ford for promotion. In April 2010 Sharon was invited by Songwriter Dave Charles to record his song ‘No’ at Berry Street Studio, London. From 2009-2011 Sharon collaborated with Musician and Producer Jon Beswick on original material.
In recent years Sharon has gained a B.A. Hons in Performance Studies from City University London, sang with the band Joyrig, which were featured on The Organic Music Sequence on Wycombe Sound 106.6 FM on the 22nd January 2018, and sings regularly with the Heath Singers.
Sharon has always loved singing the Jazz Standards and began work on her Jazz Duo in 2017 with George Stokes. As well as gigging, Sharon and George write songs in different genres. They released their debut single ‘Rainbows’ on the 1st May 2020 which raised £1,086.00 for the NHS Together Charities and was played on 8 radio stations. Sharon and George have released 8 singles and their songs have been played on local radio stations in the UK and on BBC Radio Jersey.
GEORGE STOKES
George Stokes is from Mile End, East London. George is an accomplished pianist with over 40 years’ experience in the music industry. From 1977 to 2003 he worked in retail demonstrating the latest electronic organs and keyboard products. During this time George gigged with various bands and participated in recording sessions at Sarm Studios, including working with Producer Gary Lyons.
In recent years he has accompanied vocalist Mel Von Drau playing at venues including Berkeley Square and Park Lane Casinos.
During 2016 and 2017 he toured with an Elvis Presley Tribute Show and with the Country Band ‘3rd and Lindsey’.
Since 2018 George has been gigging and collaborating with Sharon on original songs, composing music and gigging with various bands.
Sharon Coutanche 