Lots happening – a new single, Forbidden Fruit, from Marvin Muoneké with Alex Webb & The Copasetics drops on August 22nd (available on all digital and streaming platforms); and there’s a host of Copasetic gigs all over London and beyond!

The UK jazz scene has produced a good number of world-class vocalists over the years – but almost all females. Now, a remarkable young man, Marvin Muoneké, is about to throw his hat into the ring with his standout single, Forbidden Fruit.

Dubbed ‘The Young Man With The Old Soul’, Marvin is blessed an unforgettable bass-baritone voice reminiscent of the Nat King Cole sound. Heavily influenced by greats such Frank Sinatra, Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sammy Davis Jr., as well as bandleaders such as Quincy Jones, Count Basie and Duke Ellington, he is a composer, arranger and songwriter who swings hard and plays pretty good jazz trumpet, too.

Marvin began singing at his local church kids choir at the age of 6, then at the age of 15, won first prize in a talent contest with his rendition of Sinatra’s rendition of Fly Me To The Moon. It would introduce Marvin to the world of vocal jazz and the beginning of a career destined to swing. Impeccably dressed and sharply styled, Muoneké is a busy live performer who has recently teamed up with pianist, composer and arranger Alex Webb. Webb himself has a history of discovering and working with leading jazz vocalists; his songs have been recorded by Liane Carroll, China Moses, Jo Harrop, Cherise, Ayanna Witter-Johnson and many others.

Combining their talents, Marvin and Alex release their debut single Forbidden Fruit, a Webb composition with an irresistible Blue Note-style groove. With sharp-witted, playful advice to lovers about life’s temptations, this track leans into an infectious, danceable, feel-good rhythm, powered by blistering Hammond organ. Recorded live in just one day and produced by bassist Andrew Cleyndert, the song retains the freshness of a live performance and oozes summer soul.

Forbidden Fruit has become a fixture Marvin and Alex’s live shows and is set to announce Marvin to a wider public. Released on 22 August it coincides with their performance at Battersea Park in Concert on 25 August.

UPCOMING LIVE PERFORMANCES:

Monday 25 th August (Bank Holiday)
Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ: Battersea Park in Concert (headlining with Jools Holland) with the Marvin Muoneké Septet.  Marvin brings a larger group including Andy Davies (trumpet) David Lalljee (trombone) and Alex Webb (piano) to open this prestigious open-air jazz event at one of London’s great parks. For tickets & info: Battersea Park In Concert – Jools Holland & Special Guests Tickets | Monday, 25 Aug 2025 at 1:30 PM

Saturday 13th September
Brasserie Toulouse Lautrec, 140 Newington Butts, Kennington, London SE11 4RN: The Pocket Ellington, the acclaimed mini-big band which explores classic Ellingtonia with a front line of Tony Kofi and Alan Barnes (reeds), Andy Davies (trumpet) and David Lalljee (trbne). Pianist/arranger Alex Webb leads the rhythm section of Dave Green (bass) and Winston Clifford (drums).  For tickets & info: The Pocket Ellington ft. Tony Kofi & Alan Barnes – Toulouse Lautrec

Tuesday 16th September
Pizza Express, Dean Street, Soho London W1: Riketté Genesis and Alex Webb present ‘Billie Holiday at Carnegie Hall’, an evocation of Lady Day’s historic 1956 appearance at the New York venue, with Andy Davies (trumpet), Josh Kemp (tenor), Neville Malcolm (bass) Alfonso Vitale (drums) and Webb (piano). For tickets & info: 
Billie Holiday at Carnegie Hall feat. Riketté Genesis | Pizza Express Live

Friday 26th September
Brasserie Toulouse Lautrec, 140 Newington Butts, Kennington, London SE11 4RN: It Takes Two, with Marvin Muoneké and Lulu Pierre. Sarah Vaughan & Billy Eckstine, Ella & Louis, Ray Charles & Betty Carter – jazz has a rich history of romantic and swinging duets. Stellar vocalists Marvin and Lulu recreate some of the greatest of these duets with the Alex Webb Trio (with Hamish Moore, bass and Dan Hester, drums). For tickets & info: It Takes Two: Lulu Pierre & Marvin Muoneké sing The Great Jazz Duets – Toulouse Lautrec

Tuesday 30th September
The Stables, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes, MK17 8LU:  The Pocket Ellington, the acclaimed mini-big band which explores classic Ellingtonia with a front line of Tony Kofi and Alan Barnes (reeds), Andy Davies (trumpet) and David Lalljee (trbne).  Pianist / arranger Alex Webb leads the rhythm section of Dave Green (bass) and Alfonso Vitale (drums). For tickets & info: The Pocket Ellington featuring Tony Kofi & Alan Barnes | The Stables

Saturday 11th October
Crazy Coqs at Brasserie Zedel, 20 Sherwood Street, London, W1F 7ED:  It Takes Two, with Marvin Muoneké and Lulu Pierre.  Sarah Vaughan & Billy Eckstine, Ella & Louis, Ray Charles & Betty Carter – jazz has a rich history of romantic and swinging duets.  Stellar vocalists Marvin and Lulu recreate some of the greatest of these duets with the Alex Webb Trio (with Hamish Moore, bass and Alfonso Vitale, drums). For tickets & info: It Takes Two: Lulu Pierre and Marvin Muoneké Sing The Great Jazz Duets | Crazy Coqs | Zédel, Soho