BBC HOST LENDS VOICE TO NEW MUSICAL

BBC radio presenter John Griff has added his voice to new British musical TESS - literally.

John Griff in the TESS studio

‘The Grifster’, whose afternoon show airs on BBC Radio Northampton every weekday, has provided guest vocals in three of the show’s big songs, including a solo spot as a money-grabbing banker in the riotous ensemble number Pleasure City.
 
Griff recorded his studio turn earlier this month and will be heard when the album of TESS is released in 2017. He’s previously interviewed the musical’s writers, Michael Blore and Michael Davies, on his show and is following its progress with regular updates for listeners.

Lyricist Davies said: “What some of John’s audience may not know is that, as well as being a supremely talented radio broadcaster, he’s also got a terrific singing voice, and we were delighted when he picked up our challenge of getting involved in the cast recording. His characterisations are superb and he’s the ultimate professional, so we couldn’t be more thrilled that he’ll be featured on the album.”

​TESS is a sumptuous new adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s classic novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles. Three demo tracks are already available for free online at www.tessthemusical.com and the album recording of the full show is expected to be released in the autumn of 2017.

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