Ciyo was born in Kingston, Jamaica and came to England at the tender age of six months. His very strong musical roots were initially developed, encouraged and nurtured at home, by both his mother who sang and his father who played guitar.

As a result of being surrounded by music from a young age it was not long before Ciyo took up the guitar. At the age of nine his parents bought him his first guitar as a Christmas present...and the rest is history! Ciyo was initially taught by his father after which he studied classical guitar for a short while. He then performed at several school concerts singing and playing the guitar throughout his school life.

Whilst studying for academic qualifications at college, Ciyo played regularly at the weekends. He then went on to study at University. Ciyo has always been involved in an extremely wide and diverse range of musical genres which, include soul, R&B, pop, rock, reggae, latin and jazz music. In addition to his musical gifts, Ciyo is currently a Housing Legal Adviser and Supervisor and is also a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.

According to Ciyo, his musical influences are "a thousand and one musicians" but he makes specific references to great guitarists such as Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Jon Schofield and Ernest Ranglin and great vocalists such as Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklyn, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Jackie Edwards, Dennis Brown, Billy Stewart, Dinah Washington, Peabo Bryson, Bobby McFerrin and a host of others. He has also paid very close attention to the great saxophonists such as Charlie Parker and John Coltrane and great pianists such as McCoy Tyner and Bob James.

Ciyo has participated in theatrical, studio and live performances and has worked with a diverse range of artists such as Ruby Turner, Caron Wheeler, Juliet Roberts, Ray Simpson, Jean Carne, Jazz Warriors, Tomorrow's Warriors, Pee Wee Ellis, Talvin Singh, Alex Wilson, Jean Toussaint, Horace Andy, Annie Lennox, Sly and Robbie, Freddie McGregor and Suggs.

Ciyo has toured with Courtney Pine, Steal Pulse, Cleveland Watkiss, Jean Toussaint, Maxi Priest and a host of other artists. He has occupied the chair as Musical Director for the likes of Billy Paul and Ronnie Laws. Ciyo has also set up his own live and recording projects and has established himself as one of the most exciting and versatile performers.

With five albums to his credit - 'So Inviting' 1991 (Discotex Records), 'Urban Atmosphere' 1994 (ARP Records), 'Somewhere Out There' 1996 (Diesel Records), 'Natural Mystic' (CGM Records) and now 'Borderline' 2002 (CGM Records), it is abundantly clear that Ciyo is an extremely committed and hardworking musician. It will also be noted that Ciyo has now set up his own record label, Ciyo Groove Music (CGM Records).

Ciyo's new album, 'Borderline', consists mainly of original voice-led compositions with some guitar-led instrumentals. It can aptly be described as an inspirational set consisting of soul and R&B flavours with tinges of jazz.

The album was performed by his current band which consists of some of London's finest musicians. A host of other excellent musicians have also appeared as guests on the new album.

CIYO HAS PERFORMED WITH:

Suggs, Annie Lennox, Courtney Pine, Jean Carne, Jazz Jamaica, Talvin Singh, Kreuz, Aswad, Tippa Irie, Dee-Roe, Pam Hall, Billy Paul, Dave Cliff, Steel Pulse, Ed Bentley, Jim Mullen, Maxi Priest, Sean Oliver, Ray Carless, Ruby Turner, Denise Baptiste, Noel McCoy, Keith Waithe, Ronnie Laws, Horace Andy, Sly & Robbie, Anton Brown, Jazz Warriors, Tomorrow's Warriors, Billy Paul, Juliet Roberts, Jason Rebello, Pandit Dinesh, Shireen Francis, Mervyn Africa, Tim Whitehead, Andy Hamilton, Orphy Robinson, Beres Hammond, Sonny Okussons, Steve Williamson, Alex Wilson, Denys Baptiste, Marvin and Tamara, Carroll Thompson, Freddie McGregor, Cleveland Watkiss, Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra and Jean Toussaint.

Ciyo has performed at many venues throughout the UK.

London Venues include:

Jazz Café, Astoria 2, The 100 Club, The Spitz, Jazz Bistro, The Grand, The Fridg,e The Vortex, The Village, Vic Naylors, Pizza Express, Union Chapel, Ronnie Scotts, The Rhythmic, Hackney Empire,Brixton Academy, Manatiy's, Shepherds Bush Empire, Smollensky's On The Strand, Tricycle Theatre, Half Moon Theatre, Oceans, The Tabernacle, Purcell Room, South Bank Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Festival Hall

Venues outside London include:

33 Club - Slough
The Yardbird Suite - Leeds
International 1 - Manchester
The Bull Arts Centre - Barnet
Croydon Clocktower
The Brighton Centre - Brighton
Band On The Wall - Manchester
The Hummingbird - Birmingham
Watermans Arts Centre - Brentford Birmingham Town Hall

FESTIVALS

Jazz on the Green - Putney, Crawley Jazz Festival, Ealing Jazz Festival, Greenwich Festival, Soho Jazz Festival, Bath Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival and many other festivals in the UK and abroad with international artists

TOURS
England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, USA, France, Austria, Canada, Jamaica, Germany and Switzerland

DISCOGRAPHY

'So Inviting' (1991) Discotex Records
'Urban Atmosphere' (1994) ARP/Diverse Records
'Somewhere Out There' (1996) Diesel Records 'Natural Mystic' (2000) CGM records
'Borderline' (2002) CGM Records

TELEVISION APPEARANCES

Later with Jools Holland (guitarist for Horace Andy) - BBC TV
1996
"As Time Goes By" (voice over for commercial) - MFI TV Commercial 1995
Club Mix (guitarist for Maxi Priest) - Channel 4 TV 1988
Top Of The Pops (guitarist for Tippa Irie on 'Hello Darlin') - BBC TV 1985

RADIO APPEARANCES
Helen Mayhew Show - Jazz FM 2000
Dotun Adebayo Show - GLR 2000
Time Show - Charlie Allen Drive Town FM 1998
Caribbean Review - BBC World Service 1996
Raymond Paul Show - BBC GLR 1996
David Freeman Show - Jazz FM 1996
Miss P Show - BBC GLR 1996
Daddy Ernie Show - Choice FM 1993

For further information please contact:

Peter Conway - Agent
T: 020 8378 1012
M: 07885 288 512
E: peterfconway@hotmail.com

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