I started the year out in Jan getting my hands dirty with auditioning for ‘Live & Unsigned’ in which if you win you get to play at the O2 arena. You can see a snippet of the audition here: http://youtu.be/u_ppN9j3NvM

I got through to the regional finals but then got booted out. Fun while it lasted but no singer/songwriters got through from my performance day, I guess we all weren’t in fashion at the time.

Next in line was ‘THE PEOPLE’S MUSIC AWARDS’ in which I became FINALIST IN TWO CATEGORY’S 
Under BEST MALE SOLO ARTIST I came 3rd!
and under INDI-ROCK-METAL-PUNK I came 5th!

Check out: http://www.thepeoplesmusicawards.com/simonjaymes/ Not bad considering thousands and thousands applied.  

I spent the year working on getting back in shape, as this was the big year of me turning 30. I decided to get down the GYM and get back into dancing. Once September arrived I have been dancing ever since with English National Opera’ doing a back to back with Onegin’ straight into ‘Tales Of Hoffman’ which finishes in Feb 2012 after that I already have more dance work lined up with Opera North’s Musical ‘Carousel’ in which I will be performing up north and also at the barbican in London until September which brings me round to a full year of dancing again.

A highlight of my year apart from winning an award was dancing for Anthony Van Laast for the Royal Variety Show 2011 supporting Hayley Westenra and Rolando Villazon. The performance was recorded in Manchester and was aired on TV Mid December and was a big success.

At the beginning of the year I bought a PA System with a nice Mackie pro Desk and installed some nice reverb units for my guitar and vocals. Learnt a whole bunch of covers and I am now up and running as a Wedding, Event singer, Getting paid to play all over the country including bars and restaurants, using my 12 year old car for transport which has done nothing so far but cost me a small fortune as bits and pieces keep failing and falling off but as of now is working just fine. I haven’t got the heart to get rid of it as it has almost turned into a new car after all the work it’s had done. Wish me luck for next year!

I have been nominated for quite a few years for awards now and I never win any but when I was nominated for the Exposure Music Awards 2011 I finally won my first award as best Jazz/Blues/soul artist! It’s funny how things turn out as it was the first award ceremony that I could not attend due to other commitments So I sent my mate Eddie Fallon to go to the Award ceremony for me just in case with a half arsed speech written that I never thought would be read out. I was wrong: http://www.exposuremusicawards.co.uk/ 

From the award I won some free studio time with Producer/engineer Ian Shaw. So I am now working towards my next Album including Ian and ‘The team’ also digging up some recordings that were made back in 2005 at Konk studios and finishing them with producer/musician Jeff Scantlebury. So give me a couple of years of pulling favors and it will be done. If you want to hear it sooner then send me over some money or a rich person that wants to invest. There are other things in the pipe line cooking but what I have learnt is to wait until it’s a done deal before blabbing about it.

Any way Merry Xmas to you and yours and hope to see you about soon at either a gig or for a Jolly drinky drinky somewhere.

My last Gig of the year is coming up on the Friday 23^rd of December so don’t miss out as its going to be a fantastic evening with only the finest of musicians in town. Back to back. www.simonjaymes.com for more info.

Some YouTube Video’s of some Covers which I made with Henri Koenig in 2011

Check them out!

Pumped Up Kicks: http://youtu.be/kZERGiCkDJ4

Poker Face: http://youtu.be/pVAdW2YiidE

May you Never: http://youtu.be/9OWaKrZXzrg

“Simon’s music makes me happy. The biggest reason for that is because his music is about real life. It’s not sugar coated, it’s not “life is all puppies, cotton candy, and rainbows”. Nonetheless his music IS very happy. The vocals are the best part, I love his voice, it’s very…sexy. Ladies will love the way he almost croons to you. And the band he’s got backing him up is the perfect combo. I have nothing bad to say about Simon, or this album. Well, except that I haven’t heard more of his work. One of the best songs on the album is “Seen Better Days”. I have yet to meet even one person who couldn’t relate to this song. It’s about growing older, a little gracefully than most. Backaches, hangovers, and all those little annoyances that let you know you’re not as young as you used to be. He sings about real life, and listeners completely relate to this. It’s great when an artist admits they’re a real person, Simon leaves no doubt that he’s human. The second best song on the album is BY FAR the title track. I can’t say enough how much I love Simon’s vocals. His voice is pure honey. Every track shows a deeper richer side of his voice and there is no better example than this one. I get chills every time I listen and it’s also the first track I share with everyone when I tell them about Simon. Simon Jaymes will appeal to everyone. He just has a way with his talent that leaves you almost aching for more. I was late to work when I gave this album a first listen, it immediately went into my iPod and I can’t stop listening. I’m hooked, and I want more…please.”

Review by Somojo Magazine ∞ Ashley L. Pieciak ∞

What happened?
This year has been a big year for me as I managed to release my debut single ‘Sailboat’ and album named ‘Wild Life’. Originally to be released in spring the album made the launch in July after all sorts of issues constantly slowing down the release. It is now available on all major online stores like iTunes and Amazon and in CD format from my site: www.simonjaymes.com
The Single ‘Sailboat’ & Debut album ‘Wild Life’ was released under my own label (SJH Music Ltd) and was recorded/co produced in 2009 with some of the best musicians in the music industry who have worked/produced with the biggest names including Lady Gaga, Tony Braxton, Jamiroquai, Tom Jones, Peter Gabriel, Shania Twain, Brand New Heavies, Joss Stone…the list goes on and on. I was also involved in other sessions this year recording as a guitarist/singer for other bands and artists: reggae band ‘Rebel Control’ and in Alex Meadows album ‘The Inexperienced’.

To celebrate the release we had a launch party at London Mayfair’s ‘Embassy’ club on the 13th July of which you can see the launch performances by visiting my YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/simonjaymes

I was nominated for three separate awards for 2010. The first being with online magazine and radio station Somojo as ‘Male artist of the year’ of which I became ‘Runners Up’ and the other two with The People’s Music Awards as a finalist for ‘Best Male Solo Artist’ and ‘Best Indie/Rock Artist’

Some press & industry reviews from this year:

“Simon Jaymes is gold. With a sound like top-selling Dave Matthews Band and Daughtry, his commercial draw is undeniable.”
Review by Breanna Wilson of Bryan Farrish Radio Promotion 1828 Broadway, 2nd floor? Santa Monica, CA

“Great vocal talent, inventive lyrics, fabulous spine tingling guitar, well arranged, well recorded. Superb music, which appears to have been written for the love of music rather than for the purpose of any bandwagon. Can’t fault this at all.”
Review by Izzie Voodoo at www.vqsnewmusic.tv

“A really interesting talent, he has a real ability to make you stop what you’re doing and listen. His voice and guitar is very hypnotic. Brilliant Guitar Work. Good to see some real talent from the UK for a change!”
Craig www.rocklinks.co.uk

What’s next?
I am still yet to find out the results to the People’ Music Awards of which I have become a finalist. It’s now up to the Judges to pick the final 2 for each category so fingers crossed I will make it through!
Under my label ‘SJH Music’ will be working very hard to get some festival slots for the summer and to continue to try and get some of the songs placed on Adverts, Films and TV. We will also be working towards a music video and setting up a tour round the universities as our main point of focus.
Wish me luck guys as once again the story continues……………..

Gigs coming up:

12 Bar Club – Simon Jaymes & Band Headlining
Simon Jaymes & Band Headlining
Wednesday, 8 December, 2010
9:15pm – 18 +
12 Bar Club, Denmark Street
London WC2H 8NL
Simon Jaymes & Band including Adam Drake, Alex Meadows, Jeff Scantlebury,
Salmen Lounge Bar – Simon Jaymes Solo
Simon Jaymes Solo
Saturday, 17 December, 2010
8:30pm -Entry: 8 Swiss francs - All Ages

Finalist for 3 Awards!

Simon Jaymes was Indy award Finalist as Best Male Solo Act back in 2008 and now is currently up for three separate awards for 2010. The first being with online magazine and radio station Somojo – ‘Male artist of the year’ and the other two with The People’s Music Awards as a finalist for ‘Best Male Solo Artist’ and ‘Best Indie/Rock Artist’

How to Vote:

SOMOJO FINALIST FOR MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2010:

Sign up under the following link:

http://www.somojo.net/index.php?t=access_all_areas

Then please go to this link and then vote for Simon Jaymes under Male artist of the year.

http://www.somojo.net/index.php?t=polls

Between now and the 4th December 2010 voting is taking place.
Wish me luck and please spread the word as I need all the help I can get!

THE PEOPLE’S MUSIC AWARDS (VOTES ARE NOW CLOSED!)
NOW A FINALIST IN TWO CATEGORY’S THANKS TO YOU!