John Owen-Jones
Single ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ released 9 March 2015
Sweeney Todd at the ENO – Easter 2015
Award winning performer John Owen-Jones (Les Miserables/Phantom of The Opera) releases new single ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ in February 2015. A second track ‘Bread Of Heaven’ is also on the single CD. Both tracks are taken from his forthcoming album ‘RISE’ which is released on the 2nd March 2015.
The single, ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ is familiar to most as the song that won Eurovision 2014. The song was chosen by John following a search for a Bond-esque track for the album. Composer Grant Olding suggested the track and John vaguely knew it but “when I listened to it properly, I just knew I had to record it. I liked the song so much it even inspired the name of the album”. ‘Bread of Heaven’ (re-imagined in the style of rock band Queen!) is a Welsh favourite that has been taken to heart by Welsh rugby fans as they look forward to the forthcoming Six Nations and Rugby World Cup tournaments.
‘RISE’ features twelve new tracks reflecting John’s lifelong love for music. Staying true to the West End and Broadway star’s theatrical roots, the album also broadens out to the worlds of gospel, soul, classic rock and, of course, Eurovision! The album ‘RISE’ has two duets featuring West End stars Ruthie Henshall (currently in Billy Elliot) and Madalena Alberto (recently seen in Evita).
John will return to the London stage during Easter to play the role of ‘Pirelli’ in the English National Opera “staged concert” production of ‘Sweeney Todd’. The critically acclaimed production was a sell out for its short run at the Lincoln Center in New York last year and will have a strictly limited run of 13 performances at the London Coliseum Theatre from March 30th to April 12th. John will join previously announced stars Bryn Terfel (Sweeney Todd), Emma Thompson (Mrs Lovett).
John Owen-Jones has previously released two solo albums on the Sain label ‘John Owen-Jones’ in 2009 and ‘Unmasked’ in 2011. John, from Burry Port in South Wales, has enjoyed critical acclaim for his record breaking and award winning performances in the lead role of Jean Valjean in ‘Les Miserables’ (he remains the youngest actor to have played the role) and the title role in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ (more performances in the role in the West End than any other actor).
Tour dates with Katherine Jenkins as Special Guest and Welsh dates
Wed 11 Feb Cambridge Corn Exchange
Thu 12 Feb Guildford G Live
Sat 14 Feb Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Sun 15 Feb Brighton Dome
Tue 17 Feb London Royal Festival Hall
Wed 18 Feb Bristol Colston Hall
Fri 20 Feb Plymouth Pavilions
Sat 21 Feb Bournemouth International Centre
Mon 23 Feb Sheffield City Hall
Wed 25 Feb York Barbican
Thu 26 Feb Edinburgh Usher Hall
Sat 28 Feb Gateshead Sage 1
Sun 1 Mar Wales At No. 1, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Mon 02 Mar Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Tue 03 Mar Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Thu 05 Mar Llandudno Venue Cymru Theatre
Sat 07 Mar Birmingham Symphony Hall
Sun 08 Mar Birmingham Symphony Hall
Tue 10 Mar Ipswich Regent
Wed 11 Mar Southend Cliff Pavilion
Fri 13 Mar Oxford New Theatre
Sat 14 Mar Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Mar 30 – April 12 Sweeney Todd, Coliseum Theatre, London
Sat 18 April Morriston Orpheus Choir Gala Concert,
Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
www.johnowenjones.com