Presently rehearsing with Greek musicians for 2009 projects, and painting new visual artworks for exhibiting this summer. 

Performing in Greece with musical roots band Johnny & The Monsters, and duo with Johnny Higgins, the band's pianist.

 

Invited to collaborate with Beijing Opera International, a first meeting of jazz & Chinese opera.

Performing with JPQ in UK, and musical roots band Johnny & The Monsters in Greece.

Ponsford & Knight perform first duo concert in Greece.

Due to increased interest in Ponsford's visual art work, an exhibition of her paintings will take place at Mytilene's Chamber of Commerce, Greece in July-Aug 2008 with UK artist Ann Welch and Italian photographer Alessandra Pagani. 

 

2004/5
Composing and running workshops in Greece and UK. Visits UK and France for performances and recording.

 

2003
Composing in Greece. Visits UK to perform with the Frances Knight Trio, and record with Hugh Hopper and Julian Whitfield on cd 'In a Dubious Manner'.

 

2002
Performing with Jan Ponsford Quintet, and The Swimmer line-up (see 2001).

 

2001
Records well-received cd 'The Swimmer' with ex-Softmachine bassist Hugh Hopper, pianist Frances Knight and drummer Vince Clarke.

 

2000
Tours as principal vocalist with Tyndale Thomas, leader of the Liverpool Philharmonic Gospel Choir, in 'Start Again', a song cycle by composer Pete Moser and poet Adrian Mitchell for the 50th anniversary of Amnesty's Declaration of Human Rights.

 

1999
Performing with the Jan Ponsford Quintet.

 

1998
Receives Arts Council of England award to develop, compose and perform 'Digital Do Dah', a combined arts project involving dance award winner Toby Gunn, master tabla player Surish Kumar, kora player Ravi, pianist Frances Knight, community visual artists and computer wizard Kit Keen. The music triggers beautiful moving digital images which inspire the artists and transport audiences.

 

Also in '98
Teams up with one of Japan's most established composers and improvisers, pianist Kyohiko Sano, performing improvisations based on haiku poetry, with inspiration from Japanese and English gardens.

 

1997
Director of Studio Vox 'Feast Your Senses' cultural festival, and featured guest at the 'Healing Sounds' festival, Brighton. Musical director of 'Global Groove' festival, De La Warr Pavilion, UK.

 

1996
Sets up and directs 'Studio Vox', an arts and health project, with award from the Arts Council of England.

 

1995
Returns to UK for Jazz Services tour with Jan Ponsford's 'Vocal Chords', opening at the Purcell Room, London. All original material written by Ponsford for 8 vocalists from different disciplines, and instrumental trio. Vocalists included Jill Frances (Prince, Stevie Wonder, Soul II Soul) and Norma Winstone (ECM label).

 

1993 - '94
Composing 'In the Sun' for recording with the Jan Ponsford Quintet, and 'Vocal Chords' for Jazz Services UK tour.

 

Late '80's
To the present the Jan Ponsford Quintet features European Songwriter award winning pianist Frances Knight, and drummer Winston Clifford, joined by saxophonist/clarinetist Tony Coe for the recording of the cd 'In the Sun' (see John Fordham review, The Guardian). Playing venues such as the Royal Festival Hall and the Barbican Centre, London. BBC radio interviews and original compositions broadcasted internationally.

 

Mid 80's
Line-up of the Jan Ponsford Quintet includes featured musicians - award winning pianist Steve Lodder (Andy Sheppard/Nana Vasconcelas Band), and trumpeter Harry Beckett.

 

1980
Forms the Jan Ponsford Quintet, performing standards and own compositions. The original line-up features trumpeter Jim Dvorak, and Ghanaian master drummer Nana Tsiboe.

 

1976-79
Vocalist with UK jazz funk band Big Chief, working with renowned musicians including saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith, and drummer Bryan Spring.