South-west singer Dan Crisp – who has performed with Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre and Joss Stone – is playing at Prezzo, Cheshire Oaks, to raise money for Cancer Research UK

Apr 15 2010 by Paul Mannion, Chester Chronicle

ASouth West singer, who has shared the stage with soul star Joss Stone and Martin Barre of Jethro Tull, is visiting a Cheshire restaurant on his national tour to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Up-and-coming artist Dan Crisp, 26, who has a residency at Joss Stone’s family’s renowned music rooms, Mamma Stone’s, is playing at Italian Restaurant Prezzo at The Coliseum, Cheshire Oaks, on Saturday, May 1.

He said: “It’s been a mad rush but I can’t wait to get going.”

Dan, who is working with producer John Cornfield – famed for his work with Oasis, Muse and Supergrass – decided to use the tour to raise money for Cancer Research UK after a relative was diagnosed with the illness two years ago.

“I was watching Sport Relief and all the fundraising and I thought we could do something like this,” he said.

“I’m not the best sportsman, we were already thinking about the tour, so we decided to use the tour to go out and raise money for the charity.”

Throughout May, Dan will be embarking on a 15-date national tour that sees him travel the country from Edinburgh to Falmouth, before heading to Milan to perform with Martin Barre.

The tour is in association with one of the country’s best-loved Italian chains, Prezzo, with Dan playing at selected restaurants every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening.

Originally from Dorset, Dan now lives in Somerset and has been playing the guitar since the age of 10.

He received his biggest break when a chance meeting with guitarist Martin Barre lead to the duo performing a series of gigs together, with Martin encouraging Dan to create his own distinctive writing and vocal style.

This resulted in the creation of his debut album Far From Here, which included collaborations with some of the country’s leading musicians, including members of Fairport Convention and The John Martyn Band.