Born in Birkenhead, Merseyside, just over the water from Liverpool, Simon comes from a very musical family and began playing piano at the age of four. At 7 he was already performing at primary school. He went on to learn guitar and bass penning many original songs.

While at university, he honed his craft busking with his trusty guitar around Europe including 6 months in Oviedo, Asturias, in the north of Spain, and then 6 months in Paris.

1987 - 1991: After graduating in 1987, he headed back to Oviedo and formed a band with Abel Martinez (guitar), Alex Coloma (keyboards) and boy wonder Chema Fombona on drums. With Simon on bass & vocals (and songwriter for the band along with Abel), "Dona Kebab" won the Battle of the Bands in 1990 and with it a recording deal for a mini-LP of six original songs.

1991 - 1996: Simon embarked on projects with LA NAVE, releasing a single; PALIDOS PILOTOS - the album; ALBERTO VARILLAS with the ASTURIAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA; folk group LLIBERDÓN; Latin jazz combo "Taboga Dreams" with Russian virtuoso SIMON GLICKMAN whilst also leading his own salsa band "SABOR". He toured Spain with the rock band LOS LOCOS (1992) providing backing guitar / keyboards / vocals and ZAPATO VELOZ (1993-95) bass / backing vocals appearing on all 4 Spanish national television channels and regional TV and radio.

1996 - 2004: Simon moved to Majorca originally to front an 8-piece band as male vocalist and bassist alongside jazz pianist Nacho Dacappo for a new cabaret venue and then as a solo artist: Simonetti was born. He played at many of the island's top hotels, clubs and private residences, also putting bands together (Latin salsa band, soul revival, jazz combo, etc) for special organised events working with such great musicians as singer Michele McCain, saxophonist Cacho Petrello and drummer Luis Manzotti.

In winter 2002, he spent 3 months performing in Sweden and in 2003-04 spent over 6 months in Norway finishing at the SAS Radisson Hotel, Lillehammer as piano entertainer for the official 10th anniversary celebrations of the Winter Olympics in February 2004. From there, it was on to Dubai and various private functions around the Dubai World Cup organised by Damian Calderbank and finally 2 weeks in Japan including a trip to the Budokan though here just as a tourist. He returned to spend the summer in Majorca while still honouring private and corporate engagements in mainland Spain, Germany and UK.

2004 - : Since returning to the Wirral in October 2004, Simon has already performed at many weddings and special events at various hotels, golf clubs and other venues such as Southport International Jazz Festival, the Lowry, LCCC, Salford Rugby Club, Manchester United Players’ Awards Dinner at Old Trafford, GMEC Awards, etc. He has also appeared on television ( ITV 1 and Channel 4) and recently recorded the music for Military Pop Hero at Southport Theatre (September 2006).

He is always keen to work with other musicians. While party band "40 Thieves" is enjoying great success as a trio and 5-piece at private events across the land, Simon is also busy rehearsing with a new jazz trio with his trademark portable white baby grand piano & vocals, double bass and drums, an extension of which is his new and exciting 6-piece swing band.

Although his live work schedule keeps him very busy, he is also continually involved in recording original material, music for other artists and various compositions for media projects.

Although the vast majority of his engagements are now weddings, corporate and private parties, he still plays every other Thursday night at the Oxton Bar & Terrace on the Wirral (starting again from 7th February 2008) so pop in and see him there, sit back with a cocktail and enjoy...

Official Discography

copyright © 2008 Simon Brown