Aled Jones comes to Venue Cymru

Oct 28 2010

LIFE’s a whirl for all rounder Aled Jones – but that’s how he likes it.

If he’s not performing on stage to Welsh ex-pats in Australia, he’s DJ-ing on Radio 2, then there’s fronting Songs of Praise and Cash in the Attic on TV.

But he’s constantly looking out for the next project, with the latest a 21-date singing tour, which calls into Llandudno next month – plus he’s got a new CD Aled’s Christmas Gift, due out and a book, Favourite Carols, with the stories behind the tunes.

Former choirboy Aled, now 39, who is just back from Oz, said: "It’s exciting. This is my year for singing. Last year I didn’t tour at all, just lots of TV and radio.

"Aled’s Christmas Gift will be carols and hopefully get everyone in a good mood. It’s probably the best thing I’ve ever done. It’s a return to what I did when I was a kid but also it just feels right.

"In Australia, where there’s lots of Welsh, funnily enough, I didn’t do any Christmas music because it was August and September. But over here 85% of the music we’ll do will be Christmas carols.

"I’ve got a string quartet, flute, oboe, keyboard, guitar... so it’s a bigger set up. I'm going to be on stage for the whole time. I’m probably not going to have a support act this year. I feel like I want to sing a lot more.

"And we’re taking in Wales. That’s important to me. So we’re back at Llandudno and St David’s Hall (in Cardiff) as well where it all started.

"At St David’s Hall I did a Handel piece for the BBC called Jeptha. That was proper high brow classical. I played the role of the Angel. That got seen and heard in London and that’s what started the whole career going really."

Aled, originally from Llandegfan, Anglesey, has children Emilia, eight, and Lucas, five, at home near London.

"While on tour I come home most nights. It’s only if I’m in North Wales or something like that, then I’ll be away. If I’m anywhere within two hours away from London I come home.

"I don't have to get up too early (usually). It’s what I’ve done all my life so I know no different.

"I’m lucky to have the opportunity. I do Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio Wales. I also do Songs of Praise, Escape to the Country and Cash in the Attic. It’s made me such a nosey person. Escape to the Country’s bad enough where you just look round people’s houses. But now I look round people’s cupboards in Cash in the Attic.

"My daughter loves dancing and acting as well. So she will definitely do something in that sphere. Lucas, I don’t know yet. All he wants to do is watch Scooby Doo. I love it. It’s the best thing about having kids isn't it?"

On Friday, Aled presents the BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year 2010 award in London.

Celebrating 25 years promoting young voices singing in church, chapel and cathedral choirs, he fronts a star-studded final recorded in St Paul’s Cathedral.l on Friday, October 29.

John Rutter will be chairing the judging panel which includes singing coach Carrie Grant.

We’ve three pairs of tickets to see Aled to be won. For your chance to win, just answer

When is Aled Jones at Venue Cymru?

Answers at mydailypost.co.uk by 10am October 27.

Aled Jones, Llandudno Venue Cymru November 23. Tickets 01492 872000 or venuecymru.oc.uk