Incognito

Geoff is a chartered accountant, classically trained singer, international recording artist for record label SonyBMG and an entrepreneur. Simone is an ex-TV journalist and communications specialist who worked as an Account Director at a PR agency in the West End before setting up the company with Geoff. Both are New Zealanders who have lived in London since 1997.

The concept of 'singing waiters' was successful worldwide by various different organisations. However no one was capitalising on the idea to incorporate other 'characters' in the subterfuge and deliver a totally unique, utterly compelling and exciting musical experience.

Geoff, Simone and Tim Rogers, one of the original 'three tenors' at the company's inception and now our Creative Manager, felt an audience would be blown away if the function's entertainment was provided by people they believed were a good looking guest sitting beside them, or a security guard on the door, or a chef in the kitchen. They created the 'incognito' element which was unique at the time ... which segued beautifully into choosing the name of the company and the Act - Tenors Incognito.

The year that followed inevitably brought the ups and downs expected of a new business but the subsequent success - and fun - of Tenors Incognito was better than anyone could have imagined.

No one around the world was doing a female version of anything remotely similar so Geoff and Simone jumped ... and subsequently the fabulous Diva Incognito followed a year later in 2001.

As a result of offering both male and female singers, Tenors & Divas Incognito is able to provide a truly incredible Act which involves sexy, charismatic, professional singers in bespoke 'incognito' performance packages for corporate events and private parties.

In this way Geoff and the other Tenors & Divas (fresh from lead roles in operas and musical theatre e.g. the West End, Broadway, Glyndebourne, Covent Garden) have performed at over 1000 functions in the UK alone, and around the globe, to such high profile celebrities as Sir Elton John, Victoria and David Beckham and royalty such as HRH Prince William and Prince Charles.

The venues have varied from performances in Sir Elton's home, Posh and Beck's home, the Royal Albert Hall, the House of Commons and the Millennium Stadium - to a packed out capacity of 80,000 people - to exotic locations including Dubai, France, the US, Greece, Italy, Sardinia, Morocco and Singapore.

The company is thriving in a market in London which had no competitors when Geoff and Simone began. Now there are several knock-offs of the 'incognito' idea, but Geoff is bullish about those copying their successful format. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery", he says. "We and our clients know we are the original and the best".

The Incognito brand has continued to go from strength to strength. In April 2005 the New York office was opened to better service the immense entertainment needs in the States.

And in September 2005 two new Acts were launched at a glittering premiere in London. Swing Incognito and Dancers Incognito are concepts designed in-house by our team of creative geniuses and have subsequently delighted audiences with these new innovative, crowd pleasing and fun forms of entertainment.

The aim of all Acts produced by the Incognito stable is for the audience to have more fun than the performers... and the performers have a blast!

In November 2006 Tenors & Divas Incognito re-branded as Incognito Artists to fully reflect the innovation, professionalism and variety delivered by the company. The name also allows for future expansion plans to be incorporated, illustrating the company's commitment to growth, new products and ideas.

Geoff and Simone are full of pride and say, "We have an amazing team of people both on the business side and as performers. Hardworking, talented and fun, each person in the 'family' is a valued asset and we are proud to work alongside them".

In 2002 Geoff and Simone also came up with the concept of Amici forever, the world's first opera band. For four years Geoff was a tenor in the group's line-up and Simone was co-manager. The 'popera' group was originally titled ‘Tenors & Divaswhen they signed their record deal and now Amici is an internationally renowned classical crossover sensation. They are multi platinum selling artists having sold over two million albums worldwide with their debut album The Opera Band (2003) and their follow-up Defined (2005).

The Opera Band went to No. 1 in New Zealand on the top 40 album chart and stayed there for four weeks. The album went to No. 2 in Australia, only knocked off the top spot by Eminem. Amici also enjoyed success in the US, performing on Good Morning America, The Today Show and The View, where their debut album was declared No. 2 on the Billboard Classical Crossover chart for 2004. Amici continued their successful run making No. 1 again in New Zealand with their second album Defined and achieving No. 3 in Australia’s main ARIA charts.

They were nominated for a Classical Brit (UK) in 2004 for their debut album and have performed for the Queen at the Royal Albert Hall and for Prince Charles at Windsor Castle.