Meet the ABBA MANIA Band

Manolo Polidario - Guitar

Manolo was born in Watford, Hertfordshire to Filipino parents. He started in music early, teaching himself to play the Recorder at the age of six. By the age of eight, his father started him on the Guitar, a more masculine instrument. From there onwards there was no looking back.

As a classical guitar player, Manolo played many competitions and concerts, including a performance for the ex-Conservative MP Mr. Douglas Hurd. At 13 he made the switch to electric and had started playing local venues at 14. A couple of years later, a teacher at school introduced him to Jazz and this new sound was a revolution to his ears.

He went on study Jazz in 1999 at Leeds College of Music, gaining a Bmus (Hons) degree and being awarded the Eric Kershaw Memorial Prize for Plectrum Guitar. Since then Manolo has been working as a professional musician all over the UK and Europe.

Over the course of his career he has had the opportunity to play with some well-known musicians including Ralph Salmins, Al Wood, Roy Williams, Mark Walker and Mark Willis (Westlife) and Dennis Rollins (Badbone & Co.)

He has also been a member of N.Y.J.O (National Youth Jazz Orchestra) and D.J.O (Doncaster Jazz Orchestra).

Joining the show in 2008 Manolo is already enjoying being a newfound ‘ABBA MANIAC!’

Ryan Aston - Drums

Ryan was brought up in South Wales and started playing drums at the age of 18. Although a late starter, he is now one of the finest drummers in the UK , having toured extensively with various artistes including Bonnie Tyler. Ryan is also a regular player on national television and radio shows. He recently played to a packed audience of over 13,000 people at the millennium stadium, Cardiff , Wales.

Ryan’s recent theatre credits include the tour of the highly successful musical Amazing Grace. He has also been fortunate to tour all over the world with ABBA MANIA including Europe and South America.

He is a highly popular member of the band, who adds style, flare, fun and commitment.

Pablo Roberts - Bass Guitar

Pablo was born in Aberdare, South Wales, UK on June 13, 1984 from Mexican / Welsh ancestry. Pablo follows in the footsteps of his father Richard, who is one of Wales's most in demand session keyboard / piano players and also Max Boyce's Musical Director of a number of years. Pablo picked up the bass at the age of 13 and hasn't looked back since.

At the age of 15, Pablo became a regular member of the NYJOW (National Youth Jazz Orchestra Wales) and was lucky enough to perform alongside some great musicians, including Jools Holland as part of BBC Music Live.

In addition to his work with ABBA MANIA, Pablo has played bass with Max Boyce, Mike Doyle, Owen Money, Peter Karrie and for BBC Radio Wales. Pablo has already been privileged enough to have performed in such major venues as the Royal Albert Hall, The Festival Hall London and more recently, the new Millennium Centre, Cardiff at this years Royal Variety Performance.

During his busy performance schedule, Pablo managed to spend four years studying Multimedia at University in Swansea and now runs his own Multimedia Design Company from his home in Porthcawl, South Wales.