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New Generation Artists |
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 Gwilym Simcock (piano) Nationality: British "Young piano recruit Gwilym Simcock delivered the first of a series of glittering solos…a startled turn of the head and appreciative smile from the old master Konitz confirmed what a class act Simcock has so quickly become." The Guardian “Still only 27 years of age, Gwilym Simcock is one of the most gifted pianists and imaginative composers working on British scene. Able to move effortlessly between jazz and classical music, he can, at times, inhabit both worlds and has been described as being stylistically reminiscent of Keith Jarrett, complete with ‘harmonic sophistication and subtle dovetailing of musical traditions’ as well as being a pianist of ‘exceptional’, ‘brilliant’ and ‘dazzling’ ability. Gwilym’s influences include jazz legends Jarrett, Chick Corea and John Taylor and much inspiration is taken from the classical world, especially the work of Maurice Ravel and Igor Stravinsky as well as contemporary composers such as Mark-Anthony Turnage who fuse together written and improvised music. Although principally a jazz artist, Gwilym is breaking new ground between genres and often uses classical reference points in his composed work - he recently devised a solo piano project using the piano works of Shostakovich as a starting point and in 2005 premiered a piano concerto especially written for him by Tim Garland. Aside from his renowned solo piano work, Gwilym has worked extensively throughout Europe playing with the cream of British and international jazz artists including Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Lee Konitz, Bill Bruford’s Earthworks and Bob Mintzer among others. His own groups as a leader range from trio to big band to a 40-piece ensemble featuring a gospel choir and strings. His composing and playing strengths in are evidence in every dimension of the music for his quintet which features Stan Sulzmann (saxophones), John Parricelli (guitar), Phil Donkin (bass) and Martin France (drums). This band has been critically and widely acclaimed as ‘engaging, exciting, often unexpected, melodically enthralling, complex and wonderfully optimistic’. A previous winner of the Perrier Award, BBC Jazz Awards and British Jazz Rising Star Awards2005 and participant in Take Five – the UK’s unique artist development initiative, Gwilym is currently a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist – the first jazz artist to be selected. He was voted “Jazz Musician of the Year” at the 2007 Parliamentary Jazz Awards and is again nominated for the 2007BBC Jazz Awards as Best Instrumentalist. He has an impressive formal education which includes stints at the Trinity College of Music (London), Chetham’s School of Music (Manchester) – where he studied classical piano, French horn and composition and the Royal Academy of Music (London) where he graduated from the jazz course with first class honours and the coveted 'Principal's Prize' for outstanding achievement. Gwilym's new album, "Perception", was released in November 2007 with support from Radio 3 New Generation Artists and Aviva "a superb statement of intent." BBC Music Magazine ***** "If this is just the beginning, the coming years defy imagining." The Guardian **** "This is impressive. he can spin an improvisation that builds intensity to an ecstatic high point. Simcock's harmonic and melodic resources seem endless " Daily Telegraph "Rarely was any British pianist tipped for stardom more confidently than Gwilym Simcock" Evening Standard CD of the Week Management: Basho Music Website: Gwilym Simcock Last updated July 2008 |
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Listen to Gwilym Simcock in an extract from a recent BBC session.
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