Gwilym Simcock
Encyclopedia
Gwilym Simcock is a British pianist
and composer
working in both jazz
and classical music, and often blurring the boundaries of the two.
He is a multi-award winner and was chosen as one of the 1000 Most Influential People in London by the Evening Standard
. He was featured on the front cover of the August 2007 issue of the UK’s leading Jazz journal Jazzwise
Magazine.
, Gwynedd
. At the age of eleven he attained the highest marks in the country for his Associated Board
Grade 8 exams - on both piano
and French horn
. He went on to study classical piano, French horn and composition at Chetham's School
, Manchester
, where he was introduced to jazz by pianist and teacher Les Chisnall and bassist and teacher Steve Berry. He went on to study jazz piano at The Royal Academy of Music
, London
with John Taylor
, Nikki Iles
, Nick Weldon and Geoff Keezer
.
He graduated from the Royal Academy of Music
with a first-class honours degree and the "Principal's Prize' for outstanding achievement.
at the Royal Albert Hall
in London. He composed a Piano Concerto "Progressions" which he performed with his trio and the BBC Concert Orchestra on 9 August 2008, broadcast live on BBC2 TV.
On 5 October 2008 he was featured in an evening at the King's Place Opening Festival in which he performed four concerts leading four different groups including a duo with John Taylor.
In 2006 he was the first jazz musician to be selected for the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme
, and this was extended to 2008. It involved numerous recordings that were broadcast on BBC Radio 3 as solo performances, and his trio appearance at the Wigmore Hall
during the London Jazz Festival 2006 (broadcast 7 July 2007).
His trio, which has performed at festivals and venues worldwide such as the North Sea Jazz Festival
2007, now features James Maddrenn (drums) and Yuri Goloubev (bass), while his debut album featured Stan Sulzmann
, John Parricelli
, Phil Donkin, Martin France
and Ben Bryant.
He was chosen by Chick Corea
for a solo concert performance and live recording at Klavier Festival Ruhr 2007. This concert was broadcast on WDR radio and 20,000 copies were given away as a cover mount CD in Germany's leading music magazine Fonoforum.
He was a member of Tim Garland
's Lighthouse Trio, however left in 2009 being replaced by John Turville. He is currently a member of Malcolm Creese's Acoustic Triangle, Stan Sulzmann's Neon, and Bill Bruford
's Earthworks. He has also played with musicians including Dave Holland
, Lee Konitz
, Bob Mintzer
, Bobby McFerrin
, Kenny Wheeler
, Iain Ballamy
, Julian Argüelles
, Pete King
, Don Weller
, Steve Waterman
, and Torsten de Winkel
/ New York Jazz Guerrilla.
He also plays French horn and has played with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra
(NYJO), the BBC Big Band
, and with Kenny Wheeler
on his 2003/2005 tour.
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
working in both jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and classical music, and often blurring the boundaries of the two.
He is a multi-award winner and was chosen as one of the 1000 Most Influential People in London by the Evening Standard
Evening Standard
The Evening Standard, now styled the London Evening Standard, is a free local daily newspaper, published Monday–Friday in tabloid format in London. It is the dominant regional evening paper for London and the surrounding area, with coverage of national and international news and City of London...
. He was featured on the front cover of the August 2007 issue of the UK’s leading Jazz journal Jazzwise
Jazzwise
Jazzwise Publications Limited is a UK-based specialist jazz music publisher and education company. It was founded in 1984 as a mail-order company promoting jazz and improvisation through catalogues and short courses and workshops for musicians...
Magazine.
Biography
Simcock was born in BangorBangor, Gwynedd
Bangor is a city in Gwynedd, north west Wales, and one of the smallest cities in Britain. It is a university city with a population of 13,725 at the 2001 census, not including around 10,000 students at Bangor University. Including nearby Menai Bridge on Anglesey, which does not however form part of...
, Gwynedd
Gwynedd
Gwynedd is a county in north-west Wales, named after the old Kingdom of Gwynedd. Although the second biggest in terms of geographical area, it is also one of the most sparsely populated...
. At the age of eleven he attained the highest marks in the country for his Associated Board
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
ABRSM is an internationally recognised educational body and charity that provides examinations in music The organisation, based in London, UK, runs exams in centres all over the world...
Grade 8 exams - on both piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and French horn
Horn (instrument)
The horn is a brass instrument consisting of about of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. A musician who plays the horn is called a horn player ....
. He went on to study classical piano, French horn and composition at Chetham's School
Chetham's School of Music
Chetham's School of Music , familiarly known as "Chets", is a specialist independent co-educational music school, situated in Manchester city centre, in North West England. It was established in 1969, incorporating Chetham's Hospital School, founded as a charity school by Humphrey Chetham in 1653...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, where he was introduced to jazz by pianist and teacher Les Chisnall and bassist and teacher Steve Berry. He went on to study jazz piano at The Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
with John Taylor
John Taylor (jazz)
John Taylor is a British jazz pianist; he has occasionally performed on the organ and the synthesiser. He is one of Europe's most celebrated jazz pianists and composers.-Performing career:...
, Nikki Iles
Nikki Iles
Nikki Iles is an English jazz composer and musician, playing piano and accordion.Iles was born in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, her parents both musicians...
, Nick Weldon and Geoff Keezer
Geoff Keezer
Geoffrey Keezer, born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA on November 20, 1970, is a jazz pianist. Born into a musical family, with both parents teaching music, he began studying piano at the age of three. In 1989, at the age of 18, after completing his first year at the Berklee College of Music,...
.
He graduated from the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
with a first-class honours degree and the "Principal's Prize' for outstanding achievement.
Career
In 2008 he was commissioned to perform at The PromsThe Proms
The Proms, more formally known as The BBC Proms, or The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts presented by the BBC, is an eight-week summer season of daily orchestral classical music concerts and other events held annually, predominantly in the Royal Albert Hall in London...
at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
in London. He composed a Piano Concerto "Progressions" which he performed with his trio and the BBC Concert Orchestra on 9 August 2008, broadcast live on BBC2 TV.
On 5 October 2008 he was featured in an evening at the King's Place Opening Festival in which he performed four concerts leading four different groups including a duo with John Taylor.
In 2006 he was the first jazz musician to be selected for the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme
BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme
BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme was devised by BBC Radio 3 Editor Adam Gatehouse and launched in 1999. It exists as part of the BBC's commitment to nurture young musical talent. Every autumn six to seven young artists who are beginning to make a mark on the national and international...
, and this was extended to 2008. It involved numerous recordings that were broadcast on BBC Radio 3 as solo performances, and his trio appearance at the Wigmore Hall
Wigmore Hall
Wigmore Hall is a leading international recital venue that specialises in hosting performances of chamber music and is best known for classical recitals of piano, song and instrumental music. It is located at 36 Wigmore Street, London, UK and was built to provide London with a venue that was both...
during the London Jazz Festival 2006 (broadcast 7 July 2007).
His trio, which has performed at festivals and venues worldwide such as the North Sea Jazz Festival
North Sea Jazz Festival
The North Sea Jazz Festival is an annual jazz festival held each second weekend of July in the Netherlands at the Ahoy venue. It used to be in The Hague but since 2006 it has been held in Rotterdam...
2007, now features James Maddrenn (drums) and Yuri Goloubev (bass), while his debut album featured Stan Sulzmann
Stan Sulzmann
Stanley Ernest Sulzmann is an English jazz saxophonist.Sulzmann began on saxophone at age 13 and played in Bill Ashton's London Youth Jazz Orchestra, later the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music from 1969-1972...
, John Parricelli
John Parricelli
John Parricelli is a jazz guitarist, appearing and recording mainly in the United Kingdom.Parricelli began his career as a guitarist in 1982 and was one of the founding members of the British big band Loose Tubes, with whom he recorded three albums...
, Phil Donkin, Martin France
Martin France
Martin France is an English jazz drummer based in London. He has been the rhythmic backbone on more than 60 albums working with some of the world's finest musicians....
and Ben Bryant.
He was chosen by Chick Corea
Chick Corea
Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, and composer.Many of his compositions are considered jazz standards. As a member of Miles Davis' band in the 1960s, he participated in the birth of the electric jazz fusion movement. In the 1970s he formed Return to Forever...
for a solo concert performance and live recording at Klavier Festival Ruhr 2007. This concert was broadcast on WDR radio and 20,000 copies were given away as a cover mount CD in Germany's leading music magazine Fonoforum.
He was a member of Tim Garland
Tim Garland
Tim Garland is a British jazz saxophonist, composer and band-leader. He is also known for his innovative bass clarinet playing and for his prolific output as composer, blurring the boundaries between modern jazz and classical concert music.As a performer, he has worked widely both in Britain and...
's Lighthouse Trio, however left in 2009 being replaced by John Turville. He is currently a member of Malcolm Creese's Acoustic Triangle, Stan Sulzmann's Neon, and Bill Bruford
Bill Bruford
William Scott "Bill" Bruford is an English drummer, percussionist, composer, producer, and record label owner. He was the original drummer for the progressive rock group Yes, from 1968-1972. Bruford has performed for numerous popular acts since the early 1970s, including a stint as touring...
's Earthworks. He has also played with musicians including Dave Holland
Dave Holland
Dave Holland is an English jazz double bassist, composer and bandleader who has been performing and recording for five decades. He has lived in the United States for 40 years....
, Lee Konitz
Lee Konitz
Lee Konitz is an American jazz composer and alto saxophonist born in Chicago, Illinois.Generally considered one of the driving forces of Cool Jazz, Konitz has also performed successfully in bebop and avant-garde settings...
, Bob Mintzer
Bob Mintzer
Bob Mintzer is a jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and big band leader based in Los Angeles, California. Mintzer is a member of the jazz rock band the Yellowjackets.-With The Yellowjackets:*Greenhouse, 1991;*Live Wires, 1992;...
, Bobby McFerrin
Bobby McFerrin
Robert "Bobby" McFerrin, Jr. is an American vocalist and conductor. He is best known for his 1988 hit song "Don't Worry, Be Happy". He is a ten-time Grammy Award winner.-Life:...
, Kenny Wheeler
Kenny Wheeler
Kenneth Vincent John Wheeler, OC is a Canadian composer and trumpet and flugelhorn player, based in the U.K. since the 1950s....
, Iain Ballamy
Iain Ballamy
Iain Ballamy is a British composer, soprano, alto and tenor saxophone player.- Career :Ballamy was schooled at 1975-80 George Abbot School, Guildford. He then studied Musical Instrument Technology from 1980-1982 Merton College...
, Julian Argüelles
Julian Argüelles
Julian Argüelles is a saxophonist. He is currently a member of the HR Big Band in Frankfurt am Main, Germany....
, Pete King
Pete King (saxophonist)
Peter "Pete" Stephen George King was a British jazz tenor saxophonist. He was the manager of London's famous jazz club, Ronnie Scott's, for almost 50 years.-Biography:...
, Don Weller
Don Weller
Don Weller is an American illustrator and painter. He did covers for Time Magazine, TV Guide and illustrated stories in Sports Illustrated, Boys' Life, Pro, and Readers Digest. He also designed posters for the NFL, The Rose Bowl, and 1984 L.A. Olympics. He has also taught at UCLA and The Art Center...
, Steve Waterman
Steve Waterman
Steve Waterman is a producer for both movies and television.He was co-producer for Casper and executive producer for Stuart Little and Stuart Little 2.He is currently producing the upcoming live-action/CGI animated Alvin and the Chipmunks movie....
, and Torsten de Winkel
Torsten de Winkel
Torsten de Winkel is a German musician and composer primarily active in the jazz and world music genres...
/ New York Jazz Guerrilla.
He also plays French horn and has played with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra
National Youth Jazz Orchestra
The National Youth Jazz Orchestra is a British jazz orchestra founded in 1963 by Bill Ashton.Based in Westminster, London, NYJO started life as the London Schools' Jazz Orchestra and evolved into becoming the national orchestra...
(NYJO), the BBC Big Band
BBC Big Band
The BBC Big Band, originally known as the BBC Radio Big Band is a British big band run under the auspices of the BBC. Widely regarded as the UK’s leading and most versatile jazz orchestra, the band broadcasts exclusivley on BBC Radio, particularly on BBC Radio 2's long running series Big Band Special...
, and with Kenny Wheeler
Kenny Wheeler
Kenneth Vincent John Wheeler, OC is a Canadian composer and trumpet and flugelhorn player, based in the U.K. since the 1950s....
on his 2003/2005 tour.
Commissions/collaborations
- A commission to compose and perform a piano concerto with the BBC Concert OrchestraBBC Concert OrchestraThe BBC Concert Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London, one of the British Broadcasting Corporation's five radio orchestras. With around fifty players, it is the only one of the five which is not a full-scale symphony orchestra....
at the Proms 2008 at the Royal Albert Hall in London (Progressions) - A commission for a new work for the Aronowitz Ensemble at the City of London FestivalCity of London FestivalThe City of London Festival is an annual arts festival that takes place in the City of London, England, over two to three weeks in June and July. The Festival is strongly geared towards classical music, but also offers a programme that includes jazz, world music, opera, film screenings, lectures...
, July 2008 - A commission and recording for a piano concerto with big band with the NDR Big Band in Germany (Hamburg Suite)
- A Big Band project at Cheltenham Jazz FestivalCheltenham Jazz FestivalCheltenham Jazz Festival is one of the UK’s leading jazz festivals, and is part of Cheltenham Festivals: also responsible for the Science, Music and Literature Festivals that run every year.]-Introduction and history:...
2007, broadcast on BBC Radio on 1 June 2007 (The Lichfield Suite) - A 2007 commission and tour with The Scottish Ensemble (Chamber Orchestra), broadcast on 1 July 2007 on BBC Radio Scotland and again on BBC Radio 3 on 12 October
- Guest soloist on Mark Antony Turnage's commission with London SinfoniettaLondon SinfoniettaThe London Sinfonietta is an English chamber orchestra founded in 1968 and based in London. The ensemble specialises in contemporary music and works across a wide range of genres, performing modern classics alongside world premieres, and includes music by electronica artists as well as folk and...
for the re-opening of the Southbank Centre at Queen Elizabeth HallQueen Elizabeth HallThe Queen Elizabeth Hall is a music venue on the South Bank in London, United Kingdom that hosts daily classical, jazz, and avant-garde music and dance performances. The QEH forms part of Southbank Centre arts complex and stands alongside the Royal Festival Hall, which was built for the Festival...
, June 2007 - A commission for the Britten SinfoniaBritten SinfoniaBritten Sinfonia is a chamber orchestra ensemble based in Cambridge, UK. It was created in 1992, following an initiative from Eastern Arts and a number of key figures including Nicholas Cleobury, who recognised the need for an orchestra in the East of England. It is a flexible ensemble composed of...
, premiered at the London Jazz Festival 2007 (Jackie's Dance) - New Horn Sonata performed at the Wigmore Hall with French hornHorn (instrument)The horn is a brass instrument consisting of about of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. A musician who plays the horn is called a horn player ....
player Chris Parkes - Performed the première of Tim Garland’s piano concerto with the Northern SinfoniaNorthern SinfoniaThe Northern Sinfonia is a British chamber orchestra, based initially in Newcastle upon Tyne, and currently in Gateshead. For the first 46 years of its history, the orchestra gave the bulk of its concerts at the City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne. Since 2004, the orchestra has been resident at The...
, May 2005 - A commission and major Arts CouncilArts Council EnglandArts Council England was formed in 1994 when the Arts Council of Great Britain was divided into three separate bodies for England, Scotland and Wales. It is a non-departmental public body of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport...
-funded tour of cathedrals with Acoustic Triangle and Sacconi Strings, 2008
Awards
- Winner of Perrier Award 2001: Young Jazz Ensemble
- Winner of BBC Jazz Award 2005: Rising Star
- Winner of British Jazz Award 2005: Rising Star
- Nominated for Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2007: Jazz Musician of the Year
- Nominated for BBC Jazz Award 2008: Best Instrumentalist
- Nominated for BBC Jazz Award 2008: Best Album
- BBC Radio 3 New Generation ArtistBBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists schemeBBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme was devised by BBC Radio 3 Editor Adam Gatehouse and launched in 1999. It exists as part of the BBC's commitment to nurture young musical talent. Every autumn six to seven young artists who are beginning to make a mark on the national and international...
2006-2008 - Nominated for Radio 3 Listeners' Awards 2008
- Nominated for Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize 2011
Discography
- Catalyst - Acoustic Triangle (Audio B, 2003)
- Close to You - Kathleen Willison (Basho, 2004)
- Resonance - Acoustic Triangle (Audio B, 2005)
- If the Sea Replied - Tim Garland (Sirocco Music, 2005)
- Take me home - Kaz Simmons (33 Jazz Records, 2005)
- Heart Luggage – Klaus Gesing (ATS Records, 2006)
- Sax of Gold - Sax Assault (Astute Music, 2007)
- Traces - Dan Stern (Kvetch, 2007)
- Perception – Gwilym Simcock (Basho, 2007)
- Due North – Tim Garland (Jazzaction, 2007)
- Reverence - Spike Wells (Audio-B, 2007)
- Video Anthology Vol. 1: 2000's - Bill Bruford's Earthworks (Summerfold Records, 2007)
- SGS Group, Inc. Presents - Simcock - Goloubev - Sirkis (Music Center, 2008)
- Give It One - London Horn Sound (Cala, 2008)
- Smoke and Mirrors - Tom Richards Orchestra (Candid, 2008)
- 3 Dimensions - Acoustic Triangle (Audio B, 2008)
- Finally Beginning - John Warren (Fuzzy Moon, 2008)
- Bimbache Jazz & Raíces - La Condición Humana (nyjg / ESC, 2008)
- Howeird - Sam Crockatt Quartet (Loop, 2009)
- Metafore Semplici - Yuri Goloubev (Universal, 2009)
- Libra - Tim Garland (Global Mix, 2009)
- Following On - John Warren (Fuzzy Moon, 2009)
- Blues Vignette – Gwilym Simcock (Basho, 2009)
- Good Days At Schloss Elmau - Gwilym Simcock (ACT, 2011)