This is one for the diary………..
New Ross Piano Festival’s brochure with the programme for this September is now widely available. And one of the stand-out pianists is a man who has made a huge name for himself in the jazz piano world. He is the charismatic Welsh pianist, Gwilym Simcock and he will be performing in St Mary’s Church, New Ross on Thursday, September 26th. Do not miss him.
Gwilym Simcock has carved out a career as one of the most gifted pianists and imaginative composers on the European scene and moves effortlessly between jazz and classical music. He can at times inhabit both worlds and has been described as 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. His music has been widely acclaimed as ‘engaging, exciting, often unexpected, melodically enthralling, complex and wonderfully optimistic’.
His influences are wide ranging, from jazz legends including Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Jaco Pastorius and Pat Metheny, to classical composers including Maurice Ravel, Henri Dutilleux, Béla Bartók and Mark-Anthony Turnage.
He has toured extensively with the cream of British and international jazz artists including Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Lee Konitz and Bobby McFerrin. He co-leads the Anglo-American Supergroup ‘The Impossible Gentlemen’ with British guitar legend Mike Walker, Steve Rodby and Adam Nussbaumas as well as touring with classical virtuoso Nigel Kennedy.
He has frequently appeared on British television and radio and has presented ‘Saturday Classics’ on BBC Radio 3. Gwilym has led and recorded a variety of different projects. His debut album “Perception” was nominated for Best Album in the BBC Jazz Awards, and was critically acclaimed at home and abroad. “Near and Now” was Gwilym Simcock's second full album for solo piano. The first solo album, the highly successful “Good Days at Schloss Elmau” from 2011, was nominated for the Mercury Prize and was an important step in establishing the Welsh-born pianist's reputation internationally. It has also stood the test of time, a fact which is at least in part due to the strong architectural sense that Simcock always brings to his work as both composer and improviser. His most recent release Blues Vignette features both solo piano and work with his new trio with Yuri Goloubev (bass) and James Maddren (drums). The album has been universally praised as ‘sublime’, ‘flawless’, ‘impressive’ and ‘a marker that few others are likely to equal’.
He is a composer of some note. Commissions include compositions for the Britten Sinfonia, BBC Concert Orchestra and City of London Sinfonia
He is currently Professor of Jazz Piano at the Royal Academy of Music, where, when he was a student, he graduated from the jazz course with first class honours and won the coveted Principal‘s Prize for outstanding achievement.
“…The depth of Simcock’s jazz knowledge and the classical rigour with which he applies it was constantly evident…”
“…a spontaneous gift for thinking outside any box…”
John Fordham The Guardian
“…Simcock has a feeling for the way harmony can create architecture as well as momentary colours…”
Ivan Hewett Daily Telegraph
“…No young musician outside the pop world has moved as fast into the upper reaches of his profession as Simcock…”.
Stuart Nicholson, Observer
Visit the New Ross Piano Festival Website: www.newrosspianofestival.com
Email the New Ross Piano Festival:
Download the 2019 Brochure: New Ross Piano Festival 2019 Brochure
