Gwilym Simcock

Gwilym Simcock, one of Britain’s most talented pianists, is also an imaginative composer. He can seamlessly switch between jazz and classical music and is often able to inhabit both worlds. His style has been described by many as being stylistically similar to Keith Jarrett. His music is widely praised as being ‘engaging and exciting, often surprising, melodically engaging, complex, and wonderfully optimistic’. Gwilym draws inspiration from jazz legends Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea, as well as classical composers Maurice Ravel, Igor Stravinsky and Mark-Anthony Turnage. Gwilym, a jazz musician in the main, is also experimenting with other genres. He often draws on classical references for his compositions. Gwilym is well-known for his solo piano work. He has also worked extensively in Europe with some of the most prominent British and international jazz musicians, including Dave Holland and Kenny Wheeler. His own bands as a leader include a trio and a big band. His debut album, “Perception”, features his sextet featuring Stan Sulzmann (saxophones), John Parricelli on guitar, Phil Donkin on bass, Martin France (drums), and Ben Bryant on percussion. The BBC Jazz Awards 2008 nominated it for the Best Album. It has been widely praised at home and abroad. Blues Vignette, his 2009 album, featured solo piano as well as work with his new trio of Yuri Goloubev and James Maddren (drums). It has been universally praised for being “sublime”, flawless, “impressive”, and a mark that few other albums are likely to match. The Barclaycard Mercury Prize 2011 was presented to his most recent solo album, “Good Days at Schloss Elmau”, which was released on the prestigious ACT label. It has been praised as “dazzlingly fresh”, a “world-class”, “stupendous”, “phenomenal”, and “a cause for great celebration”. His band, The Impossible Gentlemen, which he formed with Mike Walker (guitar), Steve Swallow and Adam Nussbaum (drums), was released June 2011. It won the Perrier Award at the BBC Jazz Awards 2005. British Jazz Awards 2005 Gwilym won the title of “Jazz Musician of the Year” at the BBC Jazz Awards. At the 2007 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, he was named “Jazz Musician” and nominated once more in 2010. He was also nominated for the 2008 BBC Jazz Awards for Best Instrumentalist. He has a remarkable formal education, including Trinity College of Music in London and Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester. There he studied French horn, composition, and classical piano. At the Royal Academy of Music in London, he graduated with first-class honours from the jazz course and was awarded the coveted ‘Principal’s Prize’ for exceptional achievement. He is an associate professor at the Royal Academy of Music. from www.gwilymsimcock.com

Leave a Comment