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Pianist/Composer Gwilym Simcock Releases New CD "Blues Vignette" on Basho Records

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Basho Records is proud to announce the new double CD release “Blues Vignette“ from pianist and composer Gwilym Simcock. The album introduces his new trio featuring extraordinary, classically trained Russian bassist Yuri Goloubev and young UK drum star James Maddren as well as documenting Simcock's emerging voice as a solo pianist.

The first CD offers a mix of stunning improvisations and new original compositions as well as insightful interpretations of Grieg's Piano Concerto and a unique reading of the popular tune 'On Broadway.' It also provides a brief window into the mind of a composer who mixes classical and jazz effortlessly, with a recording of a suite for cello and piano originally written for the opening of London's celebrated new classical and chamber venue King's Place. Classical cellist Cara Berridge is featured on this work.

The second CD, a trio CD is a mix of Simcock compositions and imaginative interpretations of great classics such as 'Black Coffee' and 'Cry Me A River. In Gwilym's own words 'recording an album is like taking a photograph. An album is a document of a specific moment in time, a vignette, and an insight into the stage that one as a musician has reached. This album marks both the beginning of a fresh journey with a new trio, and documents my continuing quest towards finding an individual voice as a solo pianist." He continues, “All of this music is neither 'jazz' nor 'classical'. It is just music, and the type of music that interests and stimulates me. What I feel is important in music is lyricism, subtlety and clarity in harmonic and rhythmic movement, and an overall sense of an emotional connection with the listener, whatever the context of the music may be."


“Gwilym's an original. A creative genius" -Chick Corea

“the ever-awesome Simcock" -John Fordham, The Guardian

“I feel confident that Simcock already deserves to occupy the inner circle of the great contemporary pianists along with Mehldau, Jarrett, and Rubalcaba" -David Kane, Cadence U.S.A.


Gwilym Simcock Bio:

28 year old, Gwilym Simcock is one of the most gifted pianists and imaginative composers on the British scene. Able to move 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'.

Gwilym's influences include jazz legends Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea and John Taylor and classical composers Maurice Ravel and Igor Stravinsky, Mark-Anthony Turnage. Although principally a jazz artist, Gwilym is breaking new ground between genres and often uses classical reference points in his composed work.

Aside from his renowned solo piano work, Gwilym has worked extensively throughout Europe with the cream of British and international jazz artists including Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Lee Konitz, Bill Bruford's Earthworks, Bob Mintzer and Bobby McFerrin. His own groups as leader range from trio to big band. His debut album “Perception" featuring his sextet with Stan Sulzmann (saxophones), John Parricelli (guitar), Phil Donkin (bass), Martin France (drums) and Ben Bryant (percussion). was nominated for Best Album in the BBC Jazz Awards 2008 and has been critically acclaimed at home and abroad.

Winner of the Perrier Award, BBC Jazz Awards 2005. British Jazz Awards 2005 Gwilym was the first BBC Radio 3 New Generation jazz Artist. He was voted “Jazz Musician of the Year" at the 2007 Parliamentary Jazz Awards nominated for the 2008 BBC Jazz Awards as Best Instrumentalist. His impressive formal education includes 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.

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