About Artist
Gwilym Simcock is one of the most gifted pianists and imaginative composers on the British scene. His impressive formal education includes Trinity College of Music, Chetham’s School of Music where he studied classical piano, French horn and composition and the Royal Academy of Music where he graduated from the jazz course with first class honours. 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.
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. 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.
Comments
“Gwilym’s an original. A creative genius”
Chick Corea
"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