Iain Ballamy
Composer, Tenor & Soprano Saxophone - Green in Blue
Ballamy established himself as a bandleader and by playing alongside notables including Hermeto Pascoal, the late Gil Evans, George Coleman, Dewey Redman, Bill Bruford, the New York Composers Orchestra and Django Bates. He's appeared at major international festivals and venues and played on over 40 CDs. World music credits include concerts in India and Europe with the Karnataka College of Percussion and strong working relationships with renowned musicians from Hungary, Norway, Spain, Sudan and Brazil. His distinctive saxophone voice can be heard on the acclaimed BBC Radio 4 play Signal to Noise by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean, the movie Legend and a documentary Joseph Losey - The Man with Four Names. He recently scored the award winning film Mirrormask directed by Dave McKean for the Jim Henson Company. Recent releases Veggie and Last Supper on the Rune Gramafon label feature Norway's finest contemporary players. Ballamy is an agony uncle for Jazz UK magazine, counselling the nation with his shrink column In the Saxophonist's Chair. In 2001 he was awarded the BBC Radio 3 special award for innovation at the British Jazz Awards. He enjoys metal detecting and is also a specialist tutor at the Royal Welsh College Cardiff and Royal Academy in London. Most recently, Ian was awarded the Paul Hamlin Award under the artist/composer category.
Gareth Williams
Keyboard - Green in Blue
Described as a jewel of a player spinning out luminous introductions and codas by Jazziz Magazine (USA), he has dazzled audiences not only by his virtuosic approach to the piano, but also by his talents on guitar and as a singer. He describes his musical references as Bill Evans, Welsh Tenor David Lloyd, Big Bill Broonzy, Mahler, Coltrane and Thin Lizzy. Playing credits include Us3, Claire Martin for whom he acted as MD and performances worldwide with Jim Mullen, Bud Shank, James Moody and George Coleman.
Steve Watts
Double Bass - Green in Blue
Whilst studying classical Double Bass at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama Steve discovered jazz and left immediately. Since then he's worked with Mark Copeland, Julian Arguelles, Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Gordon Beck, Phil Woods, Bobby Wellins, Kirk Lightsey, Joe Lovano and others. Steve has also played on numerous film soundtracks and taken part in many broadcasts for radio and TV. Steve is currently Professor of Bass at the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Trinity College of Music and Middlesex University.
Tim Giles
Drums & Electronic Drum Pad - Green in Blue
Tim Giles has fulfilled his promise as a child prodigy becoming one of the most thrilling young contemporary jazz drummers on the scene. Born on the 3rd of April 1980 in the intriguingly named town of Eye, he has hit things with a veritable who's who of British jazz stars including Julian Arguelles, Stan Sulzmann and also recorded sessions with members of The Orb. He is also a member of the Perfect Houseplants and Tom Arthurs' Centripede. After turning professional at 16, Jazzthing magazine described him as a Schlagzergwunder! He's currently associated with bands from London's LOOP collective and co-leads Fraud, (2006 Jerwood Foundation Rising Stars) with tenor saxophonist James Allsopp.
Britten Sinfonia
Recording Artists for Tiger Dancing
One of the UK's most energetic and innovative groups, Britten Sinfonia features some of the country's brightest musical stars. Performing at most major UK festivals and venues, with residencies in Cambridge and Norwich, Britten Sinfonia also tours nationally, internationally and broadcasts frequently on national radio. Committed to broadening traditional orchestral repertoire, Britten Sinfonia has premiered over 60 works from composers including John Woolrich and Nitin Sawhney. This year Britten Sinfonia collaborates with Evelyn Glennie, Ian Bostridge, the Choir of St John's College (Cambridge), Tasmin Little, James MacMillan, Joanna MacGregor, Polyphony and Stephen Layton. A programme of workshops, pre-concert activities, coaching and children's concerts run by Britten Sinfonia Community & Education underpins the orchestra's dedication to introducing music to new audiences. Visit the Britten Sinfonia website: http://www.brittensinfonia.co.uk
Steve Martland
Composer of Tiger Dancing
Where art impinges on the realities of life, Steve Martland%u2019s music speaks with a refreshing directness, raising social issues and philosophical questions of burning importance to our age. Most striking is the rhythmic verve of his work, extending into new areas the discoveries of his teacher Louis Andreissen. But Martland is a lyricist as well, whose melodic style can achieve a rapt, almost spiritual communication. With the exception of his symphonic poem Babi Yar, he has chosen to avoid the standard concert-hall forms, preferring to write for smaller groups, including his own Steve Martland Band, taking music to schools, to community centers and out into the street.
Taiko Meantime
Musicians featured in Second Signal
Taiko Meantime strike at the heart of what makes Taiko drumming great: a fascinating show combining traditional taiko rhythms and techniques from all over Japan with original eclectic compositions, and a thirst to connect with an audience.
Hailing from Greenwich, London, Taiko Meantime formed in 2001 and soon developed a show, currently with seven members, which has lead them to sold-out performances at the prestigious Southbank Centre in London, and appearances on BBC and Channel4.
In 2004, they had the honour to perform alongside the world-class Hana Yui of the Kodo drummers at sold-out performances at the Lilian Baylis Theatre in London.
Tonight's performance of 'Second Signal' features three members of Taiko Meantime in collaboration with the Henri Oguike Dance Company that has toured around the World and received critical acclaim. Visit their website:
http://www.taikomeantime.com