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"..a repertoire riplling with hip pop and R&B harmonies laced with jazz devices...Oli Rockberger's as much of a slam-dunk talent as any artist I've ever reviewed or interviewed..." ALL ABOUT JAZZ, Phil DiPietro
"...gifted British treasure brings such jazz integrity to essentially a rock repertoire. A talented songwriter yes, but his sensational piano playing will knock your socks off..." JAZZ UK, Chrissie Murray
London born (NYC BASED) Singer/Songwriter and Pianist Oli Rockberger was identified by London Broadsheet 'The Times' as 'A rising star in the arts firmament' by age 18. Shortly after, he gained a Full Tuition Scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music where he 'won every formal accolade they could hand him' (Phil DiPietro – "All About Jazz") including the highly coveted 'Quincy Jones Endowed Scholarship' for outstanding young composers.
Since then, Oli has gone on to establish himself as a first rate international performer with solo artist highlights including: The Royal Albert Hall (UK), The Phoenix Jazz Festival (Japan), The Brecon Jazz Festival (UK), Steinway and Sons of Boston, Soul of The Blues Festival Cornelia Street Café (Headliner 2006, 2007) and a sell out show at top London Jazz venue, The Pizza Express Jazz Club (2007).
Equally in demand as a Session Musician/Producer/Arranger, Oli recently Co-Produced and performed on the forthcoming album "Chasing Shadows" by prodigious bassist Tony Grey (Hiromi, John McLaughlin). The album, which features a host of first class instrumental talent including Chris "daddy" Dave, Lionel Loueke and Gregoire Maret, will be released in the USA on "Abstract Logix" and in Japan on "Ward Records" (May 2008). Oli also appears as a special guest on Mocean Worker's most recent album "Cinco De Mowo" which features performances by Marcus Miller, Herb Alpert and Steven Bernstein. As a Songwriter, Oli penned an original "Quiet" and a co-write "Orange Moon" (with Jesse Hayes) last year which both appeared on the album "Ai Wo" by EMI Japan Artist Aika, garnering radio airplay and a top ten chart position. Most recently, Oli appears on The Billy Holliday "Remixed and Reimagined" album on Legacy Records (SONY) and on the new live album by virtuoso bassist Janek Gwizdala, recorded over two nights at NYC's legendary Jazz Venue, "The 55 Bar".
Oli has shared the stage with a diverse range of world class musical artists on both sides of the pond from jazz & soul, through funk, pop, rock and gospel. Recent highlights include performances with Saxophonist Bob Reynolds (The Blue Note, The "MayerCraft Carrier" on a shared bill with John Mayer, Soulive, Martin Sexton) Jazz/Electronica artist Mocean Worker (The Blue Note, Joe's Pub, "Bumbershoot Festival" Seattle, KCRW Live Sessions LA, "Treasure Island Festival" San Francisco) Singer/Songwriter Marlon Saunders (Jazz Cafe, Blue Note, Symphony Space), Bassist Janek Gwizdala Band (55 Bar - live recording) and musical legends such as Randy Brecker, Hiram Bullock, David Ryan Harris and Jackie De Shannon amongst numerous others.
Press includes a feature in Playboy Japan's NYC Arts/Culture post 9-11 in an article featuring both upcoming and established jazz luminaries such as Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis and Makoto Ozone. Oli has also been featured several times in NYC's "All About Jazz" magazine as well as in "Time Out" (London), UK Broadsheets such as 'The Times', 'The Telegraph', and in UK Jazz Magazines like 'Jazz UK' and 'Jars' (Ronnie Scott's in-house magazine). Radio airplay includes UK's Jazz FM and BBC Radio as well as numerous US jazz radio podcasts.
For full bio, audio (live and studio), please visit www.olirockberger.com