Simon Woods (7:28)

Simon Woods is a composer, arranger and half songwriter (I say half - I can write music and chords, no problem... but lyrics!!??) from Essex. After starting playing the piano aged 6, Simon raced ahead and clearly had a talent for it, but after a while, grades took their toll on his soul... alas, he got bored of music and stopped taking grades after grade 4. However, after hearing Kenny Kirkland soloing on Sting's "La Belle Dames Sans Regrets", Simon found a love of a new kind of music. Jazz. Unfortunately it would be a while yet before he started learning the art. School was a miserable time for Simon, and he left with no self confidence or belief in both himself and his talent. A move to Colchester Institute soon changed that. Learning Jazz with his piano tutor Chris Burn and all-round jazz guru Malcolm Miles, Simon re-discovered his love of music, and also re-discovered classical music with Alan Bullard, Chris Phelps, and Bill Tamblyn. He also managed to start learning the Double Bass with Royal Opera House principal Double Bassist, Tony Hougham. Sadly, Simon has been hindered somewhat with very small hands, and still struggles to play the music he loves.With the help of Alan Bullard and Malcolm Miles, Simon also excelled in the creative side of music - composition and arranging. He has now written his first film score, for the Caravel picture; "Quirino Cristiani: The Mystery of the First Animated Movies", directed by Gabriele Zucchelli, and produced by Konrad Welz. The film is currently screening around Italy, and will hopefully move to the Americas, and Europe.Currently Simon is working part time at Colchester Institute, with vocal teachers including: Brandon Brophy, Louise Sofield, Martin George, Rebecca Hollweg, and Becky McCracken, who he is also forming 7:28 with... Want to know how that got started? Read on....Simon Woods and Becky McCracken got together in October 2006 after Becky took up the reigns of singing tutor at Colchester Institute, where Simon is the regular accompanist, and former student! After discovering they both had similar loves of jazz, late night mood music and a desire to form a good band, 7:28 was born. So why 7:28? Well, Becky is 28 and... urm... Simon's mental age is 7. (It's actually my favourite number) 7:28 are still in the starters blocks and beginning what will hopefully be a rewarding partnership. Thanks to the wonders of myspace, we have all but formed the band with many willing musicians expressing their interest to join. Looks like we have the possibility of forming a cracking band complete with rhythm section, trumpets, saxophones, and trombones! We hope to put some original songs and brand new arrangements of standards and pop songs up on this space very soon, but until then, enjoy some of Simon's solo work - some original compositions, and a performance of 'El Cumbanchero' featuring conga master Sébastien Daniell. I think you'll agree he's got the latin shouts down to a fine art.I wish to take the time to thank everyone who has posted a positive comment thus far - they are all very much appreciated. Here's to the future.