Member Since: 8/4/2006
Band Website: richardniles.com
Band Members: CURRENT PROJECTS: 1. “PAT METHENY – Bright Size Life†3-part documentary written & produced by Richard Niles for BBC Radio2. Friend & colleague Niles interviews Pat Metheny about his concepts & methodology with contributions from Gary Burton, Lyle Mays & Jack DeJohnette. 2. “WHAT IS MELODY?†3-part documentary written & produced by Richard Niles for BBC Radio2. Niles answers the question with the help of over 40 contributors including The Bee Gees, Nickleback, Gary Burton, Lyle Mays, Jeremy Lubbock, Martin Taylor, The Cheetah Girls, Bob James... 3. FAITH In An Elevator - Niles presents a 3-part documentary of composer/arranger Percy Faith, in conversation with hit pop arrangers John Altman and Nick Ingman "The Top Gear Of Arranging"). Joining them, Richard Jones, the bassist of brilliant contemporary band The Feeling, and Richard Hawley, Amy McDonald, KT Tunstall. Listen online: www.bbc.co.uk/radio2 4. “The SHULGIN SONGBOOKâ€: Alexander Shulgin has been one of the most successful pop/rock songwriters in Russia since the 1980s when he sold over 20million records with his band Cruise. Since then he has written over 50 1s in Russia for many artists. He is also the producer and judge of Russian TV shows Pop Idol and Star Academy. Shulgin has commissioned Niles to produce & arrange two albums. For the first Niles has arranged jazz versions of Shulgin’s songs with a band including drummer Gary Husband (John McLaughlin, Level 42), bassist Janek Gwizdala (Mike Stern, Aierto, Jem), keyboardist Richard Cottle (Seal, Alan Parsons, David Bowie) Snake Davis (M People, Ray Charles, Tom Jones) and Niles on guitar. Niles has also arranged tacks on the album featuring special guests Bob James, Bill Cobham, John Patitucci, Bob Mintzer and harmonica player Gregoire Maret (Pat Metheny). The second “songbook†album features the solo piano of Gary Husband. Multi instrumentalist Husband is currently on tour as a pianist for John McLaughlin and has also played piano for Billy Cobham. He has also worked with McLaughlin as a drummer and was the drummer in the successful British ‘jazz-funk’ band Level 42. Gary’s piano arrangements of Shulgin’s songs will include one duet with guitar virtuoso Martin Taylor.
YOUNEE, from Seoul, Korea is ‘beyond category’ as a singer, songwriter and pianist. Her exquisitely vulnerable voice can also express raw power. An accomplished and virtuosic classical pianist, she plays rock as well as Rachmaninoff. She has performed piano concertos with symphony orchestras and jazz with Grammy-winning pianist Bob James. She is an award-winning singer/songwriter (US VH-1’s AC Song of the Year, and the Brit Awards composition prize) who has also written music for film and TV. She has released two albums in Korea as “Keys Piano†(2006 & 2007 – EMI & Manworldang) and performed extensively on Korean television.When BOB JAMES heard her music he invited her to perform with him in Seoul – his brilliant composition for piano ‘four hands’. Knowing Younee wanted to break free of the creative restrictions of the Korean music business, James suggested she contact American producer/composer/arranger RICHARD NILES.Younee and Niles began to write songs using Skype – Younee in her bedroom studio in Seoul and Niles in his studio in London. Niles’ lyrics bring a powerful message to Younee’s emotional melodies. His arrangements and production inspire Younee to express both her virtuosity and her passion. Together they have been able to integrate contrasting elements of popular music into a unified whole, balancing tradition with innovation - a dynamic and truly unique blend of genres. LISTEN to 6 of the tracks on this page and the other 6 on Younee’s page: http://www.myspace.com/keyspianomusic Younee is currently seeking management, publishing and distribution. CONTACT Richard Niles through this page.
Influences: INFLUENCES INCLUDE Harpo Marx, Wes Montgomery, Chick Corea, Nelson Riddle, Bill Evans, Gil Evans, Miles Davis, Don Sebesky, Shorty Rogers, Maria Schnieder, Neal Hefti, Pat Metheny, Ravel, Weather Report, Michael Gibbs, Les Dawson, Debussy, Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Joe Venuti, Tony Romano, Nick Romano, Claus Ogerman, Kieth Jarrett, Jim Hall, Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, Randy Brecker, Gary Husband, Nigel Hitchcock, Dave Grusin, Dori Caymmi, Bob James, Ivan Lins, Janek Gwizdala, Harvey Mason, all Stan Kentons arrangers, Herb Pomeroy, Ken Dodd, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Singers Unlimited, Cat Stevens, Itiberi, Silverchair, Cole Porter, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Hi-Los, David Crosby, Jack Nitzsche, Ray Charles, Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorius, The Yellowjackets, Booker T & The MGs, Woody Allen, Tower of Power, Steely Dan, Wayne Shorter, The Monkees, The Beach Boys, Take 6, James Brown, Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Kid Creole, James Jamerson, David Van De Pitte, Paul Riser, Milton Nascimento, A.C. Jobim, The Beatles, Paul McCartney, George Martin, Sammy Lowe, Arif Mardin, Richard Carpenter, Jeremy Lubbock, Groucho Marx
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Record Label: Richard Niles PhD (Brunel University)
Type of Label: None