August 2nd with Imogen Ryall

 

Imogen Ryall was born in London into a theatrical family - her father is the actor David Ryall and her great uncle the late Robert Eddison. 

She discovered jazz early in life through her parents record collection which included Art Tatum; Oscar Peterson; Frank Sinatra and, one of her earliest influences, Norma Winstone. She left school at 16 to study jazz and pop at Chichester College of Technology and made her singing debut a year later alongside Kathy Stobart at The Chichester Jazz Festival, broadcast on Radio 2. 

Later she went on to attend the Guildhall School of Music & Drama studying jazz and it wasn't long before she was making regular appearances on the London jazz circuit. Her first CD "Alone Together" with guitarist, Andy Williams received extensive airplay and was much championed by DJ Sarah Ward who described her as having "A very, very lovely voice indeed". Her second CD "Waltz for Ruth" was recorded during a residency at the Dorchester Hotel and featured her partner, the pianist, Roderick Hart and Dave Green on double bass. 

She is also a songwriter and has written lyrics to a number of songs including 'Waltz For Ruth' by Charlie Haden; 'All Across the City' by Jim Hall and 'My Little Suede Shoes' by Charlie Parker She is also a featured vocalist for One51 and Duff Note Records with writer/producer Richard Earnshaw on Jazz/House hits 'Summer Rain', 'Joy Ride' and 'Space Jam 

 

Roderick Hart has been playing piano since the age of 6 having started with classical lessons but it wasn’t until he heard jazz later on that he realized where his passion lay.

He listened to any records he could find - his father played drums in dance bands and had a good collection. In fact it was his father who bought the piano for himself, but it became apparent that Roderick had perfect pitch and really should be taught.

His favourite albums were by Errol Garner and George Shearing, Oscar Peterson and later Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and Kenny Barron among others. (Skipping forward to the present day, Bill Evans remains one of his greatest influences and his recent project 'A Tribute To Bill Evans' features his arrangements of Bill's compositions for a quintet)

Roderick found work early on playing solo piano and he built a repertoire quickly. There was some work with bands at that time and and he started off in the rhythm section of the local rehearsal band. He played with visiting soloists at jazz gigs whilst getting a few dates with his own trio.

He then joined Elaine Delmar’s trio and got more work accompanying singers and recording dates which helped him develop his other passion for sound recording and studio production.

He continues this work from his own studio and plays regularly with, and writes for his current trio with Nigel and Dave.

Some of the gigs I've enjoyed playing over the years........

Peter King quartet

Elaine Delmar Trio with Mario Castronari
Geoff Simkins trio with Simon Woolf
Simon Morton Trio with Paul Morgan
Imogen Ryall Trio with Dave Green
Christian Brewer Quartet with Jeremy Brown
My trio with Geoff Gascoyne
Quartet with Bruno Rousselet 

Pete Cater band