Biography of Nigel Waddington

Reviews of Nigel's first release, "After a Journey":

"An excellent album, a pleasure to play on the radio"
- Mike Chadwick (Jazz FM)

"Imaginatively orchestrated...vibrantly performed by some of the best session players around. Waddington's scoring exudes confidence and panache, reshaping tried and tested big band traditions in a more contemporary idiom."
- John Chadwick (Jazz Journal International)

"The influences are of the best, but I was especially reminded at times of Bob Brookmeyer and Kenny Wheeler. If you want to hear some good contemporary big-band writing then I suggest you get Nigel Waddington's After a Journey."
- Dick Walter,composer,arranger
in Musician Magazine

After a Journey is clearly tomorrow's news.
- Frank Griffith, saxophonist, arranger, composer.

After a Journey is the culmination of several years' work by Nigel, one of the most refreshing composer/arrangers to emerge recently. The listener travels through kick-ass swing and deep latin grooves to introspective ballads via some distinctly contemporary moments, all sensitively orchestrated for big band and extended jazz orchestra in Nigel's individual style. After a Journey will appeal to an inquisitive listener, whilst remaining easily accessible to the mainstream big band fan. The orchestra features some of the finest musicians on the British jazz scene. Soloists include: Martin Shaw, Mark Bassey, Nick Homes, Julian Jackson. Vocals on "With You I'm Born Again " by Teresa Revill. - Mike Diprose

Nigel Waddington is an enthusiastic proponent of the through-composed jazz score. His use of standard big band instrumentation supplemented by orchestral instruments arose through his admiration for the work of such diverse writers as Robert Farnon, Vince Mendoza, Gordon Langford and the arrangers of the Stan Kenton dynasty.

"After a Journey" gathers five original pieces and three arrangements, demonstrating the broad range of styles available to writers for the expanded big band.

Nigel's forthcoming release, "Bigger Pictures", features Claire Martin, Steve Waterman, Derek Watkins and Martin Shaw with a 40-piece ensemble of fine session players with strings and woodwinds from the Philharmonia Orchestra and London Symphony Orchestra.