Biography of Geoff Eales

Geoff Eales is one of the UK's most exciting and imaginative jazz pianists. A charismatic performer, his unique interpretations of standards and his own powerful compositions have inspired and moved audiences all over the world. Born is South Wales, Geoff began playing blues and jazz piano at the age of eight encouraged by his father - a well known local dance band pianist. He went on to read music at Cardiff University obtaining a First Class Honours Degree, a Masters and a PhD in musical composition.

Geoff moved to London in 1977, joining the BBC Big Band and Radio Orchestra a year later. By the time he had left the BBC in 1983 he had been featured in well over a thousand broadcasts. Following an intensive 15 year period as one of London's most sought after studio pianists, working with a huge array of artists including Marvin Hamlisch, Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Rosemary Clooney, Shirley Bassey, Julie Andrews, Andy Williams, Elaine Paige, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sarah Brightman, Michael Crawford, and three of the world's finest classical singers in Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Lesley Garrett and Jose Carreras, Geoff returned to his first love - jazz, with a vengeance in 1998 when he recorded his debut solo jazz album "Mountains Of Fire" on the Black Box label. This was released to rave reviews in 1999.

In 2001, Geoff released his second critically acclaimed album for Black Box "Red Letter Days", followed a year later by his inspirational Trio album on Mainstem - "Facing The Muse".

As well as being a master improviser, Geoff is one of the most creative accompanists around. He regularly works with American vocal stylist Marlene VerPlanck and dynamic British vocalist Lee Gibson, and was Larry Adler's musical director until his death in August 2001. He has also supported Salena Jones, Marian Montgomery and Adelaide Hall and accompanied many US jazz instrumentalists including Zoot Sims, Jimmy McPartland, Teddy Edwards and Buddy Tate. Geoff has performed at many of the world's leading jazz clubs including the Blue Note in Japan, London's Ronnie Scott's and New York's Birdland, as well as major UK jazz festivals including Edinburgh, Marlborough, Grimsby, East of England and Ealing. The Trio were delighted to be invited to perform at the Guinness Cork International Jazz Festival in October 2002. In January 2003 Geoff was the featured soloist in Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall where he performed to a sell-out audience. In the summer of 2003, Geoff undertook a highly successful tour of California and Kentucky, which took in the prestigious Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles and Louisville's premier jazz spot - The Jazz Factory.

For interviews, bookings or further information about Geoff Eales, please contact Nick Lea at Jazz Views Promotions, Hillcrest, 55 Crag Bank Road, Carnforth, Lancs LA5 9GX. Tel No: 07780 587843, or by email at nick@jazzviews.co.uk