Biography of Sophie Bancroft

Sophie Bancroft grew up in a musical family; her parents were semi-professional jazz musicians and brothers Tom and Phil Bancroft have become two of the top jazz musicians and composers in Scotland. As a young child, Sophie has strong memories of falling asleep to the jazz bands that would play at her parents numerous musical parties, and an innate musical sense was born.

After a musically rebellious teenage era, at the age of 17 Sophie expressed her desire to be a jazz singer to her father, who promptly sat her down and played her his favourite albums by Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Astrud Gilberto and started singing regularly with the family band. Edinburgh was full of an exciting generation of young jazz musicians at this time and Sophie soon formed her own bands, developing her skills alongside Brian Kellock, Colin Steele and John Rae to name but a few, and receiving much acclaim from the press.

· “It is for her ability as a musician that she’s become part of the wave talent now being recognised in Central Scotland” The Herald

· “This voice has elegant and ethereal qualities and should be encouraged” The Scotsman

· “She is the best vocalist of the new generation of young Scot’s jazz musicians” The Herald

Sophie performed around Britain at major jazz festivals and clubs, as well as touring in France and Italy. After teaming up with guitarist Sandy Wright, she received regular broadcasts on BBC Radio 2 and Radio Scotland.

Sophie then moved south to take up post as Britains first Jazz Education Development Officer, during which time she honed her skills as a songwriter and an educator. On her return back to Scotland, Sophie teamed up with singer and musician Gina Rae, and went on to have a highly successful 5 years performing, broadcasting and recording mainly Sophie’s compositions with a unique jazz, folk and pop mixture of influences.