Biography of Neil Cowley

In June this year, The Neil Cowley Trio launched their debut album, Displaced, prompting the Guardian to claim the trio as “one of the big jazz stories of the year”, and The Independent to suggest “Stardom beckons”.

The trio have a unique voice and an original approach. Witty, dynamic and exciting, their themes feature catchy hooks, soulful moments and thrilling climaxes. And they swing like hell!

A child protégé, Cowley was performing Shostakovich by the age of 10. By 17 he had turned his back on the world of classical music and entered the world of pop, performing and recording with The Brand New Heavies and Zero 7, until he formed his own band, Fragile State, producing two critically acclaimed albums that set the world of jazzy chill-out music alight. He began to find extracting music from a computer chip unbearable, an experience he refers to as “lonely and depressing”. So, he called on the oldest friend he had – his dear old piano, and set forth to present creativity without technological hindrance. The result was Displaced. Released to huge critical acclaim, the outstanding album of original recordings presents Cowley as a thoroughly modern player with an impeccable touch.

With Richard Sadler on double bass, and Evan Jenkins on drums, Cowley has assembled a masterful jazz trio, whose bursts of energy and emotional infectiousness underpin his tremendous flair for creating beautiful, sometimes forceful melodies.