Biography of Alcyona

Dorset-born 25-year-old jazz pianist and composer Alcyona has a unique and fascinating approach to composition and improvisation. Her distinctive and innovative contemporary jazz style is influenced by Monk, Rollins, Shorter, Jarrett, Bartok and Messiaen.

Alcyona studied with Liam Noble at Birmingham conservatoire, where she gained a BMus Honours degree, and as a post graduate at London’s Royal Academy of Music. She has appeared in concert with John Etheridge, Gene Calderazzo, Zoe Rahman, Ingrid Laubrock and Chris Bowden’s ‘Slightly Askew’ quintet. She performed in the Cheltenham Jazz Festival’s ‘Rising Star’ series in 2003, and in concert with the European Big Band and Conservatoire Jazz Orchestra. Alcyona has composed music
for Acoustic Triangle and saxophonist John Williams as well as for her own group.
Alcyona's exciting group features some of the finest young stars on the London jazz scene:
John Blease and Asaf Sirkis (drums), Phil Donkin (double bass), Robbie Robson (trumpet) and Mark Hanslip (tenor sax). Vocalist Olivia Cheney guests on one track. The six extended pieces on the album - all composed by Alcyona - are interspersed with exquisite solo piano improvisations.
Alcyona's quintet was the first jazz group to receive the Leverhulme Fellowship - a coveted annual prize for the best chamber music ensemble at The Royal Academy. A UK tour is being planned for autumn 2006 to celebrate the release of Around the Sun.
Alcyona's album is another in Audio-B's Young Artist series which also includes debut recordings by Christian Garrick, Kate Williams, Matt Wates and Gwilym Simcock.
“A true and formidably-talented rising star, Alcyona composes rather formal, rhythmically devious pieces, and her patient, probing solos mingle sharp and sparing lyricism with something like the percussive chording of Ahmad Jamal.” John Fordham, The Guardian
“The splendidly-monikered Alcyona on piano is absolutely riveting…the ensemble playing tight and faultless
throughout, the soloing by all inspired… a quintet of very special quality." Andrew Hawkey - Cambria Arts
"Alcyona is one of the most original and dynamic jazz musicians I have come across. She is an outstanding talent
who will undoubtedly become a leading voice in improvised music. Her compositional work is engaging and
extremely personal. She is a unique musician." Gerard Presencer