Biography of Dominic Alldis

Dominic Alldis began his musical career in 1985 as resident pianist at London's celebrated jazz and cabaret venue, Pizza on the Park. During a two-year residency he played opposite many of the world's leading jazz singer-pianists including Blossom Dearie, Dave Frishberg, Bob Dorough, Steve Ross and Sir Richard Rodney Bennett; as well as many celebrated jazz pianists including Dave McKenna, Roger Kellaway and Teddy Wilson. His pianistic influences include Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson and Erroll Garner, his vocal influences include Mel Torme, and Blossom Dearie and Shirley Horn.

He has played with many leading musicians on the British jazz scene including Tim Garland, Iain Ballamy, Stacy Kent, Claire Martin, Jonathan Gee and Alec Dankworth, and has earned a reputation for performing songs by great American songwriters as well as English songwriters Noel Coward, Ivor Novello, and Vivian Ellis. During the 80s he lived in Paris and acquired direct experience of the French chanson tradition, and also began performing the songs of Joseph Kosma, Francis Lai and Michel Legrand. Returning to England in the early 90s, he formed his own record label Canzona Music and recorded a series of vocal jazz albums dedicated to songs by Bill Evans, Noel Coward and Michel Legrand.

He is on the staff of the Royal Academy of Music where he teaches improvisation to both classical pianists and opera singers. He has written two highly successful books: "A Classical Approach to Jazz Piano Harmony" and "A Classical Approach to Jazz Piano Improvisation" both are published worldwide by Hal Leonard. In 2000 he was made an Honorary Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.

In 2001 he formed Music and Management Ltd., to explore the links between the world of music and business. He is now creating powerful musical experiences for executives as a way of discussing teamwork, leadership and creativity. His clients include major corporations and business schools. (www.musicandmanagement.com)

In 2003 he toured England and Scotland in a series of concert featuring music by French film composers. The octet brought together four jazz soloists and a string quartet. The tour was funded by the Arts Council of England. In 2004, he recorded a fourth album on Canzona Music - "Themes from French Cinema" featuring Iain Ballamy (saxes), Martin France (drums), Alec Dankworth (bass) and the Pavao Quartet.

www.dominicalldis.com