ABOUT

Biography

SIMON DEELEY Composer, Jazz Pianist 

Based in Wales UK 

 

NEW CREATIVE/CAREER FOCUS; 

Making composition the main focus of my creative output. And, getting my work recorded and videoed, plus, also getting some of my compositions arranged for larger ensembles including big bands. 

CURRENT PROJECT: new album promotion; working on the promotion/feature campaign for my new album -'String Rise  Azure Traces'- (released 28 March). This is the album that was due to come out last autumn but, for certain reasons, had to be rescheduled for release this spring. I also decided on a new title (note above) in the interim, (for anyone following the release progress). The album is made up of the seven compositions that I worked on through the first half of 2022. As planned it was recorded in August last year by a quartet headed by myself on piano & keyboards with three of the finest  performers on the current Welsh jazz scene, guitarist James Kilby Chadwick, bassist  Aidan Thorne and drummer Mark O'Connor. Our memorable summer session was at Stiwdio Felin Fach, Abergavenny, Wales. 

Listen/Download Album -/music 

Read - Album info/biog - /string-rise-azure-traces

COMPOSITIONAL/WRITING STYLE 

My writing covers four main genres: Jazz-Fusion, Latin-Jazz, Ballad Form and Atmospheric Cinematic (Film Style) work. And so, you will hear across the four albums of my compositions, recorded to date - groove-driven, blues-infused Jazz-Fusion tracks, vibrant, high-charged Latin-Jazz,  reflective, evocative Ballads and atmospheric, mood setting Film Style pieces. 

BIOGRAPHY

Simon grew up in the North Worcestershire village of Clent Nr. Kidderminster, UK.

He started his musical studies with piano lessons at age seven. Up until his mid twenties, his studies were focused on classical music, however, alongside his classical work he always had an interest in jazz, blues and rock music. music. This strong interest (in these other styles) became an ever increasing passion and focus for him as a developing performer which, in his late twenties, culminated in him starting to work with jazz musicians on the Midlands scene, and going on to play at well known jazz clubs and music venues in the Birmingham and W. Midlands area. During his time on the Midlands scene he played alongside some of the best known and acclaimed players on the scene, then, including - Bryan Corbett, Casey Greene, Percy Pursglove, Steve Ajao, Chris Gumbley and Andy Derrick.

In 2000 Simon started the well known Jazz at the Bonded Warehouse club, which he ran continuously for sixteen years, and which, regularly, saw top Midlands players and nationally acclaimed artists performing there. 

Alongside his performing career Simon has continuously worked as a piano teacher. In this field, he has, for many years now, specialised in jazz and improvisation tuition, having some twenty years ago, devised his own course of development in this genre.

Simon's other important focus is on composition. Right from his earliest beginnings as a jazz performer, he has always composed and presented his own music. As his career has progressed composition has become an ever more important aspect of his creative output, so that, now, it is his most important focus.

Since his move to the Welsh Borders in 2014, his concentration has been on writing, which has resulted in the production of four albums and an EP of his music - Crossing Borders (2016), From the Blue Hills (2017), Afan's Dance (2019), Indigo Horizon EP (2021) and String Rise  Azure Traces (2023).   

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