Gwilym Simcock. Pianist and composer Gwilym Simcock moves effortlessly between jazz and classical creating a sound that is very much his own, working with orchestras, choirs, big bands, small ensembles and musicians across the spectrum of music. His 2011 solo album 'Good Days at Schloss Elmau” (ACT) was described as "dazzlingly fresh", "world class", "stupendous", "phenomenal", "a cause for huge celebration".
Gwilym often appears on BBC Radio and TV in the UK. In 2018-9 he was Artist in Residence with the NDR Big Band in Hamburg. Since 2018 he has worked regularly with the LSO Percussion Ensemble with whom he recorded an album “Quartet, Quintet”. In 2021 he worked with the Swedish orchestra OModernt for whom he arranged and recorded “Milestones” based on the music of Miles Davis featuring trombonist Nils Landgren. In 2022 he was commissioned to write a new work “When Time Has Told” for the Stuttgarter Kammerorchester.
Emma Rawicz: Emma Rawicz is a multi-award winning young saxophonist and composer, making waves on the UK music scene and beyond She has been described as "An astonishing new talent" (Jamie Cullum – BBC Radio 2), 'a force to be reckoned with' (Jazzwise) and 'a fast-rising star' (London Jazz News). At the age of 21 she has already recorded and released an eagerly awaited debut album ‘Incantation’ , made up entirely of her original compositions. In April 2023 Emma signed to major European Jazz label ACT and Emma’s second album, Chroma, recorded in summer 2022 will be released by ACT in August 2023.
Emma has created a name for herself both as a bandleader and a sideman, regularly playing at major london venues as well as taking her band overseas. In November 2022 Emma performed as featured soloist with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Marcin Wasilewski Trio in their tribute to Tomasz Sta?ko. 2022 also saw Emma and her band invited to perform at a number of high profile international jazz festivals. Emma is a recipient of the 2021 Drake Yolanda Award, winner of ‘Best Newcomer’ at the 2022 Parliamentary Jazz Awards and nominee for the 2022 Jazz FM ‘Instrumentalist of the year and finalist in BBC Young Jazz Musician 2022.
