Simon Purcell With Special Guest Christian Brewer

Probably best known these days as Head of Jazz at Trinity-Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, pianist Simon Purcell has performance credits as leader and sideman dating back to the mid 1980’s, including appearances with the likes of Red Rodney, Kenny Wheeler, Eddie Henderson, Stan Sulzmann, Jean Toussaint and Julian Arguelles. During the late 80’s and early 90’s Simon’s fluent and inventive playing could be heard with a wide variety of artists, including recordings made with singers Cleveland Watkiss (Green Chimneys) and Anita Wardell (Women have Standards). His own bands, which sadly have remained unrecorded, have included the likes of UK artists Julian Arguelles, Christine Tobin and Steve Watts. As well as a performer of some skill and invention, Simon is also a very well established and highly respected educator. Between 1987 and 2005 he was professor of jazz piano and improvisation at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and was appointed Head of Jazz at Trinity College of Music in September 2005. As well as all that he also co-directed the Glamorgan Jazz Summer School (formerly the Barry Summer School) and in between times, has acted as a consultant to Birmingham Conservatoire, been educational director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland and in 2006, received the prestigious Parliamentary Jazz Award for Jazz Educationalist of the Year. The quartet that Simon leads tonight will also feature the wonderfully fluent playing of alto saxophonist Christian Brewer.

“…gifted contemporary jazz pianist Simon Purcell.” Time Out