Gwilym Simcock
Piano
Gwilym Simcock has made a name for himself as a pianist and composer on the European stage, switching effortlessly between jazz and classical music. Gwilym’s influences are highly diverse, ranging from jazz legends such as Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Jaco Pastorius, and Pat Metheny to classical composers such as Maurice Ravel, Henri Dutilleux, Béla Bartók, and Mark-Anthony Turnage. Though he is primarily a jazz artist, Gwilym has also composed for larger classical ensembles, combining through-composed elements with improvisation.
Gwilym has toured with top British and international jazz artists, including Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Lee Konitz, Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Bob Mintzer, and Bobby McFerrin. He is the co-leader of the Anglo-American supergroup The Impossible Gentlemen, alongside the British guitar legend Mike Walker, Steve Rodby, and Adam Nussbaum. He has toured with the classical virtuoso Nigel Kennedy. He is currently touring with Pat Metheny, Antonio Sánchez, and Linda Oh.
He has won prizes such as ‘Best Band’ at the Perrier Award, and ‘Rising Star’ at both the BBC Jazz Awards and the British Jazz Awards. He received his extensive musical training at the Trinity College of Music (London), the Chetham’s School of Music (Manchester) – where he studied classical piano, French horn, and composition – and the Royal Academy of Music (London), where he completed his jazz studies with the highest distinction and received the coveted ‘Principal’s Prize’ for exceptional achievements. Gwilym teaches jazz piano at the Royal Academy of Music.
