Huw Warren is a Welsh

jazz pianist Jazz piano is a collective term for the techniques pianists use when playing jazz. The piano has been an integral part of the jazz idiom since its inception, in both solo and ensemble settings. Its role is multifaceted due largely to the instru ...

and composer whose work crosses several genres. He is known as co-leader and founder of the jazz quartet

Perfect Houseplants Perfect commonly refers to: * Perfection, completeness, excellence * Perfect (grammar), a grammatical category in some languages Perfect may also refer to: Film * ''Perfect'' (1985 film), a romantic drama * ''Perfect'' (2018 film), a science ...

Career

Huw Warren was the co-leader and founder of the jazz quartet

, with

Mark Lockheart Mark Lockheart (born 31 March 1961) is a British jazz tenor saxophonist who was a member of the Loose Tubes big band during the 1980s. Career After the demise of Loose Tubes, Lockheart formed jazz/folk quartet Perfect Houseplants with Huw Warr ...

Dudley Phillips Dudley Phillips (7 April 1905 – 7 February 1953) was a South African cricketer. He played in five first-class matches for Border from 1924/25 to 1930/31. See also * List of Border representative cricketers This is a list of all crickete ...

, and

Martin France Martin France (born 1964) is one of the top jazz drummers in the UK. He has recorded on over 100 albums and is a Professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He is sponsored by Paiste cymbals Career France began performing at the age of ...

. Perfect Houseplants have recorded five albums for various labels (including the Scottish label

Linn Linn may refer to: People * Linn (surname) * Linn (given name) * Linn da Quebrada, stage name of Brazilian singer, actress, screenwriter and television personality Lina Pereira dos Santos (born 1990) Places Germany * Linn (Gangkofen), a part ...

) and produced collaborative projects with early music artists such as

Andrew Manze Andrew Manze (born 14 January 1965) is a British conductor and violinist living in Germany. Born in Beckenham, United Kingdom, Manze read Classics at Cambridge University. Manze studied violin and worked with Ton Koopman (his director in ...

Pamela Thorby Pamela may refer to: *''Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded'', a novel written by Samuel Richardson in 1740 *Pamela (name), a given name and, rarely, a surname *Pamela Spence, a Turkish pop-rock singer. Known as her stage name "Pamela" * MSC ''Pamela'', ...

, and the

Orlando Consort The Orlando Consort is a British vocal consort which is best known for performing Renaissance choral music one voice to a part. The Consort was founded in 1988 as part of the activities of the Early Music Network of Great Britain, a forerunner of th ...

. Warren has had a long and continuing collaboration with English singer

June Tabor June Tabor (born 31 December 1947 in Warwick, England) is an English folk singer known for her solo work and her earlier collaborations with Maddy Prior and with Oysterband. Early life June Tabor was born and grew up in Warwick, England. As ...

as her arranger and musical director. To date, they have recorded 10 albums, have toured worldwide, and produced large scale projects with the Creative Jazz orchestra and the

LPO Renga LPO may refer to: *Lipid peroxidation *LPO-50, a flamethrower built by the Soviet Union *Law practice optimization *Landing Page Optimization * Leading Petty Officer *Legal Process Outsourcing *Lexicographic path ordering, a well-ordering in term re ...

ensemble. Warren and Tabor were featured in Phillip King's ''Freedom Highway'' film and the ''Daughter's of Albion'' project recorded in 2009 by BBC Four. Between 1997 and 2005, Warren worked closely with UK jazz label Babel, who released five albums of his music. Warren arranged and produced a Welsh Hymn Project in 2004, ''Duw A Wyr'' (God only Knows) with singer Lleuwen Steffan, which received media exposure on radio and TV in Wales, including a S4C documentary about the making of the album. He has also worked extensively with partner

Maria Lamburn Maria Lamburn (Madalena, Maria Madalena, Galé Ritonic; Born November 26th, 1960) is a British composer and multi-instrumentalist whose philosophy of "Living Art", endures through her music and poetry (represented by songs in English and Welsh) ...

, co-producing 3 albums with her and setting up Maizeh Music. As the trio Quercus (with

and

Iain Ballamy Iain Ballamy (born 20 February 1964) is a British composer and saxophonist. He is considered one of the greatest modern jazz saxophonists. Career Ballamy was born in Guildford, Surrey, and educated at George Abbot School, Guildford, from 19 ...

) Warren has recorded 2 albums for ECM including co producing with the legendary

Manfred Eicher Manfred Eicher (born 9 July 1943) is a German record producer and the founder of ECM Records. Life and career Eicher was born in Lindau, Germany. He studied music at the Academy of Music in Berlin. He started as a double-bass player of classi ...

Quercus An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus ''Quercus'' (; Latin "oak tree") of the beech family, Fagaceae. There are approximately 500 extant species of oaks. The common name "oak" also appears in the names of species in related genera, notably ...

was released in 2013 and won the German Critics Album of the Year award. "Nightfall" was released in 2017. In 2018 Warren released a solo piano album Nocturnes and Visions on the Maizeh Music label. Recent collaborations with international musicians such as Mark Feldman,

Maria Pia de Vito Maria Pia De Vito is an Italian jazz singer, composer, and arranger. Career A native of Naples, Italy, she studied classical music, opera, and Italian folk music. In 1976 she performed folk songs as a singer, guitarist, and pianist. In 1980 she ...

, Peter Herbert,

Joanna MacGregor Joanna Clare MacGregor (born 16 July 1959) is a British concert pianist, conductor, composer, and festival curator. She is Head of Piano at the Royal Academy of Music and a professor of the University of London. She is currently artistic direc ...

Theo Bleckmann Theodor Raoul Bleckmann (born 28 May 1966) is a German singer and composer. Biography Bleckmann was born in Dortmund, West Germany. He planned to be an ice skater before becoming a vocalist. In 1989 he moved to New York City and recorded his ...

, and

Erik Truffaz Erik Truffaz (born 3 April 1960 in Chêne-Bougeries, Switzerland) is a French jazz trumpeter, infusing elements of hip hop, rock and roll and dance music into his compositions. Early life Truffaz was introduced to music by his father, a saxop ...

have brought Warren's music to a wider audience. His project Dialektos with Italian singer

has resulted in 2 recordings (Dialektos and O Pata Pata) and collaborations/performances with musicians such as

Gabriele Mirabassi Gabriele Mirabassi is an Italian jazz clarinetist. Career He was born in Perugia and is a graduate of the Morlacchi Conservatory. His teacher told him avoid playing jazz because it would damage his technique, so at home he learned jazz on the ...

Ralph Towner Ralph Towner (born March 1, 1940) is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and bandleader. He plays the twelve-string guitar, classical guitar, piano, synthesizer, percussion, trumpet and French horn. Biography Towner was born i ...

, and

RA Ramamani Ra (; egy, rꜥ; also transliterated ; cuneiform: ''ri-a'' or ''ri-ia''; Phoenician: 𐤓𐤏, CIS I 3778 romanized: rʿ) or Re (; cop, ⲣⲏ, translit=Rē) was the ancient Egyptian deity of the sun. By the Fifth Dynasty, in the 25th ...

. In 2019, Warren released 2 albums for the Italian label CAM Jazzincluding a new trio album "Everything in Between" with Dudley Phillips and Zoot Warren, and a live duo "New Day" with saxophonist

Warren has performed and recorded with many of the UK's finest jazz musicians, including

Kenny Wheeler Kenneth Vincent John Wheeler, OC (14 January 1930 – 18 September 2014) was a Canadian composer and trumpet and flugelhorn player, based in the U.K. from the 1950s onwards. Most of his performances were rooted in jazz, but he was also active i ...

Loose Tubes Loose Tubes were a British jazz big band/orchestra active during the mid-to-late 1980s. Critically and popularly acclaimed, the band was considered to be the focal point of a 1980s renaissance in British jazz. It was the main launchpad for the ...

, Steve Arguelles,

Julian Arguelles Julian may refer to: People * Julian (emperor) (331–363), Roman emperor from 361 to 363 * Julian (Rome), referring to the Roman gens Julia, with imperial dynasty offshoots * Saint Julian (disambiguation), several Christian saints * Julian (giv ...

, Billy Jenkins,

John Parricelli John Parricelli (born 5 April 1959 in Evesham, Wychavon, Worcestershire, England) is a jazz guitarist who has worked mainly in the United Kingdom. Parricelli began his career as a guitarist in 1982. He was one of the founding members of the Brit ...

John Etheridge John Michael Glyn Etheridge (born 12 January 1948) is an English jazz fusion guitarist, composer, bandleader and educator known for his eclecticism and broad range of associations in jazz, classical, and contemporary music. He is best known f ...

, Christine Tobin,

Tim Garland Tim Garland (born 19 October 1966) is a British jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. His compositions draw from modern jazz and classical concert music. Career Garland was born in Ilford, Essex and grew up in Canterbury, Kent. He starte ...

, Scott Stroman,

Antonio Forcione Antonio Forcione is an Italian jazz guitarist. His 2000 album ''Live!'' was recorded at The Vortex in London. He also recorded a duet album with bassist Charlie Haden – ''Heartplay''. Biography Forcione grew up on the Adriatic coast of the Mo ...

, and Brian Abrahams' District Six. Warren has also worked with Billy Bragg, Elvis Costello,

Eddi Reader Sadenia "Eddi" Reader MBE (born 29 August 1959) is a Scottish singer-songwriter, known for her work as frontwoman of Fairground Attraction and for an enduring solo career. She is the recipient of three BRIT Awards. In 2003, she showcased the w ...

Echobelly Echobelly are a British rock band, debuting in 1994 with their album '' Everyone's Got One''. They were often compared to Blondie and The Smiths; Morrissey becoming a fan of the group. The most prominent part of Echobelly's success formula wa ...

Christine Collister Christine Collister (born 28 December 1961) is a Manx folk, blues and jazz singer-songwriter. She was born and grew up on the Isle of Man and first came to public attention in 1986 as the singer of the theme song for the BBC's television adapt ...

, and the

Audio Bullys Audio Bullys are an English electronic music project, originally consisting of Simon Franks and Tom Dinsdale. The group were once managed by the DJ and presenter George Lamb. Franks and Dinsdale released their debut album ''Ego War'' in 2003, ...

. Warren has also recorded film scores for

Colin Towns Colin William Towns (born 13 May 1948 in West Ham, London) is an English composer and keyboardist. He was noted for playing in bands formed by ex-Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan, and later worked extensively in composing soundtracks for film, telev ...

Stephen Warbeck Stephen Warbeck (born 21 October 1953) is an English composer, best known for his film and television scores. Warbeck was born in Southampton, Hampshire. He first became known for the music for ''Prime Suspect'' and won an Oscar for his score fo ...

and Mike Gibbs. Recent projects have also seen Warren working with artists from a number of different fields including: * ''Brace'' (2009) with Choreographer Chloe Loftus * ''Coloured Gloves'' (2009) with artist Catrin Williams * ''ACES Residency, Aberdeen'' (2011) with sculptor Helen Dennerly, writer Esther Woolfson, and artists Dalziel and Scullion * ''Closure'' (2012) documenting a rural Welsh community with photographer David Woodfall and video artist Greg Byatt

Education

Warren has worked as a piano and composition teacher in the Jazz departments at Royal Academy of Music,

Guildhall School of Music and Drama The Guildhall School of Music and Drama is a conservatoire and drama school located in the City of London, United Kingdom. Established in 1880, the school offers undergraduate and postgraduate training in all aspects of classical music and jazz ...

, London, and led many workshops and specialist music education programs. He is currently visiting professor of Jazz Piano at the

Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama , image_name = Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.jpg , image_size = , motto = , established = 1949 , type = Public , staff = , vice_chancellor = , students = 779 (2017/18) , undergrad ...

in Cardiff, Head of Jazz Ensembles at Cardiff University. Piano tutor at the

summer school, and faculty member at JIMS in Salzburg. He has also written and arranged the

ABRSM The ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) is an examination board and registered charity based in the United Kingdom. ABRSM is one of five examination boards accredited by Ofqual to award graded exams and diploma qualification ...

jazz syllabus.

Commissions

1997: ''Swing Fun/Yokate'' commissioned by the ABRSM for their Jazz Piano exam syllabus. (solo piano) 1997: ''Caterpillar'' commissioned by Curiad, for the school's songbook ''Cantabile'' – contemporary songs by living Welsh composers. (voice and piano) 1998: ''Riot'' commissioned by

Piano Circus Piano Circus is a musical ensemble consisting of six pianists. The original six-piano ensemble formed in 1989 to perform Steve Reich's ''Six Pianos''. Founding members included Kirsteen Davidson-Kelly, Richard Harris, Kate Heath, Max Richter, ...

with funds from the Arts Council of England. (6 pianos) 1998: ''A Quiet Eye'' new arrangements and compositions for June Tabor and a large ensemble commissioned by the Creative Jazz Orchestra with funds from the National Lottery. (voice, piano, viola, 5 brass, 3 reeds) 1998, Nov: ''Steamboat Bill Jnr'' new score for classic Buster Keaton movie commissioned by Birmingham Jazz for performance at Birmingham International Film and TV Festival (guitar, piano, saxophone, bass, percussion) 1999, Mar: ''Take the Fire'' score for new adaptation of Jean Cocteau monologues at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. Performed by actress Amanda Harris and commissioned by TOYE productions. (solo piano) 1999, Nov: ''New Folk Songs'' suite of pieces for contemporary Jazz ensemble, based on traditional music from East Anglia, commissioned by Andrew Milne award/Eastern Arts for performances by Perfect Houseplants. 1999: ''Left a Bit'' new music for piano and two percussionists/electronics commissioned by Eccentric Management with funds from the Arts Council of England for performance in Berlin and England. 2000: ''Lullaby, Exit, Bear'' for 13 piece ensemble commissioned by

RSC RSC may refer to: Arts * Royal Shakespeare Company, a British theatre company * Reduced Shakespeare Company, a touring American acting troupe * Richmondshire Subscription Concerts, a music society in Richmond, North Yorkshire, England * Rock Ste ...

millennium project. 2001: ''Shout/Greens'' commissioned by the ABRSM for the Jazz Horns syllabus 2001: ''Still Hearing You'' arrangement for the Palladium ensemble as an encore piece (recorder, violin, viola da gamba, and theorbo) 2002: ''I am the Song'' commissioned by Tauntons Sixth form college choir (Southampton), and performed at the National Festival of Music for Youth at the Royal Festival Hall. 2003: ''Railway Mania'' commissioned by the

Scottish Chamber Orchestra The Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) is an Edinburgh-based UK chamber orchestra. One of Scotland's five National Performing Arts Companies, the SCO performs throughout Scotland, including annual tours of the Scottish Highlands and Islands and S ...

, for performance in October 2004. (children's choir and mixed ensemble) 2004: ''Tangled''. New piece for Tango Siempre, commissioned by Corsham Music Festival, Wiltshire. (violin, accordion, double bass, piano) 2005: ''Soldier, Shepherd, Sailor''. June Tabor and The LPO Renga Ensemble. 2005: ''New Welsh Stories''. Big Band suite, commissioned by Cerdd William Mathias, with funds made available from the PRS Foundation. 2006: ''This is Now!''. Multi-media work for Orchestra Helclecs, featuring John Parricelli, Lleuwen Steffan and Nobsta Nuts. Funded by the Arts Council of Wales 'Creative Wales' Award. 2006: ''Strung Out''. Double violin concerto, Welsh Chamber Orchestra and Beaumaris Festival/PRSF. 2006: ''In the Beginning/Slippery''. Welsh Jazz Composers Orchestra/ACW. 2006: ''Gower Boy'' (film with Gee Vaucher) Vortex Jazz/Babel label 2007: ''Solo piano pieces'' KPM/Galapogos 2007: ''Open''. Piano piece for Elena Riu and Boosey & Hawkes. This piece was included in the 2013/2014 ABRSM Grade 6 syllabus. 2008: ''Brace''. Dance collaboration with Choreographer Chloe Loftus (prsf new steps in music) 2009: ''Hermeto... Jazz/Art Project''. Collaboration with artist Catrin Williams at Galeri Caernarfon. 2010: ''The Brecon Project''. Collaboration with Erik Truffaz, Sura Susso, Paula Gardiner. and Simon Thorne. Performed at Brecon Jazz, 2010. 2010: ''Tilt''. Commissioned by classical jazz mixed ensemble "New Perspectives". First performance at Leasowes Bank Arts Festival, July 2011 2011: ''Gladrags''. Big band/large jazz ensemble, commissioned by Farnham Festival 2011.

Discography

''Nocturnes and Visions'' Maizeh Music 2018 Solo Piano 'Nightfall'' (ECM Records) Quercus 2017 (trio including

and

) ''Core/coracao'' Maria Pia de Vito with special guest Chico Buarque ''

'' (ECM Records) Quercus 2013 ''O Pata Pata'' (Maria Pia de Vito/Ralph Towner) 2011 ''Ashore'' (June Tabor) 2011 ''Hermeto + 2009'' (Basho) ''Dialektos'' – Maria Pia de Vito and Huw Warren 2008 (Parco Della Musica) ''Everything We Love and More'' – Huw Warren and Peter Herbert 2006 (Babel) ''Brillanza'' – Waltraud Koettler, Huw Warren, Peter Herbert 2007 (Extraplatte) ''Duw a Wyr'' – Huw Warren and Lleuwen Steffan – 2005 (Sain/Babel) ''100's of Things a Boy Can Make'' – with Mark Feldman 2003 (Babel) ''Infinite Riches in a Little Room'' – solo piano 2001 (Babel) ''A Barrel Organ Far from Home'' – mixed ensemble1997 (Babel) ''Perfect Houseplants'' – Perfect Houseplants AH UM (1992) ''Clec'' – Perfect Houseplants −1994 (EFZ) ''Snap Clatter'' – Perfect Houseplants 1997 (Linn) ''New Folk Songs'' – Perfect Houseplants 2000 (Linn) ''Extempore'' – Perfect Houseplants+The Orlando Consort 1999 (Linn) ''Extempore 2'' – Perfect Houseplants+The Orlando Consort 2002 (Harmonia Mundi USA) ''Pulse'' -Huw Warren/Peter Whyman/Peter Fairclough 2004 (FMR) ''Murmur'' – Madalena 2005 (Babel) ''A Quiet Eye'' – June Tabor 2000 (topic) ''An Echo of Hooves – ''June Tabor 2004 (topic) ''Busy Listening'' -Steve Arguelles Quintet– 1998 (Babel) ''East Meets West'' – Billy Jenkins' Voice of God Collective+Fun Horns of Berlin 1998 (Babel)

Radio

Warren did live broadcasts for Radio 3, including duos with Peter Herbert and

. Warren performed in another live special,

Late Junction ''Late Junction'' is a music programme broadcast weekly on Friday nights by BBC Radio 3. Billed as "Experimental music for adventurous listeners.", the programme has a wide musical scope. It is not uncommon to hear medieval ballads juxtaposed wi ...

, with June Tabor, as well as the Radio 3 60th anniversary concert with

. Other live performances include: The Radio Wales Arts Show special interview with Nichola Heywood Thomas,

10th anniversary live special (2010), and Hermeto+ live for Jazz on 3 (2010) with

, and

TV

Warren appeared in the BBC4 Sessions with

, and later with Jools Holland in the S4C Documentary (Sioe Celf) about the making of ''Duw y Wyr'' with Lleuwen Steffan. Warren also appeared in the

Brecon Jazz Festival The Brecon Jazz Festival is a music festival held annually in Brecon, Wales. Normally staged in early August, it has played host to a range of jazz musicians from across the world. Created in 1984 by local enthusiasts – musicians, promoters a ...

(2006), a BBC4 documentary "Jazz Pianists", as well as a S4C 25th anniversary program about Brecon Jazz in 2007.

References

External links

Huw Warren Official site

Huw Warren biography from BBC Wales
{{DEFAULTSORT:Warren, Huw Living people Alumni of Goldsmiths, University of London Alumni of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama British jazz pianists Welsh jazz pianists 1962 births 21st-century pianists