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[Listen to Neil Cowley in the Nextplayer]
As a 10 year old child prodigy, London-born Neil Cowley performed a Shostakovich piano concerto to a full house at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, yet he turned his back on the Royal Academy at an early age. Instead, having answered an ad in Melody Maker at 17, he entered the world of pop.
Cowley went on to record and tour with some of the best soul and funk bands of the day, including Gabrielle, The Pasadenas, 4 years with the Brand New Heavies, and Zero 7, until in 2002 he formed his own band, Fragile State.
As one half of the Fragile State production duo, Cowley produced two critically acclaimed albums that set the world of jazzy chill-out music alight. When the record company dissolved, Cowley continued to make music, yet began to find the experience of extracting music from a computer chip unbearable. So, he set forth with his dear friend the piano and a renewed enthusiasm to present creativity without technological hindrance. Cowley began composing and eventually realised a long-standing vision, and formed a jazz trio with Richard Sadler on double bass, and Evan Jenkins on drums.
In June 2006 Cowley formed his own label, Hide Inside Records, and released his debut album Displaced, an outstanding album of original recordings. The album presented Cowley as a dazzling pianist and stunning composer. The trio swiftly became known for their (now trademark) energetic and forceful melodies, catchy hooks, soulful moments and thrilling climaxes. The album was released to huge critical acclaim, and won the award for Best Album at the 2007 BBC JAZZ AWARDS.
In support of Displaced, The Neil Cowley Trio undertook their first UK tour in February 2007. Known for their remarkable rapport with their audience, helped by Cowley's often hilarious and always amusing chat, the trio’s captivating and exciting live shows led many shows on their tour attract full houses and standing ovations.
In the summer of 2007, The trio returned to Real World Studios (where their debut was recorded) and laid down tracks for the their follow-up album, Loud..Louder...Stop! released in March 2008 on the new indie jazz label, Cake.
