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JASON REBELLO
In the late 1980’s British Jazz boomed. Jason Rebello a classically trained pianist known for his crisp suits and good looks was part of that scene. At just 21, his fluency and stylistic range was spotted by the great American saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter who took on the job of producing his debut album.
A Clearer View topped the Jazz FM chart for five months.
A Clearer View October 1990 Novus PD 90527
".....A Clearer View describes graceful crossover holding patterns, seeking not to challenge but to entertain. Rebello has created a series of compositions where he knows his musicians will be comfortable and can easily express themselves. It’s their shared values of craftsmanship that make this album work"
WIRE magazine November 1990
Rebello was voted Most Promising Newcomer of the Year for 1988 in Wire magazine and then picked up several major Jazz Awards including the prestigious Pat Smythe award and The Perrier British Jazz Awards. He was labeled a veteran by critics.
"At 21, he’s probably the most gifted and fluent pianist to emerge in Britain since Django Bates"
Neville Hadsley, Jazz FM October 1990
In 1992 Janet Street-Porter capitalised on his talents and asked him to present the youth programme Artrageous for BBC TV. Musically, Jason remained a popular attraction on the club circuit, and in 1992 he released the radically different Keeping Time featuring soul diva Jocelyn Brown and Oscar-nominated actress/singer Marianne Jean-Baptiste.
Keeping Time March 1993 Novus 74321 129042
"..It is a brave, open & lyrical record which sees Rebello, now 23, cast his net wider than the Herbie Hancock inspired jazz-fusion which characterised his debut”
Ekow Eshun OBSERVER April 93
Jason undertook a grueling schedule over the next couple of appearing with other notable artistes such as Bud Shank, Wayne Shorter, Gary Burton, Branford Marsallis, Tommy Smith, Jean Toussaint, Desree, Mica Paris, Carleen Anderson and Omar as well as promoting his own band. He also performed several classical concerts, appearing with the Nice Symphony Orchestra and the Halle Orchestra in 1995.
"...At the best of times Gershwin’s "Rhapsody in Blue" only hovers on classical music’s borders, but with Rebello as soloist it positively charges back into the world of Jazz. His was a brilliantly executed performance, technically faultless, overflowing with vitality, yet always imbued with a sense of relaxation."
Oldham Evening Chronicle September 1993
Make It Real July 1994 RCA 74321 224082 was Jason’s third and final album for BMG. Yet another radical change of direction from his previous work. A heady mix of jazz, latin, soul, gospel and hip-hop featuring the vocal talents of Incognito’s Maysa Leak and Joy Rose, also Cleveland Watkiss and the consequently chart-topping rapper with Faithless, Maxi Jazz. The album yielded the single Summertime, an inspirational re-working of the Gershwin original voted a KISS Classic by KISS FM listeners.
Yet another sell-out tour followed but a sense of urgency was in the air as rumours were confirmed that this tour was to be his last for a while. It was time to address other areas of his life which included spending a short period in a Buddhist monastery. Before his departure from the music scene however he released one more album on his own label with Joy Rose, just piano and voice.
Last Dance May 1995 All That Records 5017771103422
Two years later he returned to the stage for a sell-out solo/trio concert at the Southbank’s Purcell Room.
"...No one has ever doubted that Rebello is possessed of a great pianistic gift - His great technical strengths, delicacy of touch, fluency of execution, a burnished, pellucid tone had been easily and naturally harnessed in the service of a lyrical immediately attractive melody imbued with an affecting, faintly melancholic earnestness"
Chris Parker, ‘The Times’ January 1998
Now a richer, more mature performer, his return to the music world reflected a different approach to his career.
‘I would now like to be involved in helping fellow musicians to enjoy the success that I had, to put something back into the business.’
This has resulted in lecturing at various schools and music colleges including The Guildhall School of Music. Jason enjoys teaching and is involved on a regular basis at the Jazz Factory workshop at the Wiltshire Music Centre.
January 1999 found Jason in New York where he recorded his last album Next Time Round. A trio album featuring New York saxophonist Mark Turner, this album was again a departure from Jason’s previous work, returning him to his true jazz roots where he excels best. With talented British bassist, Orlando Le Fleming, it featured Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts veteran jazz drummer for the likes of Wynton Marsalis and piano legend and personal hero, Kenny Kirkland.
Next Time Round July 1999 ONION ONR1003
Coincidentally it was at this time that Jason was asked by Sting replace Kenny Kirkland in his band after his untimely death in 1998. Jason recorded on his grammy winning Brand New Day CD and spent 2 years on a sell out world tour. On the night of September 11 2001, Jason was part of the band that recorded the live DVD and CD All this Time at Sting’s home in Tuscany.
In 2003 Jason recorded Stings' latest DVD and CD Sacred Love and has just completed the 18 month ‘Sacred Love’ tour, which ended in February with a Tsunami Benefit concert in Perth, Australia.
After working with Sting, Jason wanted to reflect his life with two young children and made a CD of jazz versions of children's tunes titled "Jazz Rainbow". This proved to be very popular and paved the way for workshops and family concerts.
There was then some touring with legendary drummer Manu Katche and an appearance on Manu's latest album.
As well as working with guitar genius Jeff Beck, for the last three years, recording a Cd and a DVD and composing several tunes for it, Jason has worked with Madeline Peyreux, Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins.
Jason sums up his diverse career path with the following well known phrase : "It ain't what you play, it's the way that you play it!".
Jason lives in Wiltshire with his wife Justine and two sons George and Jacques.
"In terms of sheer ability and potential, Jason is probably the finest young jazz musician this country has produced. His playing has great poise and maturity,which is unusual in somebody so young."
Stuart Nicholson, author Jazz: The Modern Resurgence
Photo: Ross Halfin / Digital manipulation: Kazuyo Horie
Band Photo: Bill Reitzel
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