"as original as they come, listening to everyone but beholden to no single influence; Eales demands your attention with the force of his musical personality and keeps it with his musicianship" - Budd Kopman (Cadence USA)
On June 20th Geoff is Alyn Shipton's special guest on Jazz Record Requests which will be recorded live at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. He will be playing a couple of requests and talking about a jazz album that has a particular significance for him. Don't forget to get in touch with BBC Radio 3 if you have a favourite tune you'd like him to play, try to pop along if you live in the vicinity, or tune into Radio 3 at 5pm if you don't.
On August 9th ( lunchtime ) Geoff will be appearing at Ronnie Scott's with the fabulous chanteuse Jenny Howe and the trio in a show entitled "From Ella to Oscar" - a celebration of the legends of vocal and piano jazz.
Click on Engagements for a full list of Geoff's forthcoming gigs.
Geoff's new solo piano album Invocation on Nimbus Records ( NI6 287 ) has been garnering some excellent reviews since its release in November 2014. Below are a few quotes :
"He is an instinctive melodist with a lovely touch and refined technique, and builds his improvisations with an unerring sense of purpose."
Kenny Mathieson
The Scotsman (November 2014)
"With Invocation, Geoff Eales has shown another side to his musical personality in a solo piano recital that captivates from start to finish, and in doing so reveals a sharp mind, clear thinking, and a natural flair for melody, harmony and an intuitive sense of rhythm; and therefore comes highly recommended."
Nick Lea
Jazz Views (November 2014)
"Eales is a virtuoso player, with an impressionistic touch, and there is an eclecticism in his approach that doesn't get in the way too much but draws on classical inspirations, for instance Debussy and Ravel, as well as the more overt jazz side that even alights on the bebop of Charlie Parker on 'One Step From The EdgeStephen Graham
Marlbank (September 2014)
"Welsh pianist and composer Geoff Eales combines his love of contemporary classical music and jazz to wonderful effect on his latest album, calling on his years of experience and creativity."Keith Ames
The Musician (Winter 2014)
For full reviews of the album click Reviews.
On the following video clips Geoff talks about Invocation and plays a track from the album.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI2tFJZJB2I (Geoff Eales discusses 'Invocation')
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv6A0iaP5sc (Geoff Eales performs 'Yearning')
Please visit www.jazzviews.net to read Nick Lea's recent interview with Geoff.
Invocation is available from www.wyastone.co.uk and www.amazon.co.uk. Alternatively you can send a cheque for £10 ( inc p+p ) made payable to Geoff Eales to the following address: 47 Howard Close New Southgate London N11 1EH.
Check out Geoff's new work for solo alto saxophone - "She Cries She Dances" - commissioned by Simon Haram. It appears on Simon's new solo album "Mono'Dia" on John Harle's Sospiro label along with works by John Adams, Graham Fitkin and others.
The festival season will soon be upon us. Geoff will be appearing at several summer festivals this year. To date the following have been confirmed: Haslemere, Swansea and Llandeilo. Check soon for full details and confirmation of new dates.