"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)
A NOTE FROM GEOFF
Hi everyone and thanks for dropping by.
As we approach the end of the year, it's an ideal time to sit back and reflect on some of the successes of 2025.
I am now fully settled in my new life in South Wales, though I still enjoy the occasional foray into the land of the old enemy. In particular I'm thinking of the wonderful midsummer launch party for the Maggie Nicols/Geoff Eales album "Beautiful Love" at Café Oto in Dalston. Here, Ashley John Long and Sophie Alloway were our partners in crime. The CD has been attracting some nice reviews. I'd like to single out Andy Robson of Jazzwise and Sammy Klein for their generous and insightful words.
It was great to return to Sevenoaks for their music festival. The Ship Theatre is a lovely venue with a glorious piano. Thank you John Levett for inviting me back.
I was delighted when the Brecon Jazz Festival asked me to perform with my trio again this year. In 2024 I was joined by two local world-class players, Ursula Harrison (bass) and Liz Exell (drums). This year my regular trio (Matt Ridley on bass and Sophie Alloway on drums) were featured at Christ College. The standing ovation at the end made all the hard work in writing new charts worthwhile and reminded me of similar successes at the Purcell Room all those many years ago.
My "Celtic Stories" concert (this time it was Matt and Liz in the trio) at the Fishguard Festival was a triumph too. And to complete a trio of festival gigs in Wales there was the Swansea Festival at the beginning of September. This time I flew solo.
When things are a little quiet for me on the jazz circuit I take comfort from the support I'm offered at Canton Uniting Church. Music plays a very important role in the services and since the Spring I've been commandeered by the director of music, Andrew Wilson-Dickson, to play the piano (and occasionally the organ) there. The church people are so kind and welcoming. In October I did a solo performance dedicated to the genius of Duke Ellington at the church in order to raise money for the Church Building Fund. I've written a couple of hymns for the church and I'm now in the middle of composing music for Psalm 121: "I lift up my eyes to the hills".
It's impossible to get bored here in Cardiff. I have a new thirst for composition with two works for solo violin and string orchestra recently finished and a Suite for Violin and Piano nearly complete. Then there's the Wedding Dance for Organ I composed last month which Andrew has kindly agreed to play at our wedding in April. Then of course there's the jazz tunes that I keep churning out. I'll be airing them in February at the Flute and Tankard with the phenomenal Yuri Goloubev on bass and the great Liz Exell on drums.
I look forward to seeing some of you in the coming months.
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year
Geoff (December 18th 2025)