Louise Balkwill: Quicke Cheddar, Caws Cenarth, St Giles, and Non-Alcoholic Wine
THIS EPISODE: We talked about Louise's influences, her love of New Orleans and the "Sit-in" culture that stands there. We talk about our new healthy lifestyle, Mental health and the importance of great musical relationships, among other things!
Louise Balkwill:
Louise Balkwill is a jazz singer living and performing in London. She was born in Tooting and raised in Leicester by her hard working single mum of three, Vanessa, who encouraged and inspired her to pursue her interest in music from a very early age. Born into a family of musicians, Louise has never been short of inspiration and was raised as a multi instrumentalist before turning her interests to singing at the age of 16.
Louise formed her first jazz ensemble at the age of 17 and later obtained a scholarship at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
"Totally bowled over by Louise Balkwill’s incredible vocals and engaging stage presence"- Sarah Chaplin, Jazzwise Magazine, 2015
Since moving to London in September 2012, Louise has had the pleasure of learning from and working with musicians such as Leroy Jones, Barry Harris, Pete Churchill, Trudy Kerr, Brigette Beraha, Malcolm Earle-Smith, Ofer Landsberg, Simon Purcell, Liane Carroll, Sophie Bancroft, Sara Colman, Barry Green, Tina May, Nia Lynn, Anita Wardell, Nick Weldon, Martin Speake and Phil Peskett.
Louise has performed in top venues all over London, such as Pizza Express Jazz Club, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, 606 Club, The Archduke, Charlie Wright's and Oliver's Jazz Bar to name a few. In addition to her UK ventures, Louise has performed overseas and has won the hearts of audiences in New York, New Orleans, Japan and all over Europe alongside household names such as Kermit Ruffins, Leroy Jones and Michael Kanan. Louise collaborates with trumpet prodigy Tim Quicke, with whom she can be found singing and playing in venues in London and beyond.
Currently, Louise directs and sings with The Old Jelly Rollers, a New Orleans style second line band that she founded in 2016 whilst in her final year of studies at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. The group maintain an exciting blog and education resource that illustrates their pilgrimage to New Orleans and features interviews with some of the most celebrated jazz musicians in the western world.
https://www.louisebalkwill.com/
https://theoldjellyrollers.com/
Giles Thornton:
Giles is a composer/arranger based in London who has recently worked with as an arranger and musical supervisor for “Adventures In The American Songbook”, performed by postgraduate vocal studies students from the Guildhall School Of Music And Drama . He has also worked as in the music team for the Heritage Orchestra BBC Prom “New York: Sound Of A City”. Recently graduating from Guildhall School Of Music And Drama, studying Jazz Composition and Arranging, Giles released his debut big band album, "Be In Today" in July 2018.
Giles’ original compositions are influenced by Vince Mendoza, Maria Schneider, Gill Evans and Mike Walker, among others.
He has performed in prestigious venues , such as The Royal Albert Hall, Sadler’s Wells, LSO St Lukes, Milton Court Concert Hall and The Barbican Hall.
Giles has worked with many artists, such as Jules Buckley, James McMillan, Liane Carroll and Evan Jolly, among others.
https://www.gilesthorntonmusic.com/bio
https://open.spotify.com/album/2EqLKK40CAJc1eZ8uwxrtZ?si=-4TSuIPKQlCc14zj3bAn6Q
