Rob Reynolds (musician)
Encyclopedia
Rob Reynolds is a singer/songwriter and recording artist. He plays acoustic/electric guitar, lap steel, dobro steel, harmonica, bass and keyboards.
, to Iris May (née Cowper) a nurse and Robert Reynolds, RSPCA Inspector, he has two older brothers, Steve Reynolds, head of drama at, Li Po Chun United World College
, Hong Kong
, and Paul Reynolds, programme leader in Sociology and Social Psychology, at Edge Hill University
, Ormskirk
, Lancashire
. The family moved around a lot with his father's work and eventually settled when Rob was 2 years old in Harrogate
, North Yorkshire
. He attended Rossett High School.
At the age of 15 he started singing blues and jazz in local venues, formed Burt Reynolds and the Boardwalkers and joined various other bands. He started learning the guitar at 16 which gave him the ability to write his own material.
When his father died in August 1993, he felt the need to leave town, and so he moved to London in early 1994.
Rob soon found a manager in the form of veteran, Carl Miller, who'd been Cat Stevens
personal manager and started on his first project when Carl introduced him to Alvin Gibbs of punk veterans UK Subs
, through Carl and Alvin, Rob came to the attention of then-fledgling London based Indie record company, Invisible Hands Music
.
Initially signed in 1995 to a development deal, IHM put Rob out on the road supporting Midge Ure
for 8 months and followed that with shows with Procul Harum, Big Joe Turner
, China Crisis
and Errol Brown
, he recorded some early demo's with a band that included drummer Chuck Sabo (Natalie Imbruglia
), It Bites
keyboard player John Beck
, produced by Dexy's Midnight Runners bassist Nigel Ross-Scott.
The debut album, Waiting for the Tide, was recorded in the summer of 1996 at Jacob's Studios in Farnham, Surrey with an all-star cast featuring drummer Darren Mooney from Primal Scream
, bassist Jon Noyce from Jethro Tull
, keyboard player Reg Webb of Lenny Kravitz
and produced by ace guitarist Greg Bone (Seal
, Sting, Take That
) and sound engineer Robin Black
, Wings
, The Who
, and Pink Floyd
.
The first single was a cover of the Harold Arlen
and Ted Koehler
jazz standard "Stormy Weather" (the only cover on Waiting For The Tide).
It received the Single Of The Week accolade by Jazz FM
.
On the release of single "Take It Easy" Rob continued traveling the length and breadth of the country performing live sessions on dozens of BBC and ILR stations and was invited to launch the nation's newest terrestrial television network Channel 5 with its first afternoon show Five's Company, hosted by nick Knowles
.
2000s
A period of writing and touring followed, which resulted in the release in 2000 of a self produced seven-track mini-album entitled Samsara Never Sleeps, recorded at Skyline Studios Epsom. It was met with critical acclaim and respected UK music monthly Mojo Magazine made Samara Never Sleeps one of their four 'Critics Choice' for the month, and the album sold well across the world.
After a period of experimental recording for a label in Germany, which included sessions with the Munich Symphony Orchestra
and some 5.1 Surround mixes, Rob returned to London in the autumn of 2002 and set about recording his third album, Sightseeing.
Sightseeing saw Rob hit his peak as a singer, writer and producer, bringing together his rocking live band and a host of top guest's including, guitarist Steve Harris
(Gary Numan
), keyboard player Richard Cottle (Seal
), and percussionist Miles Bould (Sting).
The first single, "Sweet Mother", hit the airwaves in July, staying on the BBC Radio 2
playlist for an astonishing five weeks; and Radio 2 invited Rob to perform two tracks live to a massive radio audience as part of their Great British Music Debate. Regional radio was equally enthusiastic, racking up over 40 playlists, including PBS106.7FM.
In Europe the single was A listed by Holland and Belgium's equivalent of Radio 1.
2004 saw Rob begin the year with a tour of radio stations around the country. March 31 heralded the start of a whirlwind and successful tour with Hazel O'Connor
, taking him around the UK and The Netherlands.
In February 2005 Reynolds played on the 'Best of British' stage at MIDEM
in Cannes
, France
, in June Rob dueted on Hazel O'Connor
's Hidden Heart album.
He then twice toured Canada
, during which included showcases at Canada Music Week on the first tour and in the second tour playing at NXNE. Later in the year he then played two sets at the Glastonbury Festival
and won the Baltic Song Contest for England in Malmo
.
During the year he also opened for other acts including: Paul Carrack
, Amos Lee
and Arthur Lee
and Love.
In 2006 Rob released his fourth album, a compilation of his work to date entitled The Curious World, drawn from his three studio albums.
He then returned to Canada in 2007 to play NXNE, and tour with Hugh Cornwell
from The Stranglers
which would take him from Toronto
to Montreal
. Reynolds then went straight to Winnipeg
to embark on his 5th album 'Coming Home', with Multi Juno
award winning producer Brandon Friesen
.
2008 and Reynolds's long time friend and producer Tom Jackson in Switzerland, asks him to co-write the melodies and lyrics for a German Band called Rauschhardt, they recorded the songs in Hanover and Berlin and the album is to be released in 2010, Guitarist Tom Rauschhardt; bass player Jacki Reznicek; drummer Sebastian Reznicek and keyboard player Christoph von Haniel.
2009. This year Rob completed the album ‘Coming Home’. Rob also made guest appearances on two songs with dance producer Boyan, and a duet with 70s psycho rockers Wally on their first album in 30 years. He played over 200 shows, including a French music festival in August, Rochefort Accords, where he performed with Piers Faccini and the legendary slide player BJ Cole, vibraphone player Roger Beaujolais and Rob Arnos on sax.
Early life
Reynolds was born 5 December 1967, at Portsmouth, HampshireHampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, to Iris May (née Cowper) a nurse and Robert Reynolds, RSPCA Inspector, he has two older brothers, Steve Reynolds, head of drama at, Li Po Chun United World College
Li Po Chun United World College
Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong , established in 1992, is a sixth-form college in Hong Kong. It is a member of the United World Colleges....
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, and Paul Reynolds, programme leader in Sociology and Social Psychology, at Edge Hill University
Edge Hill University
Edge Hill University is situated in Ormskirk, Lancashire, England. It has three faculties: Education, Health and Social Care, and Arts and Sciences.- History :...
, Ormskirk
Ormskirk
Ormskirk is a market town in West Lancashire, England. It is situated north of Liverpool city centre, northwest of St Helens, southeast of Southport and southwest of Preston.-Geography and administration:...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. The family moved around a lot with his father's work and eventually settled when Rob was 2 years old in Harrogate
Harrogate
Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and Betty's Tea Rooms. From the town one can explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. Harrogate originated in the 17th...
, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
. He attended Rossett High School.
At the age of 15 he started singing blues and jazz in local venues, formed Burt Reynolds and the Boardwalkers and joined various other bands. He started learning the guitar at 16 which gave him the ability to write his own material.
When his father died in August 1993, he felt the need to leave town, and so he moved to London in early 1994.
The career years
1990sRob soon found a manager in the form of veteran, Carl Miller, who'd been Cat Stevens
Cat Stevens
Yusuf Islam , commonly known by his former stage name Cat Stevens, is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, educator, philanthropist, and prominent convert to Islam....
personal manager and started on his first project when Carl introduced him to Alvin Gibbs of punk veterans UK Subs
UK Subs
The U.K. Subs are an English punk rock band, among the earliest in the first wave of British punk. Formed in 1976, the mainstay of the band has been vocalist Charlie Harper, originally a singer in Britain's R&B scene. They were also one of the first street punk bands.-Career:The U.K...
, through Carl and Alvin, Rob came to the attention of then-fledgling London based Indie record company, Invisible Hands Music
Invisible Hands Music
Invisible Hands Music is an independent record label based in London's Camden Town neighbourhood. The label was founded by musician Charles Kennedy. The company name first appeared on cassettes sold at gigs by Kennedy's first band Night World in 1987. The first CD release was Fretwork Southeast, a...
.
Initially signed in 1995 to a development deal, IHM put Rob out on the road supporting Midge Ure
Midge Ure
James "Midge" Ure, OBE is a Scottish guitarist, singer, keyboard player, and songwriter...
for 8 months and followed that with shows with Procul Harum, Big Joe Turner
Big Joe Turner
Big Joe Turner was an American blues shouter from Kansas City, Missouri. According to the songwriter Doc Pomus, "Rock and roll would have never happened without him." Although he came to his greatest fame in the 1950s with his pioneering rock and roll recordings, particularly "Shake, Rattle and...
, China Crisis
China Crisis
China Crisis is an English pop/rock band. They were formed in 1979 in Kirkby, near Liverpool, Merseyside with a core of vocalist/keyboardist Gary Daly and guitarist Eddie Lundon...
and Errol Brown
Errol Brown
Errol Brown MBE is a singer and songwriter, best known as the frontman of Hot Chocolate. He has British citizenship by marriage to Ginette and they live in The Bahamas...
, he recorded some early demo's with a band that included drummer Chuck Sabo (Natalie Imbruglia
Natalie Imbruglia
Natalie Jane Imbruglia is an Australian singer-songwriter, model and actress. In the early 1990s, Imbruglia was known to audiences as Beth Brennan in the popular Australian soap Neighbours. Three years after leaving the programme, Imbruglia launched a singing career with the international hit,...
), It Bites
It Bites
It Bites are an English progressive rock and pop fusion band, formed in Egremont, Cumbria, England in 1982 and best known for their 1986 single "Calling All The Heroes", which gained them a Top 10 UK Singles Chart hit...
keyboard player John Beck
John Beck
John Dalton Beck is an American football quarterback starting for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
, produced by Dexy's Midnight Runners bassist Nigel Ross-Scott.
The debut album, Waiting for the Tide, was recorded in the summer of 1996 at Jacob's Studios in Farnham, Surrey with an all-star cast featuring drummer Darren Mooney from Primal Scream
Primal Scream
Primal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
, bassist Jon Noyce from Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
, keyboard player Reg Webb of Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz
Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
and produced by ace guitarist Greg Bone (Seal
Seal (musician)
Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel , known simply as Seal, is a British soul and R&B singer-songwriter, of Nigerian and Brazilian background. Seal has won numerous music awards throughout his career, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male in 1992, four Grammy Awards, and an...
, Sting, Take That
Take That
Take That are a British five-piece vocal pop group comprising Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Barlow acts as the lead singer and primary songwriter...
) and sound engineer Robin Black
Robin Black
Robin Black is a Canadian glam rock band, originally known as Robin Black and the Intergalactic Rock Stars, formed in 1998. The band's lead singer also uses Robin Black as his stage name.-History:...
, Wings
Wings (band)
Wings were a British-American rock group formed in 1971 by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney that remained active until 1981....
, The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
, and Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
.
The first single was a cover of the Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen
Harold Arlen was an American composer of popular music, having written over 500 songs, a number of which have become known the world over. In addition to composing the songs for The Wizard of Oz, including the classic 1938 song, "Over the Rainbow,” Arlen is a highly regarded contributor to the...
and Ted Koehler
Ted Koehler
Ted L. Koehler was an American lyricist.-Life and career:Koehler was born in Washington, D.C. He started out as a photo-engraver but was attracted to the music business, where he started out as a theater pianist for silent films. He moved on to write for vaudeville shows and Broadway, and he also...
jazz standard "Stormy Weather" (the only cover on Waiting For The Tide).
It received the Single Of The Week accolade by Jazz FM
Jazz FM
Jazz FM may refer to:*Jazz FM , a digital jazz radio station in the United Kingdom.*102.2 Jazz FM, a defunct radio station based in London, England.*100.4 Jazz FM, a defunct radio station based in Manchester, England....
.
On the release of single "Take It Easy" Rob continued traveling the length and breadth of the country performing live sessions on dozens of BBC and ILR stations and was invited to launch the nation's newest terrestrial television network Channel 5 with its first afternoon show Five's Company, hosted by nick Knowles
Nick Knowles
Nicholas Simon Augustine Knowles is an English television presenter. He is best known for presenting DIY SOS on the BBC. He has also presented Mission Africa, UK's Worst, City Hospital, Coast to Coast, Five's Company, Departure Lounge and Real Rescues.-Early years:Knowles was born in Southall,...
.
2000s
A period of writing and touring followed, which resulted in the release in 2000 of a self produced seven-track mini-album entitled Samsara Never Sleeps, recorded at Skyline Studios Epsom. It was met with critical acclaim and respected UK music monthly Mojo Magazine made Samara Never Sleeps one of their four 'Critics Choice' for the month, and the album sold well across the world.
After a period of experimental recording for a label in Germany, which included sessions with the Munich Symphony Orchestra
Munich Symphony Orchestra
The Munich Symphony Orchestra is a German orchestra based in Munich. Kurt Graunke founded the orchestra as the Graunke Symphony Orchestra in 1945. The orchestra acquired its current name in 1990...
and some 5.1 Surround mixes, Rob returned to London in the autumn of 2002 and set about recording his third album, Sightseeing.
Sightseeing saw Rob hit his peak as a singer, writer and producer, bringing together his rocking live band and a host of top guest's including, guitarist Steve Harris
Steve Harris
Steve Harris may refer to:* Steve Harris , founding member and bassist of the band Iron Maiden* Steve Harris , American film and TV actor* Steve Harris , American basketball player...
(Gary Numan
Gary Numan
Gary Numan is an English singer, composer, and musician, most widely known for his chart-topping 1979 hits "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and "Cars". His signature sound consisted of heavy synthesizer hooks fed through guitar effects pedals.Numan is considered a pioneer of commercial electronic music...
), keyboard player Richard Cottle (Seal
Seal (musician)
Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel , known simply as Seal, is a British soul and R&B singer-songwriter, of Nigerian and Brazilian background. Seal has won numerous music awards throughout his career, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male in 1992, four Grammy Awards, and an...
), and percussionist Miles Bould (Sting).
The first single, "Sweet Mother", hit the airwaves in July, staying on the BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
playlist for an astonishing five weeks; and Radio 2 invited Rob to perform two tracks live to a massive radio audience as part of their Great British Music Debate. Regional radio was equally enthusiastic, racking up over 40 playlists, including PBS106.7FM.
In Europe the single was A listed by Holland and Belgium's equivalent of Radio 1.
2004 saw Rob begin the year with a tour of radio stations around the country. March 31 heralded the start of a whirlwind and successful tour with Hazel O'Connor
Hazel O'Connor
Hazel O'Connor is an English singer-songwriter and actress. She is the daughter of a soldier from Galway who settled in England after World War II to work in a car plant...
, taking him around the UK and The Netherlands.
In February 2005 Reynolds played on the 'Best of British' stage at MIDEM
Midem
-MIDEM:Short for Marché International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale, MIDEM is the world's largest music industry trade fair, which has been held annually at and around the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France, since 1967...
in Cannes
Cannes
Cannes is one of the best-known cities of the French Riviera, a busy tourist destination and host of the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is a Commune of France in the Alpes-Maritimes department....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, in June Rob dueted on Hazel O'Connor
Hazel O'Connor
Hazel O'Connor is an English singer-songwriter and actress. She is the daughter of a soldier from Galway who settled in England after World War II to work in a car plant...
's Hidden Heart album.
He then twice toured Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, during which included showcases at Canada Music Week on the first tour and in the second tour playing at NXNE. Later in the year he then played two sets at the Glastonbury Festival
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
and won the Baltic Song Contest for England in Malmo
Malmö
Malmö , in the southernmost province of Scania, is the third most populous city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg.Malmö is the seat of Malmö Municipality and the capital of Skåne County...
.
During the year he also opened for other acts including: Paul Carrack
Paul Carrack
Paul Carrack is an English singer, songwriter and musician. Carrack has been a member of several bands including Ace, Squeeze, Mike + The Mechanics, and Roxy Music, been a session and touring musician for several others including Nick Lowe, and has enjoyed success as a solo artist as well...
, Amos Lee
Amos Lee
Amos Lee is an American singer-songwriter whose musical style encompasses folk, rock and soul. Lee has four albums on Blue Note Records and has toured as an opening act for Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Norah Jones, Paul Simon, Merle Haggard, Van Morrison, John Prine, Dave Matthews Band and Adele. In...
and Arthur Lee
Arthur Lee
Arthur Lee may refer to:*Arthur Lee , U.S. envoy to France*Arthur Lee, 1st Viscount Lee of Fareham , British soldier and diplomat*Arthur Lee , American psychedelic-rock musician...
and Love.
In 2006 Rob released his fourth album, a compilation of his work to date entitled The Curious World, drawn from his three studio albums.
He then returned to Canada in 2007 to play NXNE, and tour with Hugh Cornwell
Hugh Cornwell
Hugh Alan Cornwell is an English musician and songwriter, best known for being the vocalist and guitarist for the punk/new wave group, The Stranglers, from 1974 to 1990.-Career:...
from The Stranglers
The Stranglers
The Stranglers are an English punk/rock music group.Scoring some 23 UK top 40 singles and 17 UK top 40 albums to date in a career spanning five decades, the Stranglers are the longest-surviving and most "continuously successful" band to have originated in the UK punk scene of the mid to late 1970s...
which would take him from Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
to Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. Reynolds then went straight to Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
to embark on his 5th album 'Coming Home', with Multi Juno
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
award winning producer Brandon Friesen
Brandon Friesen
Brandon Friesen is a Grammy nominated and multi-Juno Award winning music producer, audio engineer, mixer, and television producer. His current companies include 441 Studios, Raceday Promotions, C4 and C12 Records, Arbor Records, and Arbor Television Inc...
.
2008 and Reynolds's long time friend and producer Tom Jackson in Switzerland, asks him to co-write the melodies and lyrics for a German Band called Rauschhardt, they recorded the songs in Hanover and Berlin and the album is to be released in 2010, Guitarist Tom Rauschhardt; bass player Jacki Reznicek; drummer Sebastian Reznicek and keyboard player Christoph von Haniel.
2009. This year Rob completed the album ‘Coming Home’. Rob also made guest appearances on two songs with dance producer Boyan, and a duet with 70s psycho rockers Wally on their first album in 30 years. He played over 200 shows, including a French music festival in August, Rochefort Accords, where he performed with Piers Faccini and the legendary slide player BJ Cole, vibraphone player Roger Beaujolais and Rob Arnos on sax.
Albums
- Waiting for the Tide – released 1997
- Samsara –released 2000
- Sightseeing – released 2003
- The Curious World – released 2006 (Compilation Album)
- Coming Home- released 2010
Past appearances and tours
- 2005 Newbury Fringe Festival
- 2005 Winner of the Baltic Song Contest, Malmo, Sweden
- 2005 Hidden Heart Tour with Hazel O'Connor
- 2005 MIDEM at Cannes, France
- 2005 NXNE Canada
- 2005 Glastonbury Festival, Glastonbury, UK
- 2006 Canada Music Week
- 2007 NXNE Canada
- 2007 Tour With Hugh Cornwell
- 2008 The Bedford Bandstand at Clapham Common, London
- 2009 Rochefort Accords Music Festival,France
External links
- http://www.myspace.com/robreynoldsmusic