Urban Soul Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The Urban Soul Orchestra is a "collective of session musicians which numbers anything from four to 40 players, and is run by violinist and arranger Stephen Hussey." The Independent said of Urban Soul Orchestra: they are a "contemporary string ensemble with a repertoire of funky arrangements".
Their discography includes artists ranging from classical music
, jazz, funk, soul
, and contemporary music.
.
Hussey began his professional career with the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), arranging and co-arranging the strings for artists such as Soul II Soul
, Gabrielle
and Maxi Priest
. Hussey went on to become a string arranger in his own right, forming Urban Soul Orchestra, and collaborating with an extensive range of international artists and composers.
The Urban Soul Orchestra has performed or recorded with: Leona Lewis
, Groove Armada
, Jay-Z
, Keane, Il Divo
, Oasis
,The Script, Grace Jones
, Mika
, Maxi Priest, and Nitin Sawhney
.
Urban Soul Orchestra has orchestrated many tracks that have been used as TV and film underscore including Nightmares on Wax ‘Les Nuits’, Octave One
‘Blackwater’ (BBC idents) and Black Connection ‘Give Me Rhythm’ (Titles for C4’s ‘Clubbervision’) In 2011 Urban Soul Orchestra's Stephen Hussey conducted the score for BBC1's Human Planet
series, composed by Nitin Sawhney
.
In 2009, Urban Soul Orchestra performed at the Cannes Film Festival
, which oscar winner Penelope Cruz
hosted. Also in 2009 they performed at the Basel Art Fair
and WOMAD New Zealand. They also debuted their USO Big Band set, featuring live band, orchestra and vocalists, at the Oval Hall at the National Museum of Catalan Art in Barcelona
.
In 2010, Urban Soul Orchestra performances included the Wimbledon Ball, Hurlingham Club, and Rupert Murdoch
's Summer Party at Kensington Palace
.
For 2011, Urban Soul Orchestra have announced that they will be returning to the Wimbledon Ball, as well as performing at the Monaco Grand Prix
, Venice Biennale
and Queen's Club Ball.
Their discography includes artists ranging from classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, jazz, funk, soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, and contemporary music.
History
Stephen Hussey was born in London in 1967 and is of "mixed Zimbabwean and English heritage". He studied the violin and piano at the Guildhall School of Music and DramaGuildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
.
Hussey began his professional career with the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), arranging and co-arranging the strings for artists such as Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul
Soul II Soul are a British group that was created in London in 1988. They are best known for their 1989 UK chart-topper and U.S. Top 5 hit, "Back to Life ".-Career:...
, Gabrielle
Gabrielle
Gabrielle is a French female given name derived from Gabriel. It may refer to:* Gabrielle , an album by the singer of the same name* Gabrielle , 2005 film* Gabrielle , an UK singer that achieved popularity in the '90s....
and Maxi Priest
Maxi Priest
Max Alfred "Maxi" Priest is a British reggae vocalist of Jamaican descent. He is best known for singing reggae music with a R&B influence, otherwise known as reggae fusion, and became one of the first international successes who regularly dabbled in the genre as well as being one of the most...
. Hussey went on to become a string arranger in his own right, forming Urban Soul Orchestra, and collaborating with an extensive range of international artists and composers.
The Urban Soul Orchestra has performed or recorded with: Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis
Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
, Groove Armada
Groove Armada
Groove Armada is an English electronic music duo from London, England comprising Andy Cato and Tom Findlay. They are perhaps best known for their singles "I See You Baby" and "Superstylin'"...
, Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
, Keane, Il Divo
Il Divo
Il Divo is a multinational operatic pop vocal group created by music manager, executive, and reality TV star Simon Cowell. Formed in the United Kingdom, they are also signed to Cowell's record label, Syco Music...
, Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
,The Script, Grace Jones
Grace Jones
Grace Jones is a Jamaican-American singer, model and actress.Jones secured a record deal with Island Records in 1977, which resulted in a string of dance-club hits. In the late 1970s, she adapted the emerging electronic music style and adopted a severe, androgynous look with square-cut hair and...
, Mika
Mika (singer)
Mika is a British singer-songwriter.After recording his first extended play, Dodgy Holiday EP, Mika released his first full-length studio album, Life in Cartoon Motion, on Island Records in 2007. Life in Cartoon Motion sold more than 5.6 million copies worldwide and helped Mika win a Brit...
, Maxi Priest, and Nitin Sawhney
Nitin Sawhney
Nitin Sawhney is an Indian-British musician, producer and composer. His critically acclaimed work combines Asian and other worldwide influences with elements of jazz and electronica and often explores themes such as multiculturalism, politics and spirituality...
.
Urban Soul Orchestra has orchestrated many tracks that have been used as TV and film underscore including Nightmares on Wax ‘Les Nuits’, Octave One
Octave One
Octave One is a group of American Techno musicians composed of siblings Lenny Burden and Lawrence Burden, sometimes associated with their three other brothers, Lorne Burden, Lynell Burden and Lance Burden. In 1989, The band debuted on Derrick May's Transmat record label with the single "I Believe"...
‘Blackwater’ (BBC idents) and Black Connection ‘Give Me Rhythm’ (Titles for C4’s ‘Clubbervision’) In 2011 Urban Soul Orchestra's Stephen Hussey conducted the score for BBC1's Human Planet
Human Planet
Human Planet is an 8-part British television documentary series. It is produced by the BBC with co-production from Discovery and BBC Worldwide...
series, composed by Nitin Sawhney
Nitin Sawhney
Nitin Sawhney is an Indian-British musician, producer and composer. His critically acclaimed work combines Asian and other worldwide influences with elements of jazz and electronica and often explores themes such as multiculturalism, politics and spirituality...
.
In 2009, Urban Soul Orchestra performed at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
, which oscar winner Penelope Cruz
Penélope Cruz
Penélope Cruz Sánchez is a Spanish actress. Signed by an agent at age 15, she made her acting debut at 16 on television and her feature film debut the following year in Jamón, jamón , to critical acclaim...
hosted. Also in 2009 they performed at the Basel Art Fair
Art Basel
Art Basel is an international contemporary art fair held each June in Basel, Switzerland. Similar to the Venice Biennale, it has been called "the Olympics of the art world". Art Basel features nearly 300 leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa...
and WOMAD New Zealand. They also debuted their USO Big Band set, featuring live band, orchestra and vocalists, at the Oval Hall at the National Museum of Catalan Art in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
.
In 2010, Urban Soul Orchestra performances included the Wimbledon Ball, Hurlingham Club, and Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
's Summer Party at Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is a royal residence set in Kensington Gardens in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England. It has been a residence of the British Royal Family since the 17th century and is the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke and...
.
For 2011, Urban Soul Orchestra have announced that they will be returning to the Wimbledon Ball, as well as performing at the Monaco Grand Prix
Monaco Grand Prix
The Monaco Grand Prix is a Formula One race held each year on the Circuit de Monaco. Run since 1929, it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world, alongside the Daytona 500, Indianapolis 500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans...
, Venice Biennale
Venice Biennale
The Venice Biennale is a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place once every two years in Venice, Italy. The Venice Film Festival is part of it. So too is the Venice Biennale of Architecture, which is held in even years...
and Queen's Club Ball.