Liam Noble

Jazz Piano Tutor

BA Hons (Oxon)
LGSM

email Liam Noble
Tel: c/o 0121 331 5901

www.liamnoble.co.uk

After studying music as an undergraduate at Oxford University and as a postgraduate at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Liam became the regular pianist with Stan Sulzmann in 1991, on John Taylor’s recommendation. He went on to work in the bands of Anita Wardell, Harry Beckett and John Stevens as well as recording and touring with cult minimalist composer Moondog. During this period, he also performed with John Taylor (as part of Stan Sulzmann’s two-piano quintet), Kenny Wheeler and Lol Coxhill. Since then he has gone on to work with Randy Brecker, Bobby Wellins, Chris Biscoe, Christine Tobin, Julian Siegel, Paul Clarvis, Ingrid Laubrock, Basie band singer Dennis Rowland, Harrison Smith, Mark Sanders, as well as leading several of his own ensembles.

Liam has been an External Examiner at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and Leeds College of Music. He has also written two books with American publisher Hal Leonard: Jazz Piano, An In-Depth Look at the Styles of the Masters and The Bill Evans Trio: Artist Transcriptions Series (the most exhaustive transcriptions of Bill Evans published to date).

Teaching Specialisms
  • Rhythmic structures as basis for improvisation and composition in jazz
Currently Performing / Working with
  • Bobby Wellins
  • Harry Beckett
  • Julian Siegel
  • Ingrid Laubrock
  • Christine Tobin
  • Colin Riley, Tim Whitehead and the Homemade Orchestra with Michael Rosen
  • Chris Biscoe
  • Norma Winstone
  • Paul Clarvis
  • Tom Rainey
Current Projects
  • 'Brubeck' Trio with Dave Whitford and Dave Wickins
  • Duo with Paul Clarvis (drums)
  • Trio with Ingrid Laubrock and Tom Rainey
  • Duo with cellist Okkyung Lee
  • Trio with thereminist Pamelia Kurstin and Seb Rochford
Selected Recordings
  • Forthcoming 2008: Liam Noble Trio: 'Brubeck'(Basho Records)
  • Forthcoming (date TBC): duo album with Paul Clarvis
  • 2006: 'Let’s Call This' (Babel Records)
  • 2004: 'Romance Among The Fishes' (Basho Records)
  • 2001: 'In The Meantime' (Basho Records)
Commissions
  • 2001: Birmingham Jazz Commission - setting of Japanese Death Poetry for electronics and ensemble
Recent Performances
  • 2007: Ingrid Laubrock Nonet at Cheltenham International Jazz Festival (premiere performance)
  • November 2006: 'Romance Among The Fishes' tour with John Hebert, Phil Robson, Tom Rainey
Recent Masterclasses & Workshops
  • 2007: National Youth Jazz Summer School tutor
  • 1998 onwards: Glamorgan Summer School tutor
Publications
  • The Bill Evans Trio (Artist Transcriptions) Volumes 1 to 4 (Hal Leonard)
  • Jazz Piano: An In-Depth Look at the Styles of the Masters (Hal Leonard)
Press
  • "…a writer of considerable idiomatic and emotional range… he knows the instrument’s pantheon from Tatum to Taylor…" Richard Palmer, Jazz Journal
  • "Noble is capable of quirkiness in one measure and jaw-dropping beauty in the very next" Brian Morton
  • "…a brilliant pianist…who hardly plays a solo without at least one turn of phrase that brings you to the edge of your seat" John Fordham, The Guardian