Edward Bell (born 7 September 1987, Windsor, Berkshire, England) is an English singer-songwriter, who has been active since 2003.
Edward Bell | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | 7 September 1987 Windsor, Berkshire, England |
| Genres | Pop, soft rock, acoustic music |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano, violin |
Life and career
editBell became a probationer at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in 1995, and was surpliced in 1996. A regular soloist from 1999 onwards, his first solo was "Domine Deus" from Vivaldi's Gloria, performed in front of Princess Alexandra for the Rose Trust. Highlights at Windsor included singing with José Carreras, Mark Dobell and Joanne Lunn.[1]
On leaving St George's School in 2001, he was offered a Major Music Scholarship to Abingdon School, but decided instead to take up an academic scholarship, and a music scholarship at St Edward's School, Oxford. While in Oxford, he was offered the opportunity to sing with The Sixteen, Henry Herford, and as a part-time tenor for the Keble College Choir, Oxford under Simon Whalley. In 2005, Bell starred opposite the actor, Pippa Bennett-Warner, in a five show production of Les Misérables as Jean Valjean.
On leaving Oxford in 2006, Bell joined a band, signed to Universal Records. He left the band after a year to pursue a degree in music, resulting in studying in London, taking instruction at Guildhall School of Music and Drama for some of his course.
As a songwriter, Bell has enjoyed success with his music played on BBC Radio Berkshire, Time 106.6, and most recently used his song "Two Continents" in the American-produced independent film, Descansos.[2]
On 16 May 2009, he was awarded £15,000 to record his debut album through financing website Slicethepie.com, the youngest person to do so. He followed a group of musicians including; The Alps, Lights Action, and Walk.Dontwalk. He was working on the album with Richard Causon who has worked with the Kings of Leon and Ryan Adams.
The living artists he would most want to duet with are Kate Rusby and Seth Lakeman.[3]
In 2012, he was invited to play keyboards and backing vocals for Mike Marlin on the Stranglers UK and Europe tour.[4] Following this he was asked to play at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London for Emerging Icons, featuring the best of unsigned British talent.[5][6]
Bell released a video on Vimeo for his song, "Where We've Been".[7]
References
edit- ^ "Christmas Glory (1998)". Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ [2] Archived 8 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Newbury singer Edward Bell to play at London 2012". BBC News. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ "Prince Charming: An interview with Edward Bell". Emergingicons.com. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ "Local musician to perform at Olympics | West Berkshire & North Hampshire Local Buzz Magazine". Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
- ^ "Edward Bell – "Where We've Been" Official Video by Christopher Michael Roybal". Vimeo.com. Retrieved 6 September 2014.