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Rupert Leighton
"I've had a love of music stretching back as far as I can remember. Began composing music in my mid-teens and have since released 10 albums.
Early influence was predominantly jazz & blues piano players such as Oscar Peterson, Jools Holland & Monty Alexander but soon started to get into funk and add other styles into the mix. Released my first album ‘Beyond Reflection’ way back in 2005 but it was my second album ‘Take the Sidewalk’ when I really found my 'sound'. Combining groove-laden jazz with chill & a dash of funk, it was released in late 2006 on Innervision Records and achieved extensive radio airplay, particularly in the U.S. This set the tone for future albums 'Utter Karma' (2010), 'All Kinds of Fine' (2017) & my most recent 'Gone For Now' (2019). I experimented with different moods, African & ethnic sounds on 'Suniwahle' (2018) and released a seasonal album 'A Winter's Walk' in 2014. I also released two albums with my funk band 'Fujalada' plus a blues 'n' boogie woogie collection of songs & instrumentals under my alter ego 'Fingers Slim'.
Over the years, my songs have found placements in various media & films such as ‘Beyond the Lights’ (2014) & my track 'En Route' was chosen among the top 5 tunes of 2017 by Rich Edwards on his Smooth Grooves Radio Show.
First proper gig was in 2003 at a club in Bournemouth. Just me, solo keyboard, bag of nerves but got re-booked so it clearly went down ok! Formed a trio 'Miquid Licks' in 2010 to perform my jazzy repertoire and the band spent two busy years playing all around the south & south west of England. Then in 2011, I focused my attention on the formation of a new band ‘Fujalada’. For several years, we firmly established ourselves on the local scene, kicking out a pulsating mix of original funk & feel-good vibes - guaranteed to make you get a wiggle on!
More recently, I created a new live solo act 'Rupierre Le Funk', bringing the booty shaking qualities of a funk band into a more compact one-man show. I also offer a live set of jazz piano or blues & boogie to suit various different occasions & moods.
I'm always writing new music so keep an eye out for the latest release! ''
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Pianist Rupert Leighton Releases New Album "All Kinds Of Fine"
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Rupert Leighton
The latest release from English pianist & composer Rupert Leighton is a synthesis of groove-laden jazz and chill-out excursions. Dazzling piano strides, liquid keys and splashes of saxophone are underpinned by warm bass and vibrant rhythms. Composed, produced & arranged by Rupert, the 11 original tracks serve up intelligent arrangements in an array of moods incorporating straight ahead, funky, smooth and new age. Although primarily on piano & keyboards, he also contributes vibraphone, alto sax and bass with tenor sax ...
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‘Englishman Rupert Leighton has a way with making his piano dance, whether to digital bass and rhythmical programs or to lavish cymbal and horn formations. The album is a synthesis of Jamiroquai-like beats and Chopin’s rattling piano flitters…club/dance jazz that forms great escapes to plunge into and feel free. It’s music whose elements are familiar, but have never been arranged like this before’ – (JAZZ REVIEW.COM)
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Way Beyond
From: LimitlesssBy Rupert Leighton
En Route
From: All Kinds Of FineBy Rupert Leighton