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Rob Koral
“When I first started playing guitar at school, the challenge between us guitar-playing rebels was to see who had the sweetest vibrato. Who could bend the string up a whole tone, and hold it with the most control. At the time, Eric was God! Playing the Blues must be the most natural way to start playing guitar. It gives you an understanding of the relationship between the string, the wood, and the amp’. The amp’ is not just to make the guitar louder, but is a necessary tool to help you achieve your stylistic goals, and is an integral part of the instrument.
By the time I started gigging on the local pub scene in Bournemouth my ears were full of the sound of Jan Akkerman, quite a step from Eric and the Blues players. Next I found myself on the London jazz circuit playing some great venues with great players trying to find a bridge between Allan Holdsworth and Joe Pass. Now I was playing with people I had only known through their recordings. My interest in chord melody was stimulated by Joe Pass’ virtuoso album. It meant I was now able to tackle accompanying just one other person, singer Sue Hawker. From here it was just one step to playing solo guitar. This meant putting the pick away and playing finger-style so as to separate melody from the harmony and bass parts. I have always wanted to create a fluid sound without physical tension in the execution; this in conjunction with striving for a sweet touch and the intricacies of jazz harmonies is how my style has evolved.”
BIOGRAPHY:
Rob Koral comes from a ‘self-taught’, bluesy background; but has made his name on the British jazz scene, performing at all the major venues and the countries top festivals. Having moved to London early on he formed the successful band SKETCH with singer Sue Hawker. TV: Old Grey Whistle Test, James Whale show, Good Morning Australia, The ‘Denise’ Show Radio: Numerous, including live sessions ‘In Tune’, Jazz Line-up, BBC Jazz Club, Jazz FM Outside broadcast.
As well as solo guitar Rob plays regularly with Zoe Schwarz and is a founding member of blues project The Baddest Blues Band Ever.
Rob Koral must be our most prolific writer of quality jazz songs” – Ron Simpson, The Jazz Rag Autumn 2008
Rob Koral, whether filling, adding rhythmic support, or soloing, is superb, his is a talent of world class proportions. - Bruce Crowther - Jazz Journal International
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Rob Koral: Sleeping With Angels
by John Kelman
Sometimes the simplest pleasures can be the most fulfilling. British Guitarist Rob Koral understands that and, with Sleeping With Angels , has delivered a recording that, in its lack of assumption, captures one’s attention with its elegant clarity and sheer tenderness.
Much of the recording consists of solo guitar interpretations of well-known standards, informed by Joe Pass’ Virtuoso recordings; but unlike Pass, Koral keeps his formidable technique in check and just under the surface, with straightforward readings that go directly ...
read moreToronto Art Orchestra: New Jazz Group
Source:
All About Jazz
The Toronto Art Orchestra is an eclectic new jazz orchestra based in Toronto Canada featuring the works of some of the great jazz orchestra composers of our time, such as Gil Evans, Maria Schneider, Greg Runions, Bruce Cassidy and Timothy Booth.
The band features some of Toronto's finest musicians--led by Timothy Booth with Mark Inneo, Marcus Ali, Dave Caldwell, Scott Marshall, John MacMurchy, Joel Green, Russ Little, John McCleod, Dan Fortin, Steve Cole, Phil Gray, D'Arcy Myronuk Watch
For upcoming ...
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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson
Give Me The Key To Your Heart
From: ChameleonBy Rob Koral