Oli Rockberger

NYC based, London born Singer/Songwriter and Pianist Oli Rockberger is winning wide acclaim for his 2005 Independent release “Hush Now”(project Co-Produced by Oli Rockberger and Jesse Hayes). Described by 'All About Jazz' as a “concise treasure rippling with hip pop & R&B harmonies laced with jazz devices” (Phil Di Pietro), this record was written, arranged, produced and recorded by Oli in his home studio, while living in Boston during 2004 and 2005. Over the course of the album's 8 songs “about love and longing for love” (Michelle Blumsack - STL PLAYBACK), Oli blends influences ranging from R&B, gospel, jazz and pop to form a sound that is truly his own. “Hush Now”, which follows on from Oli's 2003 release “The Oli Rockberger Band” (both available on ITUNES and CDBABY) has confirmed Oli Rockberger as a soulful artist of substance, well worth watching, and well on his way...

As a solo artist, Oli is fast establishing himself as a first rate international performer with many high profile performances already to his name including: The Royal Albert Hall London 1998, The Phoenix Jazz Festival Japan 2001 (opening for Makoto Ozone Trio), Brecon Jazz Festival 2003, The City Showcase London 2004 (opening for Hamish Stewart), Steinway & Sons Boston 2004 (Songwriting Workshop & Trio Performance), US Embassy Sponsored Tour of Ecuador (2004) and UHF Cable TV Performance and Interview (NYC 2006). In July 2006 Oli will be headlining the opening night of NYC favorite jazz venue Cornelia Street Cafe's annual Blues Festival. As a sideman Oli has performed at The Jazz Cafe London, The Blue Note New York, Scullers of Boston, and has shared the stage with the likes of Frank McComb & Branford Marsalis, Abe Laboriel, Jackie De Shannon, George Duke, David Fiuczynski, Jason Eskridge & Antonio Hart, Marlon Saunders, Larry Watson, Danny Sadownick, Eska, Bembesegue, Jason Yarde and Jade Fox amongst others.

Born in North-West London, Oli was inspired by his parents record collection (Oscar Peterson, Jimmy Smith, Stevie Wonder, The Crusaders, James Taylor..the list goes on...) and began playing by ear and improvising tunes on the living room piano from before the time his legs could touch the pedals. After studying privately in London, Oli won a Full Tuition Scholarship to attend Boston's world renowned Berklee College of Music in 1999, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2004 (Degree, Professional Music - Composition, Performance, Music Business). In addition to receiving college awards for Jazz Performance, Songwriting and Academic Achievement, in his senior year Oli won the prestigous 'Quincy Jones Award', given to an “Outstanding Writer” by the college's Writing Division (past recipients include the late Grammy Winning producer Arif Mardin).

After the release of “Hush Now”, Oli moved to NYC in the fall of 2005 to continue to develop his career as a solo artist, songwriter and sideman. Oli is fast becoming a regular name on the NYC circuit as a solo artist having already performed at: Mercury Lounge, The Rockwood, Cornelia St Cafe, Soho 323, Triad Theatre, Kavehaz and Kenny's Castaways. Other recent projects include recording and songwriting for a newly signed major label artist, regular performances with Marlon Saunders (one of which as Musical Director) and numerous sideman recording and live sessions in NY, Boston and London. Over the last 6 months Oli has also been working hard together with co-producer Nicolas Farmakalidis on a recently completed 3 song promo studio recording featuring Tony Grey on bass, and Chris Farr on drums called 'Show Me'. We've posted the 3 tracks - 'Show Me', 'My Old Life' and 'Hush Now' in full in the MP3 player in the bottom left corner plus 'Baby I'm Crazy' off 'Hush Now' (Oli Road, 2005).

Well - we hope that this gives you a good feeling for who Oli is, where he comes from and for what he's about. Thank you for visiting and please make yourself comfy. Have a browse around, listen to some music and do sign the mailing list while you're here. Come back again soon as we will be adding fresh content as often as we can. Do contact us with any feedback, questions, or professinal enquiries regarding Oli and his music and performances... Thanks again... Show less