Charmaine Ford - piano/composer
Tom Callwood - bass
Mark Nelson – drums
PURCHASE OUTSIDE NZ:
PURCHASE WITHIN NZ:
Influences
Jacky Terrasson,
Brad Mehldau,
Enrico Pieranunzi,
Danilo Perez,
Benny Green,
Keith Jarrett,
Fred Hersch,
Kenny Kirkland,
Michel Camilo,
Kenny Baron,
Mark Turner,
Gonzalo Rubalcaba,
Bach,
Taylor Eigsti,
Larry Grenadier,
Debussy,
Charles Lloyd,
Gregory Hutchinson,
Andy “Guppy” Gibson,
Michael Brecker,
Ray Brown,
Jorge Rossy,
Harry Connick Jr,
Brian Blade,
John Psathas,
Branford Marsalis,
Herbie Hancock,
John Coltrane,
Marc Johnson,
Stevie Wonder,
Aron Ottignon,
Jack DeJohnette,
Bill Evans,
Pearl Jam,
Joshua Redman,
Wynton Marsalis,
Don Braden,
Richard Bona,
Gerard Masters,
Joey Baron,
Marc Copland,
Avashai Cohen,
Coldplay,
Jeff “Tain” Watts,
Kenny Garrett,
Gwilym Simcock,
Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra,
Jamie Cullum,
Darrell Grant,
Queen,
Chris Potter,
Diana Krall,
Oscar Peterson,
Christian McBride,
Jason Moran,
Death Cab For Cutie,
Dave Holland,
Don Byron,
The Bad Plus,
Charlie Haden,
Chick Corea,
Bobby McFerrin,
Stefon Harris,
Roy Haynes,
Pat Metheny,
U2,
Lee Konitz,
Gary Peacock,
Jochen Rueckert,
Monty Alexander,
Thelonius Monk,
Jeff Hamilton,
The Beatles,
Eric Reed,
Dave Douglas,
McCoy Tyner, etc etc etc
"Caffeine Deprived" by Charmaine Ford
Live in Wellington, New Zealand - December 2007
Charmaine Ford (piano) Tom Callwood (bass) Richard Wise (drums)
CHARMAINE FORD BIOGRAPHY:
With a career still in its infancy, New Zealand-born piano virtuoso and composer Charmaine Ford has accomplished more than most musicians do in a lifetime.
Ford has blazed a trail of awards confirming she is indeed one of New Zealand’s most distinguished jazz musicians. She has released two self-penned albums, which showcase her extraordinary talent. Her sophomore release, ‘Busy Silence’, was awarded ‘Best Jazz Album 2007’ at the New Zealand Music Awards. Ford is the first female instrumentalist to receive this accolade. Her debut album ‘Blues for Guppy’ was also a finalist in the same category in 2004.
Charmaine performs with utter conviction and already has a distinctive sound, comprised of lyrical melodies synergized with idiosyncratic rhythmic diversity.
The Tauranga International Jazz Festival commissioned Charmaine to write a new work, which was premiered at her headline concert, Easter 2009. This was the first work to be commissioned in the 47-year history of the Festival.
Charmaine has played piano professionally since her mid teens and has been composing since the age of six. At age 19, she was awarded a Travel Grant Scholarship from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) to study in London. There, Charmaine spent three months learning from two of England's top jazz educators, Nikki Iles and Pete Churchill, while also taking lessons from one of the world’s leading classical pianists, Professor Yonty Soloman. During her time in London, Charmaine was also privileged to have lessons with various jazz greats including American pianists, Fred Hersch and Danilo Perez.
In 2005, Charmaine sought individual tuition from internationally acclaimed composer, John Psathas for the duration of the year. This period of concentrated training brought about a significant development in her writing.
Ford has performed extensively throughout New Zealand and has appeared on National Television several times. In 2006, Charmaine performed in concert with Tim Beveridge and the NZSO at Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre. She has been invited to play at many of New Zealand's international jazz festivals, as well as being invited to tour Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney) with her trio, which included a performance at the ‘2004 Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival’.
Charmaine’s versatility extends into music education; an area she is passionate about. Ford has a Bachelor of Music and has taught at the New Zealand School Of Music (Massey University), in Wellington. She has been invited to teach and run Masterclasses all around New Zealand. Charmaine is also in demand as an educator, performer and session musician in Sydney, Australia, where she is now based.
In 2007 Ford was recruited by Radio New Zealand Concert to regularly appear on their ‘Upbeat Show’. She prepared and performed a live jazz discussion, which was broadcasted nationwide.
Charmaine Ford was born in 1980 in Tauranga, New Zealand. She moved to Auckland at the age of eight, already with two years piano training, and from there rapidly progressed in her music career. Charmaine attended Rangitoto College on Auckland’s North Shore, where she became heavily involved in the jazz ensembles, both as a player and as a leader. This became her ‘training ground’ for the Auckland jazz scene.
Shortly after leaving high school, Charmaine won several national awards including ‘Best Pianist’, and ‘Best Combo’ at the National Tauranga Jazz Festival Competitions. She was also awarded ‘Jazz Musician of the Year’ by the Auckland Jazz Workshop two years running. From there, she toured to Australia with her jazz quintet, ‘Carte Blanche’, and performed at the 1998 ‘Manly Jazz Festival’, in Sydney. Charmaine was selected as pianist for the ‘New Zealand Youth Jazz Orchestra’ on four occasions, in which she toured throughout New Zealand.
In addition to her staggering list of achievements, Charmaine appears on over 20 album recordings covering a wide variety of genres. Furthermore she is part of a collaborative project called the ‘Ford/Tipping/Wise Trio’ who have released two albums (‘Live at Sandwiches’ and ‘After The Last Dance’).
At only 29yrs, Charmaine Ford has an exciting future ahead of her.
"Nothing could have prepared me for this young pianist's spell-binding virtuosity"
BAY OF PLENTY TIMES, NZ
"Charmaine Ford is one of New Zealand's most distinguished contemporary jazz pianists"
APRA
"Ford pens material which is immediately appealing"
THE NEW ZEALAND HERALD, NZ
"One of New Zealand's true piano masters"
WELLINGTON INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL, NZ
"Charmaine Ford has established herself as one of New Zealand's most innovative and fearless voices in jazz"
TAURANGA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL, NZ
"Charmaine Ford has sealed her reputation as one of New Zealand's leading jazz pianists"
CHRISTCHURCH INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL, NZ
"Charmaine Ford has a maturity of jazz expression that belies such youth. This is her debut album and it's a classic"
NZ MUSICIAN MAGAZINE, NZ
"A rising star of New Zealand jazz piano"
DOMINION POST, NZ
You can hear Charmaine (or her music) on these albums:
Haha! Charmaine you're toooo much guuurl! :-) It was really cool to hang with you & to work with you bella. You are a beautiful person and a phenomenally beautiful and gifted musician!
Hey, if you're giving yourself some time out this weekend, come on down to the Darling Harbour Jazz & Blues Festival on Saturday. I'm singing with the band I front "Eon Beats" from 2pm in Tumbalong Park Darling Harbour. We'll be doing a heap of tunes from our album Blue Rhythm People & have Matt McMahon joining us on keys which should be very nice.
OK bella, I'm outta here - gotta get back to learning songs!
Sistas for life!
Bless ya!
Ev xo
Dan Fulton (bass player from NZ) sends his regards. I have been enjoying working with Dan in the orchestra on board the "Grand Princess" in Europe. Dan gave me a copy of his debut jazz trio CD featuring your amazing playing on the album. Sincere congrats.
I wish you all the best & look forward to hearing from you again soon. - Rodric
Hi Charmaine! Oh thanks, yeah we like it! Album tentatively planned for release in October. First video out in like a week. New songs coming through are getting more and more bad ass. Can't wait to gig this stuff, it's going to be cool. Are you based in ak now or overseas?
Thanks so much for listening, Charmaine! I'm happy to hear that you liked the music! I hope you are well and that you have a great day! Thanks again and take care, JDW
Hey Charmaine! Doing good thanks. Just finishing up my masters. Looking forward to being done! Those are some of my friends from school playing: Alex Lopez ten, Sam Harris pno, Ruben Samama bs, Will Clark drums all legends in their own right. Peace
Charmaine hello! Your music is just stunning...much more intense then I was expecting and I rose up to listen to your fine playing!! Bravo! It is an honor to be your friend, thank you so much for having me! Lots of love, John
