Life Journey - Dave Bainbridge and David Fitzgerald 2009 Cathedral of Dreams - Nick Fletcher 2009 Features Dave and Nick's guitar concerto 'Iberian Fantasy' Songs for Luca 2 - Dave Bainbridge and various artists 2007.
Proceeds from this album go towards helping Dave and Debbie's autistic son Luca overcome the challenges that autism bring to his life using the Son-Rise Program, (Autism Treatment Centre of America). Breaking of the Dawn - Nick Fletcher and Dave Bainbridge 2007
Radically new arrangements the sacred music of Keith Getty and Stuart Townend (nb: available only from Kingsway Music)
Eye of the Eagle - Dave Bainbridge and Dave Fitzgerald 2006 DVD of footage from the world premier of this work plus interviews When Worlds Collide - Dave Bainbridge and Troy Donockley 2005
Veil of Gossamer - Dave Bainbridge 2004 From Silence - Troy Donockley and Dave Bainbridge 2004 Songs for Luca 1 - Dave Bainbridge and various artists 2003.
Proceeds from this album go towards helping Dave and Debbie's autistic son Luca overcome the challenges that autism bring to his life using the Son-Rise Program, (Autism Treatment Centre of America). Eye of the Eagle - Dave Bainbridge and Dave Fitzgerald 1998
All Dave's and Iona's and other related albums are available direct from us at www.drshosting.co.uk/iona/
Influences
"So many, but including (off the top of my head and in no particular order); Keith Jarrett, Allan Holdworth, Vaughan Williams, Gerald Finzi, EJ Moeran, Eric Satie, Arvo Part, John Tavener, Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares, Jeff Beck, Mahler, Gentle Giant, Donal Lunny, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Yes, Planxty, Clannad, Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, Alan Stivell, Weather Report, Steve Reich, Benjamin Britten, Martin Simpson, Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Delius, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, my dad, my sister (Mo James), Sir Troy Donockley, Lunasa, Jack Bruce, Phil Keaggy, Stravinsky, Jan Garbarek, Peter Gabriel, The Blue Nile, Buddy Guy, Toru Takamitsu, etc etc etc (some interesting juxtapositions there!."
Born in Darlington in the north east of England, and from a musical family, Dave began piano lessons at the age of 8 and guitar lessons from his dad at 13.
Dave studied for 3 years at Leeds College of Music, gaining two performance awards - The Sam Hood Rosebowl for Outstanding Performance and The BBC Radio 2 Best Jazz Soloist Award (for piano). At college he also developed a deep interest in recording and synthesisers, particularly through work with college bands 'The Leeds Synthonia' and the 'Hyperspace Rock Orchestra'.
After college Dave played in various jazz-rock, classical-rock, soul & blues bands throughout the '80's (including extensive work with singer-songwriter Adrian Snell, and also work with Snake Davis, Gary Boyle, Jack Bruce and even Gloria Gaynor (of 'I will Survive' fame!) and did a lot of session work, producing and writing music for advertising companies etc. Then in 1989 he formed IONA with David Fitzgerald. Dave currently plays live with IONA and also IONA drummer / violinist Frank van Essen's band DEW.
Dave’s first solo album ‘Veil of Gossamer‘, released on the ‘Open Sky’ label in June 2004 received much critical acclaim, as have his two duo albums with Troy Donockley (‘From Silence’ and ‘When Worlds Collide’) and his collaboration with David Fitzgerald ('The Eye of the Eagle').
Dave is in demand as a producer (producing numerous albums in various genres, including all nine IONA albums) and increasingly is writing music for film (including ‘Wilfred’ - award winning short cinema film featuring Derek Jacobi and Edward Fox reading the poems of Wilfred Owen; 'The Lost Princess' (short silent movie based on fictional account of the last days of Princess Anastasia of Russia - premiered at the National Media Museum in Bradford); 'Cinema' (Virgin Short Film competition entry), ‘The Last Coiner’ (currently developing music for this feature film). Dave is also currently involved in a 2 year video jukebox project, writing music for 16 short films for Nestle's iMax surround sound cinema.
Dave’s music has been heard on many TV programmes, including Timewatch (BBC2) - Battle of the River Plate, Timewatch (BBC2) - Hadrian’s Wall, Snowdonia - Realm of the Ravens (Natural World Series’ - BBC2), World in Action theme tune re-arranged - Granada TV, Northern Lights - Feature on artist JMW Turner (BBC North), Songs of Praise (BBC1), Island Soldiers (ITV) and on many other TV programmes on BBC1 / BBC2 / ITV / MTV / Channel 4 / Channel 5 / S4C / US Cable / Family Channel / Channel 7 Sports (Australia).
Dave has recently co-written and orchestrated a 24 minute long, 4 movement guitar concerto 'Iberian Fantasy' with classical guitarist Nick Fletcher, which can be heard on Nick's new solo release 'Cathedral of Dreams' which Dave also produced.
Dave and his wife Debbie also run the 'Open Sky' record label and 'Open Sky Studios'
“The effect is at times stunning, as huge ethereal soundscapes -
the foundation stone of which is Dave Bainbridge’s haunting choice
of keyboard washes - rise up from the hi-fi speakers.”
Cross Rhythms
"To my ears this is the most successful album of this type since Mike Oldfield’s masterpiece Ommadawn. Stunning." www.progressiveears.com
“Sitting here stunned after my first full listen to Veil Of Gossamer, I’ve not the command of words to convey the true gratitude to Dave Bainbridge for what has instantly become one of my favorite recordings of all time.” Kenneth L. Solomon - Progressive Soundscapes Radio
“...a sonic masterpiece ... Bainbridge has given us what is in my humble opinion one of the best albums ever to be recorded ... some of the best music that he has ever written.”
Chris MacIntosh aka Grandfather Rock www.tollbooth.org
Just letting you know I have uploaded some tracks from my debut album "Ambivalence" now avaliable from my website and selected music stores worldwide. (list coming soon)
So if you get a chance swing by to check them out.
You can also check out my now live official Todd Robinson website where you can pre-order the "Ambivalence" album, check tour dates,watch videos, learn my songs with full tab, check out my bio and gear and much much more
I wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed your music through the years. I have shared your CDs with friends and they have enjoyed them, as well.
I am still a big fan, thanks for keeping prog. rock alive. Here is my tidbit...
My new piece, "Roy Kilroy" is a jazz and rock piece using an office sized water bottle as percussion (well, I used two!)
There are also live drums with no crash, layered band instruments, e-bow guitar and lots of odd meters.
I have wanted to make a piece like this for a long time but have not ever come this close. I was inspired by getting back into Gentle Giant and it was Henry Cow (Unrest) that sparked my interest to go for it!