Olivia Moore â violin
Clare Smith â violin
Fiona Peterson â viola
Danny NorÂbury â cello
John Ellis â piano
Sylvan RichardÂson â bass
Myke Wilson â drums
Olivia and Myke Wilson had talked about colÂlabÂorÂatÂing for a long time, but The Owl Ensemble evenÂtuÂally came togethÂer in 2008. ComÂbinÂing influÂences of tango and FlaÂmenco music, with free improÂvisaÂtion the band sounÂded quite unlike anyÂthing else when they premiered at the Royal NorthÂern ColÂlege of Music during the Manchester Jazz FestÂivÂal. The proÂject was hailed by JazzÂwise magazine as âinventÂive.â
The juxÂtaÂposÂiÂtion of the clasÂsicÂal string quarÂtet with the jazz trio makes for an unlikely but disÂtinctÂive and rich sound palette. At times the ensemble creÂates an intricÂate netÂwork of melodÂies, and at other times they build up layers of more groove-based rhythmic patÂterns; the resÂultÂant fusion is a powerÂful yet intimÂate experience.
John Ellis is one of the most disÂtinÂguished and in-demand perÂformers in the UK. His relaxed, supÂportÂive and flexÂible approach has seen him work with CineÂmatÂic OrchesÂtra, Lily Allen, Corinne Bailey Rae and DJ Vadim.
Sylvan RichardÂson has a deep and groundÂing musicÂalÂity and has played with Simply Red, Joe Lovano, Tommy Smith, Gary Boyle and Andy ShepÂpard. He is also an experÂiÂenced MD and proÂduÂcer in his own right in the pop industry, having worked with Iain Brown and Cleopatra.
Myke Wilson is an enerÂgetÂic and excitÂing drumÂmer whoâs playÂing straddles pop and jazz. He has toured and recorÂded with Mike Walker, The Dust Junkies, Lamb, 808 State, Texas, Swing Out Sister.
Clare Smith has played with the LindÂsay QuarÂtet and variÂous Manchester orchestras.
Fiona Peterson is curÂrently a full-time viola player with the BBC PhilÂharÂmonÂic and works freelÂance for many other UK orchestras.
Danny NorÂbury is a sought-after celÂlist on the folk scene and as a multi-instruÂmentÂalÂist has writÂten and recorÂded two EPs, âDuskâ and âJean Cockarâ, on which he also plays dulÂcitone, melodÂica and musicÂal saw.