Jamil Sheriff Big Band - Ichthyology (2023) Hi-Res

Jamil Sheriff was born in Bolton Royal Infirmary in March 1977 and is the second product of the partnership of Carol and Asgar Sheriff, the first being his older sister Naadia. Asgar and Carol were married in Bolton in 1974, before they moved to Iran where Asgar had secured a job managing a mill for a large textiles company. Due to the politically volatile environment, they left Iran within months and moved to Karachi where they stayed with Asgar’s family. This was Naadia’s home for the first year of her life. All three of them moved back to England in 1976, where they placed roots in Bolton.

Over the last few years Jamil has earned himself a reputation of being one of the up and coming jazz pianists and composers in Britain. As a boy, Jamil’s parents made sure that piano practice was always on the agenda but it was clear from a young age that he would follow a more inventive avenue of playing. Reluctantly at times, Jamil worked towards each of his exams and in his late teens enjoyed much of the repertoire that he studied with classical tutor Richard Eastam. Jamil also enjoyed playing at church, where he met with Nigel Swinford (director of the New English Orchestra) and was invited to sing in the NEO choir. At the age of 16, Jamil attended a jazz summer school at the Arden centre in Manchester, where he received guidance from the Manchester based pianist Joe Palin. In 1995 Jamil began to study at Leeds College of Music. He studied jazz piano with Nikki Iles, composition with Tony Faulkner and Tony Wytton and jazz harmony with William Kinghorn. Here, at the old civic theatre, he formed his first group with drummer Alan Gubbins and bassist Adrian Knowles. Jamil graduated from LCM with a first class honours degree in 1998. He also won the friends of LCM award for jazz piano, the friends of LCM award for composition and the Leeds University Arms award for highest degree result In 1998 Jamil was invited to work in the Rosie Brown quartet, an ensemble that has evolved over the years, but one that Jamil still enjoys being a part of. The current line up of this ensemble includes bassist John Thorn and Finish drummer Jonas Bachman. The latest venture of the group is a joint writing collaboration between Jamil and Rosie, the result of which will be their forthcoming album. In 1999 Jamil was invited to join the Andrew Colman quartet. Andrew had recently won the Young Jazz Musician of the year competition. The quartet recorded an album featuring artists Peter King, Tina May, Jez Franks and Dave Newton. The group has been performing regularly over the past six years and now includes drummer John Perry and Bassist John Thorn.

In 2000 Jamil joined the Pat McCarthy group, which in its trio variation includes bassist Dave Green.Pat is regarded as one of the finest jazz guitarists in Britain today. He has recorded several albums to date, featuring artists such as Dave Newton and Alan Barns. At present, Pat and Jamil are working on a duo album, to be released later this year. In 2002 Jamil was invited to work for nationally acclaimed composer and saxophonist James Russell. This work has lead to the touring performances of the Romeo and Juliet Jazz Suite and the Under Milk Wood Jazz suite. In 2003 Jamil formed his own group, The Jamil Sheriff Octet. The group was formed after a successful application to Arts Council England to fund a project that would help develop Jamil’s composing skills and provide stimulating work for regional players. That year the octet recorded its debut album “Daydreams”, which went on to receive high acclaim throughout the country. The Octet has toured theatres and jazz venues extensively over the past three years and is still the catalyst for much of Jamils new writing. The continued support of Arts Council England has helped with the planning and funding of the spring 2006 national tour. The band is Jamil Sheriff, John Perry, Zoltan Dekany, Pat McCarthy Kevin Hollborough, Ben Martin, Joel Purnell and Andrew Colman. In 2005 Jamil received commissions from the National Centre for Early Music and Manchester Jazz Festival. Both of these works were written for new ensembles and featured artists such as Eroll Roberts, Dave Edge, Richard Turner and Henrich Lidderman.