Gwyneth Herbert

Gwyneth Herbert is a British singer/songwriter, initially known for her interpretation of jazz and swing standards, and now established as a writer of original compositions.

Early life

Born into a musical family, Herbert was raised in and around Surrey and Hampshire, in the south of England. She began playing the piano at the age of three, achieving Grade 5 by nine, and she began writing basic songs at the age of five. She also began learning the French horn, achieving Grade 8 by the age of 15.

Throughout her teenage years she played music with local orchestras and bands such as the Surrey County Youth Orchestra, and also briefly formed a short lived punk band called "Wasted Minds". At 14 she recorded a demo tape of her own songs at Trinity Studios, Woking, however, despite music industry interest, she chose with her studies.

At sixth-form college her musical tastes moved more towards jazz music, and whilst studying at St Chad's College, University of Durham, she met up with fellow student Will Rutter. Together they began to write and perform in the cafés and bars of North East England as a jazz duo called "Black Coffee".

Professional career

After leaving university, Herbert and Rutter moved to London, where they soon met up with a former member of Boney M, who was shortly to judge a Polish television music competition. She and Rutter were invited to enter, and Black Coffee won the competition.

After returning to London, Black Coffee continued to perform in local bars, before being introduced to Ian Shaw, a noted jazz vocalist. This led eventually to the production of a debut CD of both original songs and standards, "First Songs". The song "Sweet Insomnia" featured guest vocals from Jamie Cullum. The album received a significant amount of radio airplay on Jazz FM and Radio 2, and was promoted by Michael Parkinson.

Soon after, Herbert was signed to the Universal Classics and Jazz label, and released her first major label album, "Bittersweet and Blue". This comprised mainly standards, with several Herbert/Rutter original tracks.

Herbert left Universal Classics and Jazz to pursue a less commercial and more personal musical direction. Collaborating with Polar Bear's Seb Rochford in a production role, Herbert's "Between Me and the Wardrobe" was recorded in three days and never intended for general release. The album was initially released on Herbert's own Monkeywood label before being picked up by Blue Note Records, making Herbert their first UK signing in 20 years.

In early 2008, Herbert was commissioned by a collaborative project between Peter Gabriel and Bowers & Wilkins to record an acoustic album at Gabriel's Real World Studios. The result of these sessions - "Ten Lives" - was released as a digital download in July 2008, available only from the Bowers and Wilkins website as part of their Music Club.

Discography

*"First Songs" (with Will Rutter) - 2003 (Dean Street Records)
*"Bittersweet and Blue" - 2004 (Universal Records)
*"Between Me and the Wardrobe" - 2006 (Monkeywood Records)
*"Between Me and the Wardrobe" - 2007 (Blue Note)

External links

* [http://www.gwynethherbert.com Official website]
* [http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/musicclub Bowers & Wilkins Music Club]

* [http://www.myspace.com/gwynethherbert Official Myspace]