Younee & The Richard Niles Quartet
@ the Pizza Express Jazz Club
27 October 2009

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Biography

Younee, from Seoul, Korea is 'beyond category' as a singer, songwriter and pianist. Her exquisitely vulnerable voice can also express raw power. An accomplished and virtuosic classical pianist, she plays rock as well as Rachmaninoff. She has performed piano concertos with symphony orchestras and jazz with Grammy-winning pianist Bob James. She is an award-winning singer/songwriter (VH-1's AC Song of the Year, and the Brit Awards composition prize) who has also written music for film and TV. She has released two albums in Korea as “Keys Piano” (2006 & 2007 - EMI & Manworldang) and performed extensively on Korean television.

When Bob James heard her music he invited her to perform with him in Seoul - his brilliant composition for piano 'four hands'. Knowing Younee wanted to break free of the creative restrictions of the Korean music business, James suggested she contact American producer/composer/arranger Richard Niles.

Dr. Richard Niles has been a fixture of the London music scene for over 30 years with credits including work with Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Cher, Dusty Springfield, Grace Jones, James Brown, Michael McDonald, Pet Shop Boys, Westlife, Boyzone, Take That, Ronan Keating and Kylie Minogue. Jazz credits include work with Pat Metheny, Bob James, Bill Cobham, John Patitucci and Bob Mintzer. An acclaimed presenter of music documentaries for BBC Radio 2, he has been called “one of the most versatile men in modern music” (Sound on Sound) and “a truly exciting musical force” (Pat Metheny).

Younee and Niles began to write songs using Skype - Younee in her bedroom studio in Seoul and Niles in his studio in London. Niles' lyrics bring a powerful message to Younee's emotional melodies. His arrangements and production inspire Younee to express both her virtuosity and her passion. Together they have been able to integrate contrasting elements of popular music into a unified whole, balancing tradition with innovation - a dynamic and truly unique blend of genres.