Simon Lasky

Inquisitive, provocative, blessed with the polished skill of balancing the musical idioms that have shaped his unique musical personality, British pianist Simon Lasky has been dazzling audiences on both sides of the Atlantic throughout his career. As a classically trained composer with a lifelong fascination with improvisation, Simon has forged his engaging signature sound from a love of 20th and 21st century symphonic music, the genius of bands like Steely Dan and Weather Report, and the venturesome nature of contemporary Jazz.

After winning the 2018 Ivors Composer Awards for his song ‘Close To Ecstasy,’ Simon moved from England to Tampa, Florida to study with five time GRAMMY nominated Jazz composer Chuck Owen at The University of South Florida. Since then Simon has thrived as an educator, lecturer, radio host and leader of the eight piece Simon Lasky Group. Relentlessly curious, Simon’s attention to detail, compositional sophistication, and intricate musicality, invites listeners to embrace his distinctive artistry, one that excites, enchants, and educates throughout every song, album and concert he brings to life.

Captivating arrangements exploiting the familiarity of popular music showcase Simon’s reputation for leveraging elaborate musical narratives that playfully guide audiencesthrough the “back door” of Jazz. His latest album For the Dreamers (Ubuntu Music) explores the concentric circles of treasured musical genres through a variety of whimsical compositions complimented by guest vocalist Ona K and the special chemistry of the Simon Lasky Group. In demand as a soloist, lecturer, clinician and sideman, Simon is currently an Adjunct Faculty Music Professor at the University of South Florida and Hillsborough Community College. His current working Jazz octets in England and Central Florida regularly sell out concert venues in London, Tampa, Orlando, Miami and St. Pete.

Awards

'Close To Ecstasy' WINNER of The 2018 British Composer Award in the 'Jazz Composition for Small Ensemble' category. 2019-20: awarded a Fellowship to study with 7 time Grammy nominated jazz composer Chuck Owen at The University of South Florida. 'Close To Ecstasy' selected for the New Music Presentations at the 2019 ISJAC (International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composer) Symposium at The University of Northern Colorado.

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