James Rhodes
Pianist
London, 1975. The pianist James Rhodes had no formal academic musical education or dedicated mentoring until the age of 14 when he began to study with Colin Stone. In 1993, mental health issues stopped him playing the piano entirely. Ten years later he had a brief tutorage by the piano teacher Edoardo Strabbioli in Verona, Italy. Suffering further setbacks due to health issues it was not until 2008, when Rhodes met his present manager, Denis Blais, that he was encouraged to record his first CD “Razor blades, little pills and big pianos”. Uncomfortable with the austere and traditional “white tie and tails” recital they decided it was time for the performer to communicate directly with the audience, so Rhodes started telling fascinating anecdotes about the composers and his own life experience in his performances. He has published three more albums and has released his first memoir “Instrumental”.
Interview: Iñaki Salvador
Iñaki Salvador is a pianist, arranger, composer and teacher. With a classical academic training, he is specially linked to modern music and jazz, disciplines in which he is basically selftaught. He has published more than 15 records and has participated in over 80 productions. He composes soundtracks, music for television, theater and dance and he has taken part in many important jazz festivals. He currently teaches pianojazz at the Higher School of Music of the Basque Country (Musikene).
