While preparing to move back to his London roots after ten years living in NY, keys man, singer, songwriter and producer Oli Rockberger assembled some of his favorite musicians to join him on a new recording. Sessions took place amidst flights to and from the UK in his final stretch as a full-time New Yorker. It was through the sweat of packing boxes amidst the uncertainty and excitement of embarking on this new chapter that Sovereign was born. Oli called on some trusted alliances from his acclaimed Old Habits in Jordan Perlson (drums), Jordan Scannella (bass), John Shannon (guitar) and co-producer Chris Abell, and also on some more recent ones in Ryan Scott (guitar), Owen Biddle (bass), Zach Danziger (drums/programming/additional production) and Hannah Read (background vocals) – his NY musical family. Shortly after finishing the record, Oli was invited to join the band of one of his favorite artists, the multi-award winning UK songstress Laura Mvula, with whom he went on to tour extensively for 16 months with highlights including Glastonbury Main Stage, Jools Holland, The Lincoln Center, Afropunk NY and The Barbican wi/London Symphony Orchestra. Now emerging from his move and recent travels with his feet planted firmly on UK soil, Oli brings Sovereign home, looking ahead to his forthcoming UK Oct tour & Oct 20 record release in partnership with leading London based indie label Whirlwind Recordings.
During his time in NY, Oli shared studios & stages with acclaimed singer-songwriters Carly Simon, Jesse Harris, John Mayer and Judy Collins, and with iconic Jazz/Soul/R&B instrumentalists Steve Gadd, Will Lee, Levon Helm, Steve Jordan, Nathan East and multi-grammy award winner Randy Brecker as a member of his touring band. Now based in London, Oli continues to work internationally as an in-demand recording/touring sideman & songwriter, with recent collaborations including Becca Stevens, Richard Spaven, Jordan Rakei, Fridolijn, Terrane and Louis Cole, in addition to his ongoing work with Ms Mvula. A Full Tuition Scholarship graduate of Berklee College of Music, Oli is also a respected music educator, with workshop highlights to date including Steinway & Sons, University of North Florida, Berklee, Jazzaar, Tisch and ICMP, and remains a sought after coach and mentor to many up and coming musicians.
See him Oct 19/20 @ Pizza Express Holborn CD Release Shows & Nov 14 @ EFG London Jazz Soho Pizza Exp
FULL LIST OF UPCOMING SHOWS HERE
Upcoming selects...
>Sept 9, Bestival (UK) wi/Laura Mvula
>Sept 10, Festival No.6 (Wales) wi/Laura Mvula
>Oct 11, The Brook (So'ton) wi/Oli Rockberger SOVEREIGN
>Oct 12, Soundcellar (Poole) wi/Oli Rockberger SOVEREIGN,
>Oct, 13, Eastside Jazz (B'ham) wi/Oli Rockberger Sovereign
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