RICH COLLINS | COMPOSER + GUITARIST
Richard is the founder member of SILENCE|BEYOND and the main composer within the group. An improvising musician who happens to play guitar, he studied composition with the electro-acoustic composer Tom Williams before fusing this classical background with a wide range of contemporary sounds. He played slide guitar in the experimental quartet Low Stroke, and is also the guitarist with Balkan/Gypsy fusion band Gypsy Fever.
HAMISH BALFOUR | PIANO + KEYBOARDS
Hamish has worked with artists such as Incognito, Taj Mahal, Odyssey and recently supported Richard Bona at Pizza Express with his own project. He is the other composer in S|B, and is currently signed to the ISM label. His playing blends the sonorities and techniques of classical piano with a deep understanding of the language of jazz improv, and his lyricism and sensitivity fit the introspective mood of the compositions.
TOM HOOPER | DRUMS + PERCUSSION
Tom's career has taken him all over the world performing and recording with artists as diverse as Grace Jones, Skye (formerly of Morcheeba) , jazz violinist Christian Garrick, the indie band Stroke, Omar, and The Kairos Ensemble.He's also worked with many world-class producers such as Ivor Guest and Matt Butler. Tom's sense of spacial form and subtle lightness of touch gives the compositions an organic, breathing quality.
OLI HAYHURST | BASS
Oli has worked in a wide range of musical styles, playing double bass, bass guitar and guitarron. Over the last 12 years he's played with Gilad Atzmon, Tim Whitehead, Zoe Rahman and Parallelogram. In 2012 he played with Pharoah Sanders' quartet for their European tour. He was also a founder member of The Orient House Ensemble, playing on their first two albums for Enja. Oli's playing brings a deep, melodic voice to the music, which quietly energises the rhythm section.
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