Rupert
Leighton was born in Guildford, England in 1986.
He has always enjoyed listening to music throughout his childhood
but didn't actually start playing until he was 12.
He
was given a keyboard by his parents one Christmas which for a
couple of years remained just a passing interest. However at the
age of 14, he started listening to jazz and blues pianist and
began to teach himself the rudiments of jazz piano.
His ability to play by ear soon led him to create his compositions.
With the benefit of better musical equipment, he added different
styles into his repertoire, such as funk, electronics and Latin
rhythms.
At
16 he started to perform live, playing at clubs and parties in
his area. On leaving school, he set up his own studio and learnt
more about the production and recording of music.
By
18 he had produced a lot of material and in July 2005 released
his debut album 'Beyond Reflection'. The CD combined acoustic
and electric music with funky grooves and rhythms complimented
by jazzy piano. The album achieved radio airplay across the U.S.A.
as well as Europe and Australia, gaining a positive response from
around the world.
Rupert
has recently finished his 2nd album 'Take the Sidewalk, planned
for release in May 2006. ' I think the new album is definitely
more mature and structured. I've learnt a lot over the past year
which I've been able to put into this CD, both musically and production
wise.'
Rupert's
musical influences span various styles from St.Germain and Herbie
Hancock to Prince and Sting.
At
the age of 19 he composes, produces, arranges and performs all
his music, making him a talented one-man band.
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