Dr. RICHARD NILES, composer, guitarist and leader of the acclaimed jazz-fusion orchestra BANDZILLA presents THE BANDZILLA SONGBOOK. 236 pages of leadsheets, keyboard, vocal and guitar parts and lyrics from the CD "BANDZILLA RISES!!!". Also included are transcribed instrumental solos from Randy Brecker, Nigel Hitchcock, Mark Nightingale, Steve Hamilton, John Thirkell and Richard Niles. Each composition is introduced by Niles with information about the recording and photos of the performers. Intermediate to advanced level, the book is essential for students and professionals. QUOTES: "Richard Niles is one of the best composer/arrangers around and a truly exciting musical force." PAT METHENY "BANDZILLA RISES!!! is a really well-crafted work...great production, conception and playing from all concerned!" RANDY BRECKER "Very nice! Super fonky! Holds a place dear to my heart... a very cool project." BOB MINTZER "Incredible playing, music, arrangements, production... Wow!" MARTIN TAYLOR, MBE "Wow! Some pretty hip stuff here, Man! Very entertaining and a very cool new way of treating the big band genre. Bravo!" DAVE KOZ "Every musician on the planet is going to want a copy of this!" DON WAS "It's a masterpiece of contemporary music... the music world needs this recording now more than ever!" DANNY GOTTLIEB "I love the music and your voicings are off the chain. Really creative and well performed. Awesome work." BILL CHAMPLIN "BANDZILLA is a monster in every way - monster charts performed by monster players and singers. A monster joy to listen to!" CHRIS WALDEN "No one else is doing things at this level of creativity and craft. Everyone needs to hear this record." MATTHEW NICHOLL (Berklee College Of Music) "This music is and always will be important, relevant and above all beautiful." DANN GLENN "Classy, sassy...and insanely accomplished!" CORINNE DREWERY (Swing Out Sister) "Absolutely knockout! The Musicianship throughout is a joy to behold." GARY HUSBAND "Richard Niles is one of the most innovative, creative and musical composer/arrangers of our time. Experience the rise!" BLAKE AARON "Richard Niles unleashed in BANDZILLA is like a wonderfully bonkers rollercoaster journey into his expansive musical brain!" STEVE ANDERSON "Great album from a premier composer/arranger!" PETER WHITE CD "BANDZILLA RISES!!!" available from www.bandzilla.net
About the Author: "Niles is one of the best composer/arrangers around and a truly exciting musical force." 20 x Grammy winning artist Pat Metheny Dr. RICHARD NILES' career spans TV & film, pop, R&B, rock and jazz as a composer, producer, songwriter/lyricist, arranger, conductor, BBC broadcaster, recording artist, author and educator. Contributing to over 40 hits, records featuring his work have sold over 250 million copies worldwide. Niles received his PhD from Brunel University and has lectured at Berklee College of Music, USC, UCLA, CalState, Musician's Institute, OCSA, ACM, ICM, LCM, RNCM, Brunel University. Credits: Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, James Brown, Cher, Michael McDonald, Pat Metheny, Mariah Carey, Dusty Springfield, Deniece Williams, Cat Stevens, Roger Daltrey, Bob James, Joe Cocker, Tears for Fears, Pet Shop Boys, Lulu, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Bob Mintzer, Was Not Was, Oliver Reed & The Troggs, Paul Carrack, Jane Monheit, Sarah Brightman, Kylie Minogue, Grace Jones, John Patitucci, Michel Legrand, Kiri Te Kanawa, Placido Domingo, London Philharmonic, The BBC Big Band and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Songs recorded by: Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Deniece Williams, Clive Griffin, Silje Nergaard & Spike Milligan. Books: The Pat Metheny Interviews (Hal Leonard), Polymetrics (Jazzsense), The Invisible Artist (NSM), From Dreaming To Gigging - Jazz Guitar In 6 Months (NSM) Recordings: BANDZILLA - Blue Movies, Santa Rita, Club Deranged, Katalyst BANDZILLA RISES!!! Bandzilla was born on the sessions for Grace Jones' "Slave To The Rhythm" when Niles was asked to form a big band by British trumpeter Guy Barker in 1985. After performing for 10 weeks as the house-band for comedienne Ruby Wax's British TV series, Bandzilla performed and recorded with Paul McCartney, Pet Shop Boys, Ray Charles, James Brown, Pat Kane (Hue & Cry) and Richard Darbyshire (Living In A Box). Niles moved to California from London in 2012. With the invaluable help and advice of co-producer and original Bandzilla member John Thirkell, Niles recorded BANDZILLA RISES!!! (2015 - 2016). The acclaimed album features virtuoso performances of a group of acclaimed international artists. Niles calls it his "finest work." More info: www.bandzilla.net