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Joe Stilgoe
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Key Information
Joe Stilgoe (born 29 May 1979)[1] is an English singer, pianist and songwriter.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Stilgoe was born in Sevenoaks, Kent. He is the son of the lyricist and entertainer Richard Stilgoe,[3] and opera singer Annabel Hunt.[1]
Educated at Sevenoaks School,[4] Stilgoe went on to study music at the University of Southampton[5] achieving a First Class degree. After spending a year performing on cruise ships, Stilgoe continued his musicianship at Trinity College of Music.[6]
Musical career
[edit]During his time at Trinity College, he began to get noticed in bars and clubs, with a long term residency at The Dorchester hotel, London.[7]
Stilgoe's first public engagement was at the Pizza on the Park, London in 2004. Following the performance, Dame Cleo Laine later called Stilgoe in to perform with her and husband Sir John Dankworth on their Radio 2 show Live at the Stables.[7] He then signed with jazz label Candid in 2007, Candid released his debut album I Like This One in 2008 to praise from national press.[8]
In 2007, Stilgoe supported Melody Gardot at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.[9] His debut solo appearance at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2011 with sell-out show 'One Hour!' received a five star review from The Scotsman.[10]
With producer James McMillan, Stilgoe recorded a new album We Look to the Stars, released in July 2012. The album went to number 1 in the Amazon Jazz Chart[11] on its day of release. From the album, "We Should Kiss" was released as a single in July 2012. The single was used by French shoe designer Christian Louboutin in his showcase Fue at Le Crazy Horse in Paris and exhibition at the London Design Museum.[12][13] In February 2014, Stilgoe released a live album Songs on Film, which includes songs from classic American films and Stilgoe's original compositions inspired by them.[14] The album was commercially released by Linn Records on 17 November 2014, alongside his earlier albums. Stilgoe has participated in numerous recording sessions as both a pianist and singer; including the single "Elephant" by Alexandra Burke.
A publishing contract with Kassner Music was signed in 2012, and after a series of album releases, Stilgoe then transferred to the Music Sales Group in 2019. His album first album with the company, The Heat Is On! Swinging the 80s, a big band swing-inspired re-composition of 80s blockbuster themes was released in 2019.[citation needed]
Comedy and radio
[edit]Stilgoe's radio work includes contributions and special guest appearances with Alan Carr, Sir Michael Parkinson and for Friday Night Is Music Night. Stilgoe also appeared on The Now Show in 2011 and 2013, was previously a member of BBC Radio 4's The Horne Section with Alex Horne, and hosts Joe Stilgoe & Friends at Ronnie Scott's, a gala featuring comedians, musicians, and performance acts.
Personal life
[edit]Stilgoe lives in west London with his wife, actress and director Katie Beard.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "What's On: What's On in Liverpool and Merseyside". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
- ^ Quinn.P. (October 2012). Joe Stilgoe "We Look To The Stars",Jazzwise p43.
- ^ Towers.Ian. (2 August 2012). Joe's Keyed Up Over His New Jazz Album, The Weekly News.
- ^ "Sevenoaks | Senior Only Mixed Independent School | Kent (See also London – Outer)". Guide to Independent Schools. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ "Where are they now?". Southampton.ac.uk. 25 October 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ "New album from Trinity Laban jazz impresario | News". Trinity Laban. 19 June 2012. Archived from the original on 26 December 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ a b "Joe Stilgoe". Bosentertainment.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ "Jazz label Candid release Joe Stilgoe's debut". Blueprostudios.com. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ "Melody Gardot & Joe Stilgoe". Remotegoat.co.uk. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ "PRESS". Joe Stilgoe. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ "Joe Stilgoe No. 1 in Jazz Chart". Absolutemarketing.co.uk. 2 July 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ "Fashionair – The Making of Dancer in a Daydream With Christian Louboutin". YouTube. 23 March 2010. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ a b Helliker. Adam, 'Katie beard Gets Expensive Heels for Engagement Present', Sunday Express. Sunday 15 April 2012
- ^ "joe-stilgoe-jazz-comedy-radio-2". joestilgoe.com. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
Joe Stilgoe
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Early life
Joe Stilgoe was born on 29 May 1979 in Sevenoaks, Kent, England. He is the youngest of five children born to lyricist, songwriter, and entertainer Richard Stilgoe and opera singer Annabel Hunt.[2][5] Richard Stilgoe is renowned for his contributions to musical theater, including co-writing shows like Cats and Starlight Express, as well as his work as a television personality and broadcaster.[5] Annabel Hunt, a professional opera singer, gained recognition for performances such as L'Umana Fragilità in Peter Hall's production of Monteverdi's Ulisse.[5][6] Growing up in Sevenoaks, Stilgoe was immersed in a musical household where his parents' professions created a constant backdrop of creativity and performance.[7] The family environment frequently featured live music, with his father composing and performing songs at home and his mother practicing operatic arias, fostering an early appreciation for diverse genres from classical to popular.[7][2] This exposure shaped his innate interest in music, as his parents actively supported and occasionally enforced musical practice, providing a rich, informal education in the arts.[7] During his childhood school years in Sevenoaks, Stilgoe developed his initial musical interests through hands-on experiences with the piano and singing.[7] He began studying classical piano, influenced by a broad spectrum of artists introduced by his family, including Buddy Holly, The Beatles, Bach, Bill Evans, Billie Holiday, and Burt Bacharach.[7] Alongside piano, he started singing as a child, blending these skills in informal settings that sparked his passion for performance and improvisation.[7][2]Education
Stilgoe attended Sevenoaks School in Kent, where he received classical training in piano and singing as part of his early formal education.[7] During his time there, he participated in musical activities, including performances with the school's big band, which helped nurture his interest in jazz and ensemble playing.[8] This schooling built on his family's musical heritage, providing a foundation in structured performance and vocal techniques.[7] He then pursued higher education at the University of Southampton, initially studying philosophy before switching to music to align with his passions.[9] There, he earned a First Class degree, with significant emphasis on extracurricular musical pursuits such as jazz improvisation and group performances that expanded his collaborative skills.[9] These experiences at Southampton honed his ability to blend academic rigor with practical musicianship, preparing him for advanced specialized study. Stilgoe continued his training at Trinity College of Music in London, where he focused on piano performance, composition, and vocal techniques in a jazz context.[7] This postgraduate work exposed him to influential educators and peers who emphasized creative songwriting and live improvisation, bridging his academic background to broader artistic aspirations through hands-on ensemble work and mentorship in professional-level performance.[10] The environment at Trinity fostered connections that reinforced his development as a multifaceted musician.[7]Musical career
Early career
Joe Stilgoe's professional music career commenced with his debut performance at the renowned cabaret venue Pizza on the Park in London in 2004, where he showcased his skills as a singer and pianist in an intimate jazz setting. This appearance marked his entry into the London jazz scene, drawing on the foundational training he received at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Early in his career, Stilgoe performed in diverse ensembles, including pit bands for musicals, wedding bands, and funk groups, while also taking on arranging work for established artists such as Jamie Cullum and Diana Krall.[7] By 2007, Stilgoe had gained momentum, serving as the support act for jazz vocalist Melody Gardot at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, an event that highlighted his emerging presence in the contemporary jazz circuit.[11] That same year, he signed with the jazz label Candid Records, which released his debut album I Like This One in 2008, further solidifying his professional trajectory.[11] These early opportunities allowed him to refine his songwriting. Stilgoe developed his signature style during this period, blending elements of swing, blues, pop, and jazz to create a fresh, theatrical sound inspired by figures like Fats Waller and Nat King Cole.[12] This fusion emphasized virtuosic piano playing, witty lyrics, and audience engagement, distinguishing him in intimate club environments. In 2010, he secured management with Nick Stewart & Associates and established affiliations with NSA Productions, providing crucial support for his growing profile.[13]Recordings and discography
Joe Stilgoe's recording career spans a diverse range of jazz-infused pop, original compositions, and thematic tributes, with eleven albums released between 2008 and 2025. His debut, I Like This One, marked his entry into the music scene with a collection of witty, piano-driven originals that showcased his songwriting prowess. Released on Candid Records, the album featured six tracks blending humor and melody, establishing his signature style of sophisticated entertainment.[14] Subsequent releases expanded on this foundation, incorporating jazz standards reimagined through his lens. We Look to the Stars (2012, NS&A Production) topped the UK Jazz & Blues Albums Chart upon release and also reached number one on the Amazon Jazz Chart, highlighting tracks like "We Should Kiss," which was issued as a promotional single.[15] By 2014, Songs on Film Live (Beard Records) paid homage to cinematic scores, capturing live energy with selections from film soundtracks, while New Songs for Old Souls (2015, Linn Records) returned to originals, including the single "Totally." Stilgoe's discography evolved toward thematic explorations in the late 2010s and beyond. The Heat Is On! Swinging the 80s (2019, Silva Screen Records) reinterpreted 1980s hits in a big-band jazz swing style, demonstrating his versatility in bridging eras. That same year, Joe Stilgoe's Christmas Album (Storyville Records) offered seasonal jazz interpretations. Stilgoe In The Shed (2020, Silva Screen Records) emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic as an intimate, home-recorded project that also topped the UK Jazz & Blues Albums Chart. Later works emphasized theatrical and collaborative elements. Theatre (2022, Westway Music), featuring the Metropole Orkest and guest vocalists like Anna Jane Casey and Louise Dearman, celebrated musical theater with orchestral arrangements and reached number one on the UK Jazz & Blues Albums Chart. In 2024, Pulman & Stilgoe: A Couple of Swells (with Liza Pulman) captured their duo's live chemistry through 10 tracks of classic standards and medleys, blending vocal jazz with comedic flair. His most recent album, Welcome to the Club (2025, Westway Music), evokes the vibrancy of jazz clubs with 10 original songs performed alongside his band, The Entertainers, continuing his tradition of immersive, narrative-driven recordings.[16][17] Overall, five of Stilgoe's albums have topped the UK Jazz chart, underscoring his consistent commercial success in the genre: We Look to the Stars, New Songs for Old Souls, Stilgoe In The Shed, The Heat Is On! Swinging the 80s, and Theatre. This body of work reflects a progression from personal originals to genre-blending tributes, all unified by his piano-centric arrangements and lyrical wit.[2]| Album Title | Release Year | Label | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| I Like This One | 2008 | Candid Records | Debut studio album; 6 original tracks |
| We Look to the Stars | 2012 | NS&A Production | #1 UK Jazz & Blues Albums Chart; #1 Amazon Jazz Chart; single: "We Should Kiss" |
| Songs on Film Live | 2014 | Beard Records | Live recordings of film-inspired songs |
| New Songs for Old Souls | 2015 | Linn Records | Original compositions; single: "Totally" |
| Songs on Film: The Sequel | 2016 | Linn Records | Follow-up to film tributes |
| The Heat Is On! Swinging the 80s | 2019 | Silva Screen Records | #1 UK Jazz & Blues Albums Chart; 1980s swing covers |
| Joe Stilgoe's Christmas Album | 2019 | Storyville Records | Seasonal jazz interpretations |
| Stilgoe In The Shed | 2020 | Silva Screen Records | #1 UK Jazz & Blues Albums Chart; pandemic-era home recordings |
| Theatre | 2022 | Westway Music | #1 UK Jazz & Blues Albums Chart; with Metropole Orkest |
| Pulman & Stilgoe: A Couple of Swells | 2024 | Universal UK | Collaboration with Liza Pulman; 10 tracks of standards |
| Welcome to the Club | 2025 | Westway Music | Originals with The Entertainers; jazz club theme |