Geoff Sewell

Geoffrey David Sewell (born 13 March 1972) is a tenor from New Zealand. He is a classical crossover singer, a multi platinum selling international recording artist, impresario, entrepreneur, creator and CEO of London-based entertainment company Incognito Artists,[1] and co-creator of the world's first 'pop-opera', classical crossover band Amici Forever.

Geoffrey David Sewell
Background information
Born13 March 1972
OriginNew Zealand
GenresClassical music, opera, Pop-Opera
Occupation(s)Recording artist, entrepreneur, ceo of Incognito Artists
InstrumentsVoice (Tenor)
LabelsIncognito Artists[1]
Associated actsAmici Forever
Websitewww.geoffsewell.co.uk

Career

Sewell worked as a chartered accountant in New Zealand with the National Bank[2] and later in London at Salomon Smith Barney.[3] He worked part-time at recruitment companies Robert Walters and Joslin Rowe in London, while also performing on the West End, before leaving to start up his own company.

Sewell, his wife Simone Lanham and creative manager Tim Rogers created Incognito Artists in London in 2000.[1] Sewell is Global CEO and tenor of the company which creates surprise performances. Performers blend incognito into parties and events before singing and dancing. They also perform full concerts.

Sewell became an international classical crossover star in the so-called "opera band" Amici Forever[4][5] before leaving the singing group in 2006 and embarking upon a solo career. Sewell moved to London, England, in 1997 after completing his studies at the Boston Conservatory of Music in the United States. After arriving in London, he performed on the West End and got into the music business with his wife, first founding the group Tenors Incognito and then other variations of the group before ultimately the duo founded the classical crossover group Amici Forever in 2002. The original line-up consisted of two tenors (Sewell, David Habbin), a baritone-bass (Nick Garrett), and two soprano singers (Jo Appleby, Tsakane Valentine).[6]

Sewell has had three No.1 albums with Amici's "The Opera Band" and "Defined," and his own solo debut, "Believe",[7] reaching over 3.5 million album sales worldwide. He toured New Zealand with Incognito Artists and achieved a No.1 selling DVD with his Live in Concert DVD.[8] He has toured and had chart success in the United Kingdom, America, Japan, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

With Amici Forever, he was nominated for a Classical Brit Award in the UK for best album.

He has sung for the Queen, Princes Charles, William and Harry and members of the Royal Family at The Royal Albert Hall, Windsor Castle and other venues; Nelson Mandela; and various celebrities such as Sir Elton John, Leonardo DiCaprio and Victoria and David Beckham.[9][10]

Despite the success of Amici Forever, Sewell left the group suddenly after his eldest daughter Sienna was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2006.[9][11] He sidelined his music career for a couple years before releasing his solo album debut, "Believe," produced by Nick Patrick, in 2008. Sewell then publicised autism awareness; for instance, he released Believe on the date of his daughter's fifth birthday and discussed treating autism at all media interviews.[12][13]

He is an ambassador of the St. James Theatre in London, which opened in September 2012.[14]

Education and personal life

Sewell was born in Wellington. His older sister Julie died when she was 22. Sewell credits her loss as his inspiration to pursue his dreams of a singing career against all odds.[3]

Sewell was educated at Plimmerton Primary School in Wellington; Havelock North Intermediate and Havelock North High School, Hawkes Bay.[15] Sewell was a boy soprano in the school choir[16] and later took singing lessons from New Zealand opera singer Geoffrey De la Tour while working in Wellington as a chartered accountant. He gained a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the Victoria University of Wellington. Sewell attended the Boston Conservatory of Music in the United States studying opera and musical theatre.

Discography

Amici Forever – The Opera Band – UK and US and Japan editions (CD)
Amici Forever – The Opera Band Tour Edition with bonus tracks (CD)
Amici Forever – Olympia (BBC TV Olympics) (Single, CD)[6]
Amici Forever – Defined (CD)
Amici Forever – Defined – Australia and New Zealand Tour Edition with bonus tracks (CD)
Amici Forever PBS Special DVD
Geoff Sewell – Believe (CD)[17]
Incognito Artists – self-titled (CD)
Geoff Sewell – Believe Tour Edition with Incognito Artists album
Geoff Sewell and Incognito Artists Live in Concert DVD
Amici Forever, Nessun Dorma, Voices from the FIFA World Cup (CD)
Amici Forever, Senza Catene, Bravo 1 (CD)
Amici Forever, The Prayer, Bravo Act II (CD)
Geoff Sewell, O Sole Mio, Bravo Act II (CD)
Geoff Sewell, How Great Thou Art (credited as Howard Morrison but in fact Geoff Sewell's recording), Simply The Best Voices (CD)
Geoff Sewell, You'll Never Walk Alone, Simply The Best Voices (CD)

Concerts

FA Cup Final, Cardiff, Wales 2002[6]
Champions League Final, Manchester, England 2003
Amici Forever – numerous tours of the UK, Australia, America, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan – 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Geoff Sewell and Incognito Artists tour of New Zealand, 2009
Christmas in the Park Auckland, NZ 2007
Classical Proms Christchurch, NZ 2008
Serenata, Classical Festival, Dorset, England 2010
Charity concert for Project K, Craggy Range, Hawkes Bay, NZ 2011[15]
Geoff Sewell and Bravo Amici, Lynn University, Boca Raton, USA 2012
Geoff Sewell and Bravo Amici, Lynn University, Boca Raton, USA 2013
ASB Tennis Classic, Auckland, NZ 2013[18]
Geoff Sewell and Incognito Artists, St James Theatre – April, May, July, September, October; London 2013
Geoff Sewell and Bravo Amici, Moscow 2013
Bravo Amici, 16 tour dates in Florida, 2014

Sporting anthems

He has performed the national anthems at the FA Cup Final,[6] the Champions League Final, the Rugby World Cup,[19] the Rugby League World Cup Final,[6] The Six Nations, various rugby fixtures at Twickenham, at the ASB Tennis Classic in Auckland, NZ and on centre court at Wimbledon.[20]

Awards

With Amici Forever, Sewell was nominated for a Classical Brit Award in the UK for best album. Sewell has won various accolades for his performance and philanthropic activities during his career, including 'Air NZ New Zealander of the Year' runner up,[21] International Young Chartered Accountant of the Year and the youngest ever NZ Chartered Accountant to be awarded Fellowship status, FCA. In October 2018 he was presented with the International Achievement Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand.

Charity

Sewell established 'The Geoff & Simone Sewell Foundation' 2010 (NZ) helping families in New Zealand to treat their children affected by autism. Sewell and Lanham believe recovery is possible using child-centric, appropriate healing interventions because of their own experience with their daughter.[22]

Sewell personally supports charitable organisations Treating Autism (UK); the Autism Trust (UK) and the National Society of Epilepsy (UK) as well as orchestrating hundreds of appearances and contributions to charitable events around the world as part of Incognito Artists since 2000.[23][24]

References
  1. "Geoff Sewell and Incognito Artists". St James Theatre. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  2. "Reach for sky says superstar | Hawke's Bay Today". Hawkesbaytoday.co.nz. 27 November 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  3. "How I Made It: Geoff Sewell | Entrepreneur Feature". MoneyMaker Magazine. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  4. "Amici Forever". YouTube. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  5. "Arias and accountancy – Life & Style – NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. 19 October 2004. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  6. Oakes, Keily (30 August 2004). "Entertainment | Olympic effort from Amici Forever". BBC News. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  7. "Geoff Sewell | Amplifier NZ Music". Amplifier.co.nz. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  8. "Geoff Sewell & Incognito – Live in Concert | Amplifier NZ Music". Amplifier.co.nz. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  9. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/sewells-a-believer/story-e6frf96f-1111116230386
  10. "The Popera Cafe presented by Incognito Artists". St James Theatre. 14 July 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  11. "Opera band star gives up group – National – NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. 25 January 2006. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  12. "Geoff Sewell Biography – ARTISTdirect Music". Artistdirect.com. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  13. "Stars team up to raise autism awareness (+video) – National – NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. 1 May 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  14. Geoff Sewell and Incognito Artists|St James Theatre
  15. Have your say " BELINDA HENLEY 17 October 2011 8:41 AM (17 October 2011). "Superstar serenade up for grabs | Hawke's Bay Today". Hawkesbaytoday.co.nz. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  16. "'Popera' star coming home | Hawke's Bay Today". Hawkesbaytoday.co.nz. 3 December 2005. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  17. Geoff Sewell (7 April 2008). "Geoff Sewell | Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  18. "It's party central at centre court – National – NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. 29 December 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  19. "New Zealand National Anthem performed by Geoff Sewell at Rugby League World Cup 2008". YouTube. 25 November 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  20. My Event World – Geoff Sewell
  21. Everett, Charlotte. "FINALISTS FOR THE 2010 NEW ZEALANDER OF THE YEAR (UK) ANNOUNCED | New Zealand News UK". Nznewsuk.co.uk. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  22. "Geoff Sewell on Close Up". YouTube. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  23. "Geoff Sewell of Amici Forever Raising NZ Autism Awareness – Eventfinda". Eventfinder.co.nz. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  24. "(HWI) – Hayley performs at Super Rugby match at Twickenham Stadium". Hayley Westenra International. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
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