Amy May is a multi-instrumentalist, arranger and composer. She
plays for a variety of bands and ensembles, principally as a viola
player, violinist and singer. Amy also works extensively as an
arranger and orchestrator for bands and artists, alongside her own
group, Paris Motel. She writes music for adverts, films and library
music.
Amy trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama as a viola
player and composer, after seven years as a junior exhibitioner at
the same school. After her studies she worked for the Sanctuary
Music Group in order to learn about all aspects of the music
business, whilst continuing to play and write. She then returned to
freelance music work, beginning with a large-scale project
orchestrating music from guitarist Jeff Beck's back catalogue. She
wrote and recorded an album for her new band, Paris Motel, and
began to perform as a singer. Soon the group was touring Europe,
the UK and America, to great critical acclaim. At this time Amy co-
founded Hotel Records with Joe Smith from Rough Trade, which
released the first two Paris Motel albums and EP.
After forming Paris Motel, Amy's passion for popular music allowed
her to work with some of the world's most interesting, innovative
and exciting artists and bands. She has toured extensively as a viola
player and singer with Elbow, Snow Patrol, Hurts, Cerys Matthews,
The Heritage Orchestra and others. She has performed with The
Killers, Dizzee Rascal, Jessie J, Joker, Muse, James Morrison, The
Kooks, John Cale, Patrick Wolf, Chase & Status, UNKLE, Imogen
Heap, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Jamie Cullum, Michael Buble,
The Enemy, Dirty Pretty Things, Mr. Hudson, Sarah Blasko, Suggs
and others. She has worked as a session player on albums for
dozens of artists including Razorlight, Professor Green, Emile Sandi,
The Streets, KT Tunstall, Dizzee Rascal, Eric Prydz, The Enemy,
Jonathan Jeremiah and many more. She is currently working in the
West End, as a violist and violinist on ?Ghost: The Musical?.
Amy combines performing and recording with her work as a
composer and arranger. Her music is published by Faber and she
orchestrates and arranges for bands and artists from SBTRKT to
Muse. She is currently developing a concert series called ?Under The
Covers? where artists and bands play their favourite albums,
accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Amy also writes original
music for commercials and film, for companies such as Channel 4,
KPM and Stella Artois, alongside her songs for Paris Motel. Amy is
also currently developing a multimedia performance called 'Journey
To The South' which is based on a series of train journeys crossing
India, based on Chaucer?s Canterbury Tales.
Amy runs several ensembles and groups. She is part of Fable, a
string quartet which specialises in contemporary music. She has a
monthly contemporary music night as part of the Karamel Music
Club, based in a venue in North London. She runs the May Ensemble
which provides musicians for corporate and event work. She also
plays with the Heritage Orchestra as the principal viola. (Retracter)...(lire la suite)
