MUSIC
Combining energetic performance with 30 years experience and raw talent, Oliver Gray is an influential Musician on the Brussels music and theatre scene.
He was a driving force in the bands Fusion and Crossroads and recently played in duos with 'Juju Vagabond' Jeavons, Paul Meller. and John Walsh. Oliver has been composing songs and tunes for over 30 years. He has won several prizes for his compositions and contribution to music in the UK and Belgium.
MY MUSIC STORY
I've been involved in playing, arranging, directing and composing music for over 40 years. I first started in the mid 80s at Bath University putting together a band and music to perform the nativity from the Mysteries Plays. I was awarded the Linley prize for outstanding contribution to music. On arrival in Brussels I played with the Uccle Philharmonic and joined Irish-English folk covers band Crossroads which later developed into the musical partnership between myself and Johan Demeyer. Crossroads performed all over Belgium, France and the Netherlands through the 1990s till 2012 releasing 2CDs Back to our Roots and Expecting. I also performed in the group Roue Libre specialising in Belgian and French folk music and later in the hybrid group Fusion alongside Christine Lurquin which specialised in both European folk repertoire and Christmas music. Fusion released 2 CDs, a live compilation and Christmas Blessings. I've directed and composed music for a number of theatrical productions including Richard Corke's leg, A Month of Sundays, Midsummer Nights Dream, The Bronte's and First World War centenary. Recently I formed duos with singer songwriters Juju Vagabond Jeavons and also with Paul Meller. I released in 2022 my home recorded self penned concept 2CD album, A Different Destination. Currently working on 2 new CD projects, one of singersongwriter songs/tunes and another more folk influecned music in collaboration with others. Also incidental music to animate my watercolours. In 2022 I was awarded first prize in the Belgian Folknam competitions for both original folk music and for interpretation of a traditional Wallon air.
A Different Destination
A 2CD set released June 2022
A Journey of Challenge, Creation and Discovery
24 songs and tunes are on this album! An eclectic mix of music styles folk, classical, rock, blues, singer songwriter and even old style rap.
First ideas were recorded on my phone over 3 days in Feb 2021 almost a year into covid and lockdowns. I searched to overcome frustration, distress, deception at the lack of progress in dealing with the debilitating effects of long covid. It affected not only the physical but also the cognitive and senses… It shook my very psyche.
Friends encouraged me to do the things I liked. Express musically my journey to get to a different place. That’s when I realised it had to be about the learning experience whether internal or external. One where the search led to finding another destination more positive, sustainable, and embraced change.
This project includes contributions from friends, neighbours and family who helped me. It is my way in all respect of saying thanks. The music styles are many. Sometimes classical, folk, singer songwriter, blues. I recorded when well enough and with no score, just adding layers. I make no apologies for tracks much longer than the conventional. I’m too old. The result is more a concept album and I will never do another like it. It was not the CD I originally had in mind and will still do.
The whole CD is on Bandcamp
https://olivergraybxl.bandcamp.com/album/a-different-destination