Ivo Neame

Key details:

Department:
Jazz
Role:
Piano
Ivo Neame

Biography & Pure profile

Ivo Neame is an internationally renowned pianist, composer, and bandleader who has
established himself as one of the most innovative and dynamic figures in the contemporary
jazz scene. He has worked with ensembles as diverse as the Frankfurt Radio Big Band and the
London Sinfonietta. He is best known for his creative contributions to the award-winning
bands Phronesis and the Marius Neset Quintet; as a sideman he has collaborated with
numerous other artists such as Hermeto Pascoal, Kenny Wheeler and Marc Guiliana. Ivo’s
music is characterised by a stunning mix of virtuosity, sophistication, and playfulness - his
performances are known for their dynamic energy and emotional depth. His tenth album
under his own name “Zettalogue” was released on Ubuntu Music in October 2024. In recent
years he has also received commissions to compose and arrange music for ensembles such
as the Cologne Contemporary Jazz Orchestra (Germany) and the Sointi Jazz Orchestra
(Finland).


"Some of the most engaging jazz you’ll hear this year" LONDON JAZZ SCENE


“Ivo Neame is one of the very best jazz pianists on the UK scene” BANDCAMP DAILY


“That Neame is one of the most interesting jazz pianists of his generation may be clear. The
years of almost constantly being on the road with bands has given him a prominent role in the
front line of British jazz” WRITTEN IN JAZZ

 

Awards and honours include:

  • Album of the year 2010, Jazzwise Magazine (Phronesis)
  • Album of the year 2010, MOJO Magazine (Phronesis)
  • Best Jazz Act 2011, MOBO Awards (Kairos Quartet)
  • UK Jazz Instrumentalist of the year 2012 (nominated) Jazz FM Awards
  • Jazz Ensemble of the year 2017, Parliamentary Jazz Awards (Phronesis)
  • Jazz Composition for Large Ensemble 2021 (nominated) IVORS Composer Awards
     

Ivo is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, an Associate Member of PRS and a
Professor of Jazz Piano at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. He is also a member of
the Featured Artists’ Coalition and a member of the Ivors Academy Jazz Committee.