Wednesday 30 January saw two prominent Birmingham-baed musicians coming together at Symphony Hall: local jazz icon Andy Hamilton and X-Factor sensation Rhydian Roberts - Rhydian to receive his honours degree from Birmingham City University’s Conservatoire and Andy to be made an Honorary Fellow of the institution.

In many ways, the two musicians could not be more different: 89-year old Andy Hamilton is a self-styled jazz saxophonist whose astonishingly long and fruitful career has favoured educational and inspirational work over personal stardom. Given in recognition of his services to Jazz and community cohesion, the bestowing of this Honorary Fellowship is Andy’s second public honour in Britain: he was, only weeks ago, made an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.

In contrast, 24-year old baritone Rhydian Roberts recently shot to stardom due to his success in X-Factor and is currently living life in a media spotlight. Classically trained to the highest level at specialist music college Birmingham City University’s Conservatoire, Rhydian clearly has big things ahead of him. What the two have in common, however, is more important: they both share a passion and a talent for music.

Andy Hamilton is a Birmingham legend and stalwart of the Midlands jazz scene. Born in Jamaica in 1918, he learned to play a home-made bamboo saxophone at age 10 and has been performing ever since. Andy moved to Britain in 1949 to pursue a career as a performer, composer and teacher and, now looking forward to his 90th birthday in March, is still an active bandleader.

For the last 58 years, in one of the most challenging multi-cultural areas of Britain, he has used his musical talent to reach out across all ethnicities and classes to identify and nurture young talent. His monthly concerts pack Symphony Hall’s Foyer; he is resident artist at The Drum; and he continues to organise weekly sessions at his venue in Bearwood where, for over 20 years he has regularly invited many of the greatest international names in jazz to perform and work with his students.

It was not until 1991 (at the age of 72) that Andy made his first recording, but the record, Silvershine became the biggest selling UK jazz album of the year and was chosen by The Times as its Jazz Album of the Year. Four months older than Nelson Mandela, when Andy and his band played at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in 2006 on his first visit to Africa, he received a rapturous reception in the national press and a personal visit from Archbishop Tutu.

Andy’s own large family (10 children, including two sons who are talented jazz musicians in their own right) is supplemented by a much broader ‘family’ of thousands, made up of students, fellow musicians, friends and admirers.

In January, Rhydian signed a record deal with Sony BMG, reportedly worth £1 million. He is currently performing a string of 27 dates as part of the national X-Factor Tour, including two dates in Birmingham. With rumours of at least one major stage role circulating, it’s clear that Rhydian’s first-class training is paying dividends.

Having moved from Wales to study at Birmingham Conservatoire, Rhydian had lessons with Adrian Clarke and then Christine Cairns, experiencing a great deal of success even during his student years. Notably, he was the first singer from outside London to win the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary for Young Singers. He was also cast by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s Musical Director Sakari Oramo in the role of Morales in the Orchestra’s semi-staged performance of Carmen. He secured leading roles in virtually all of the Conservatoire’s major classical operas and musicals during his time as a student, working extensively with director Michael Barry and other leading professionals.

Rhydian Roberts’ graduation will see the star reunited with his Conservatoire classmates for the day, many of whom he will not have seen since finishing his studies in 2007. Along with many others, Rhydian will receive his degree in the dignified and magnificent setting of Symphony Hall, reinforcing the fact that he is one exceptionally talented musician among many, each of whom is at the start of their career and each of whom has the potential to achieve great things as a result of the training they received in Birmingham.

Conservatoire Principal, Professor George Caird, who will participate in the ceremony, said: "It’s fantastic to be able to welcome Andy Hamilton and Rhydian Roberts on to the stage during the same event. Both have given so much to what they do and both have achieved great things for Birmingham in their own way. On behalf of the Conservatoire and Birmingham City University, I offer congratulations to Andy and Rhydian, as well as all our other talented graduates, and wish them all the best for their continued successes."

For further information please contact Birmingham City University Media Relations Office on 0121 331 6738, email press@bcu.ac.uk or out of hours on 07967 271 532.

15 October 2007

X Factor finalist Rhydian Roberts may have rubbed judges Sharon Osbourne and Simon Cowell up the wrong way but according to his former lecturer and mentor, he’s a passionate, dedicated and genuine individual whose reputation for being conceited is unjust.

Director of Theatre Studies Michael Barry at Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University, where baritone Rhydian graduated with First Class honours in the summer says:

"Rhydian was a star pupil at the Conservatoire from the very beginning. What may come across as conceit is actually passion for what he’s doing, and a justified belief in himself. He has an exceptional talent which is apparent to all who see and hear him perform, which is why he has made it through to the final stages of the X Factor."

Originally from Powys, Wales, Rhydian has had a great deal of success since moving to Birmingham five years ago to study at the Conservatoire, where he had lessons first with Adrian Clarke and then with Christine Cairns.

Notably, he was the first singer from outside London to win the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary for Young Singers, beating 13 other second-year vocal students from music colleges around the UK. An esteemed panel of judges composed of internationally renowned singers remarked on his ‘formidable talent’ and his ‘immediate connection with the audience’.

In his second year he was also auditioned on Barry’s recommendation by the CBSO’s Musical Director Sakari Oramo and cast immediately in the role of Morales in the CBSO’s semi-staged performance of Carmen. Other successes include winning the Cecil Drew Oratorio Prize and securing leading roles in virtually all of the Conservatoire’s major classical operas and musicals during his time as a student.

One of Rhydians starring roles was in the Conservatoire’s production of the gothic musical Jekyll and Hyde, which tells the macabre story of Dr Henry Jekyll’s battle with his alter ego, the evil Edward Hyde.

Michael says, "Rhydian was a smash hit with audiences in his portrayal of the tortured two-faced genius, but he’s most certainly not the monster Sharon makes him out to be in real life.

"On behalf of all the staff and students at Birmingham Conservatoire, I just want to say Rhydian, you’re definitely Jekyll and not Hyde and we wish you every success in the first studio programme next Saturday. Sharon, don’t get Rid of Rhydian!"