About
Your appointment as leader of Orchestra of Life has been so amazing…..you have been so incredibly positive about every moment both on and off the stage…there is no other leader like you in the world in my experience..”
Nigel Kennedy May 2010
Born in 1981, Lizzie is a graduate of St.John’s College, Cambridge University, Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music under David Takeno and Yossi Zivoni.Lizzie has performed worldwide giving sell out concerts as a solo and ensemble violinist and more recently vocalist, with Simply Red, Enya, Nigel Kennedy, Buena Vista Social Club and Omara Portuondo, Tom Robinson, Nitin Sawhney, Meatloaf, and many jazz legends such as Gilad Atzmon, Guy Barker, Sir John Dankworth, and has recorded music for films for Michael Nyman and John Williams. As a testimony to her artistic versatility, she was recently handpicked by Nigel Kennedy to be the leader/concertmaster of his brand new Orchestra of Life, which recently completed its first sold out European Tour, and was the highlight of the recent NK Polish Festival held in the Southbank Centre in May 2010.
“a world class performer” Flora Purim and Airto Morena
She has broadcast live on radio and TV as a solo artist and with her bands Eclectica and Classico Latino (who have a specialist focus on Latin American jazz and folk music) on the major BBC Radio and TV channels aswell as in over 15 countries worldwide. She works regularly with acclaimed jazz pianist, arranger and composer, James Pearson and together they are in the newly formed Lizzie Ball Band, who have performed in conjunction with Airto Morena, Digby Fairweather, and Chucho Valdes. Further collaborations both with and for the following people include Sir Richard Branson, Natalie Imbruglia, Rod Stewart, Sir Bob Geldof, Kevin Spacey, Sir Cliff Richard, Il Divo, Westlife, Andrea Bocelli, Philharmonia Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Joanna Macgregor, Efterklang. Lizzie has also led workshops for Britten Sinfonia on the principles of chamber music and how it can be applied to business development for Mclaren Formula One Cars, Saatchi and Saatchi Advertising, and Cambridge University. She has also participated in hundreds of workshops for children, from a massive range of backgrounds and abilities, both as a leader and music associate, in conjunction with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, and many more organizations. (see workshops page for more info)
“Lizzie you are a motherf*&@erette of a musician and leader” Nigel Kennedy
Lizzie recently completed solo tours of Colombia (Classico Latino), Brazil (Lizzie Ball Band) and Mexico (with Machaca, a new classical septet) performing in all the major festivals and venues in each respective country, as a singer and violinist. Her debut solo album “You Held Me”, released on Treeplant Records, was launched at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in December 2009, and Machaca recently launched their debut album of South American classical music “Los Ambulantes” in the South Bank’s Purcell Room as part of the La Linea Latin Music Festival 2010.
“dazzling jazz fiddle” The Strad
“open-minded and versatile” The Guardian
Lizzie recently returned from her debut as a vocal soloist with the Philharmonia Orchestra, performing with them and a 100-piece children’s choir in the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Her next album will be a vocal/violin and piano album with James Pearson, taking inspiration amongst others, from the classic songs of Cole Porter, aswell as lesser known music by ‘salon’ composer Arthur Penn. She has her Wigmore Hall debut alongside Bernard Gregor-Smith for his 65th Birthday celebration, and other very special guests in December 2010, and in 2011 will collaborate with renaissance group New York Polyphony and media artist Bora Yoon in a USA Tour. Other plans include more concerts as leader for Nigel Kennedy and OOL, including the renowned Latitude Festival this July 2010.
“ she is definitely one to watch, both now and in the future”
James Pearson, Artistic Director, Ronnie Scotts
