Joe Stilgoe
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Joe Stilgoe | |
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| Background information | |
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| Genres | Swing, blues, pop |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter |
| LabelTemplate:Pluralize from text | Candid, NSA Productions; management: Nick Stewart & Associates |
| Website | www |
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Joe Stilgoe (born 29 May 1979)[1] is an English singer, pianist and songwriter.[2]
Early life and education
Stilgoe was born in Sevenoaks, Kent. He is the son of the lyricist and entertainer Richard Stilgoe,[3] and opera singer Annabel Hunt.[1]
Educated at Sevenoaks School,[4] Stilgoe went on to study music at the University of Southampton[5] achieving a First Class degree. After spending a year performing on cruise ships, Stilgoe continued his musicianship at Trinity College of Music.[6]
Musical career
Joe Stilgoe is a British singer, pianist and songwriter. He has released multiple studio albums, several of which have reached No. 1 on the UK Jazz Chart. Stilgoe performs both as a solo artist and with ensembles, and has appeared with orchestras including the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Hallé, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Combining dazzling technique with wit, elegance and an instinctive connection to audiences, he has earned a reputation as a true modern entertainer - “musical virtuosity with a swashbuckling stage presence” (The Guardian), and “one of the best singer-pianists in the world” (The Sunday Times).
Recording Career
Stilgoe has released ten solo albums across his career. Several of his recordings have reached No. 1 on the UK Jazz Chart.
His 2022 album THEATRE, recorded with the Metropole Orkest and launched at the Barbican with the BBC Concert Orchestra, marked a major artistic high point. Produced by Steve Power and arranged by Tom Richards, it was hailed as “an album you just cannot stop playing” (The Observer), confirming his status as an artist capable of combining scale, sophistication and personality in equal measure.
In 2026, he released Welcome to the Club, a collaboration with clarinettist Giacomo Smith. The record stands as their love letter to jazz clubs: a vivid, affectionate and often witty portrait of the characters, atmosphere and late-night magic that define the scene
Performance and Touring
Stilgoe is a regular live performer in the United Kingdom and internationally. His work includes concert tours, theatre productions, and performances with major orchestras. He collaborates frequently with British jazz legend Guy Barker, notably Barker's recent suite for big band - Inferno 67 which premiered at Ronnie Scotts. Stilgoe co-wrote three of the songs. He performs in jazz clubs, festivals and concert halls around the world, recently appearing for the first time at Birdland New York.
He collaborates with orchestras including the BBC Concert Orchestra, The Halle, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The John Wilson Orchestra and has a strong relationship with the RTE Concert Orchestra, with whom he toured Ireland in 2026 with his first headline show.
His stage productions include A Tribute to Gene Kelly, Songs on Film, Songs On Film The Sequel, and performances with his big band. In 2026, he toured the UK with singer Liza Pulman in Hooray for Hollywood, which concluded with a run in London's West End.
He collaborates frequently with Hannah Waddingham, appearing with her and the London Community Gospel Choir in 2024 to open the Olivier Awards and also that year at the BAFTA film awards.
He curated intimate shows at cabaret club Crazy Coqs featured collaborations with a host of famous names including Harry Hill, Rufus Hound, Sharon D Clarke, Mel Giedroyc, Rob Brydon and Damian Lewis.
He has also performed at high-profile private events, including many appearances in the presence of the royal family.
Broadcasting and Other Work
In the pandemic of 2020, Stilgoe launched Stilgoe In The Shed, an online performance series that attracted over 250,000 viewers worldwide, raised money for a local NHS charity and led to a successful album. [7]
He was a founder member of The Horne Section, leaving the group after the BBC Radio 4 series Alex Horne Presents The Horne Section, for which Stilgoe wrote many of the songs. [8]
He has presented for BBC Radio 2 and 3 and is a regular on Radio 4's Add To Playlist. [9]
BBC Radio 2 - Joe Stilgoe Live At The Lyric, Jingle Bell Joe (featuring Caro Emerald, Damian Lewis, Cerys Matthews), One Night Stand at Ronnie Scotts (an un-broadcast pilot featuring Tim Minchin, Heather Headley, Denis King, SK Shlomo).
Jazz FM - The Arrangers, Joe Stilgoe's Christmas
Composition and Theatre Work
In addition to his performing career, Stilgoe has composed music for theatre productions, including adaptations of The Jungle Book with Jessica Swale and Max Webster, and David Walliams’ The Midnight Gang at Chichester Festival Theatre .
He has collaborated with Julia Donaldson on stage adaptations of Zog, Zog and the Flying Doctors, and The Baddies. He is also developing new musical theatre projects, including Hooked, with Gary Barlow and Jason Manford. [10]
Musical Style and Influences
Stilgoe's work combines elements of jazz, swing, and popular song. Critics have compared his performance style to that of Harry Connick Jr., and have noted influences including Danny Kaye, Nat King Cole, and Dudley Moore.
Discography
Studio albums
- I Like This One (2008)
- We Look to the Stars (2012)
- Songs on Film (2014)
- New Songs for Old Souls (2015)
- Songs on Film: The Sequel (2016)
- The Heat Is On! (2019)
- Joe Stilgoe's Christmas Album (2019)
- Stilgoe in the Shed (2020)
- Theatre (2022)
- Welcome to the Club (2025)
Selected collaborations and appearances
- Our Kind of Music (with Michael Parkinson, 2017)
- A Swinging Big Band Christmas (2017)
- Time and Place (with Claire Martin 2014)
- A Couple of Swells (with Liza Pulman 2024)
What The Press Says
“One of the best singer-pianists in the world” The Sunday Times
“A very British version of Harry Connick Jr” The Times
“One of the most enjoyable gigs I’ve seen all year” 5 stars Jazzwise
“His stagecraft is without peer” Broadway World
“As good as it gets” London Theatre
“An album you just cannot stop playing...A songwriter of uncommon originality” 5 stars The Observer
“Sheer joy” 5 stars The Scotsman
“He writes the songs, sings them, plays them and creates the arrangements –all with a panache that leaves the
rest of us bug-eyed...” The Observer
“Dapper, handsome and quick witted...and gifted with dazzling digits” The Times
“A jazz pianist and songwriter of considerable talent and no less charm” The Guardian
“Joyful” Mail on Sunday
“Musical virtuoso” The Independent
“Complete genius” The Herald
“More talent than you can shake a walking stick at.” David Finkle, Back Stage, New York
“He is every bit the musical marvel that his last name might suggest. You'd do well to remember it since, I trust, you'll be hearing a lot more from Joe Stilgoe in the future.” Lynn DiMenna - Cabaret Scenes, New York
What Real People Say
“A truly remarkable singer songwriter, not to mention outstanding piano player... I thank you for creating that most exciting of moments when, as a lover of good music, you know you have seen and heard something remarkable.” Sir Michael Parkinson
"Not since Oscar Peterson's halcyon days have I heard a jazz piano player who could be compared to such a great artist in both technique and inspiration." Sir John Dankworth
“A fascinating sequence of songs, all brilliantly done. A very fine album” John Wilson (conductor)
"Gorgeous playing, amazing voice, great tunes. Sigh.” Tim Minchin
“Magnificently talented. It's a riotous listen” Jamie Cullum
“Stonking new record by Joe Stilgoe, by turns romantic, thrilling and joyous” Jay Rayner
"If ever a young man was destined for great things, it's Joe Stilgoe.” Don Black
“For Heaven's sake! He's amazing!” Guy Barker
Reception
Stilgoe's performances and recordings have received positive coverage in UK media. Critics have highlighted his musicianship, stage presence, and songwriting, with coverage in publications including The Guardian, The Times, and The Observer.Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Authority control/config' not found.
References
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- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."What's On: What's On in Liverpool and Merseyside". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
- ^ Quinn.P. (October 2012). Joe Stilgoe "We Look To The Stars",Jazzwise p43.
- ^ Towers.Ian. (2 August 2012). Joe's Keyed Up Over His New Jazz Album, The Weekly News.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Sevenoaks | Senior Only Mixed Independent School | Kent (See also London – Outer)". Guide to Independent Schools. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Where are they now?". Southampton.ac.uk. 25 October 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."New album from Trinity Laban jazz impresario | News". Trinity Laban. 19 June 2012. Archived from the original on 26 December 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Joe Stilgoe - Westway Music". 19 June 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."The Horne Section", Wikipedia, 6 May 2026, retrieved 14 May 2026
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Add to Playlist - Anne Dudley and Joe Stilgoe round off the series - BBC Sounds". BBC. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Curtis Brown". www.curtisbrown.co.uk. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
