“The album BANDZILLA RISES!!! is an unparalleled music event, music that defies description. The 25-piece jazz-fusion orchestra is the brainchild of Richard Niles, a true original. When you listen to the album, you’re overwhelmed with lots of testosterone– it’s got a lot of MIGHT – a lot of power! Very unusual and very different! Hip, entertaining and a very cool new way of treating the big band genre. Bravo!” Multi-Grammy nominee Dave Koz

Led by acclaimed composer/arranger/guitarist Richard Niles, the orchestra was originally formed in London to play on the seminal Grace Jones track ‘Slave To The Rhythm’. Since then, Niles & BANDZILLA have performed and recorded with Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, James Brown, Kylie Minogue, Mariah Carey, Pet Shop Boys, Michael McDonald, Cher and Tina Turner. For his jazz work with Metheny, Bob James, John Patitucci, Martin Taylor, Billy Cobham, Jane Monheit and Bob Mintzer, and his work on over 40 pop hits, Sound on Sound called Niles “the most versatile man in modern music.”

A stellar line up of singers includes Leo Sayer (16 top 10 hits), jazz icon Randy Brecker (The Brecker Brothers), Lamont Dozier Jr. (son of the Motown hit-maker), Daisy Chute (from million-selling vocal group All Angels), Kim Chandler (ace studio singer and vocal coach), Brazilian jazz star Clarice Assad and Polish chanteuse Julia Suzanna Sokolowska. Niles also sings some of his own surprising lyrics.

Co-producer/trumpet player John Thirkell played with the Buddy Rich and Gil Evans Orchestras as well as on 23 UK & US No.1 records with Artists such as Jamiroquai, Level 42, Tina Turner, Phil Collins and Bruno Mars. Other soloists include Nigel Hitchcock (Tom Jones, Incognito, Mark Knopfler), Mark Nightingale (Clark Terry, John Dankworth) and Steve Hamilton (Billy Cobham, Tommy Smith). Ian Palmer (Michael Brecker, Don Grolnick).

The result is a unique mixture of funk and jazz, sophisticated composition, passionate improvisation, scathing social commentary and biting humor. 

“BANDZILLA is hip to the bone!” Jazz Weekly

“Richard Niles is one of the best composer/arrangers around and a truly exciting musical force. BANDZILLA RISES!!! Sounds great!” multi-Grammy winner Pat Metheny

“Every musician on the planet is going to want a copy of this!”
Don Was – multi Grammy winning producer, President Blue Note Records

Official Website: www.bandzilla.net

BANDZILLA RISES!!!

I did this jazz arrangement for the Pet Shop Boys of their song "Can You Forgive Her". I recorded it with my monster big-band, Bandzilla. The alto sax solo is by the amazing Nigel Hitchcock.

Can You Forgive Her  (Swing Version)

Bandzilla Rises!!!

Tip for a Toreador

Bandzilla Rises!

Love Don't Mean a Thing

Love Don't Mean A Thing

This World Is Mine

L.A. Existential

You Can't Get There from Here

You Can't Get There From Here

Live as One

Live As One

Dr. RICHARD NILES is a prolific composer, producer, songwriter, arranger, conductor and musical director whose career spans pop, R&B, rock and jazz. Records featuring his work have sold over 250 million copies worldwide.

Niles has worked in the recording industry, feature films, in theatre and television and has performed worldwide. He has written, produced and presented acclaimed music documentaries for BBC Radio. He is a published author, journalist and music educator. Niles was awarded a PhD from Brunel University for his thesis “The Invisible Artist – Arrangers in Popular Music (1950 – 2000)”.
Richard Niles has produced, arranged and composed music for some of the world’s most acclaimed artists including Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, Cher, James Brown, Kylie Minogue, Tina Turner, Mariah Carey, Joe Cocker, Lulu, The Troggs, Deniece Williams, Michael McDonald, Dusty Springfield, Pet Shop Boys, Cat Stevens, Grace Jones, Tears For Fears, Swing Out Sister, Boyzone, Westlife, Michael Ball and Take That.

He has maintained a parallel career in jazz having worked with Pat Metheny, Martin Taylor, Bob James, Michel Legrand, Ray Charles, Jane Monheit, Guy Barker, Bob Mintzer, The Yellowjackets, Silje Nergaard, John Patitucci, Jim Mullen, Janek Gwizdala, Nelson Rangell, Gwylim Simcock and Gary Husband.

He has also arranged and conducted for classical artists Kiri Te Kanawa, Placido Domingo and Montserrat Caballe.

Niles Smiles Music

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