Geoff Sewell
{{Short description|New Zealand singer}}
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{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
|name=Geoffrey David Sewell
|image=Geoff live concert shot.JPG
|image_size=
|landscape=
|alt=
|caption=
|background=solo_singer
|birth_name=
|native_name=
|native_name_lang=
|alias=
|birth_date=13 March 1972
|birth_place=
|origin=New Zealand
|death_date=
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|genre=Classical music, opera, Pop-Opera
|occupation=Recording artist, entrepreneur, ceo of Incognito Artists
|instrument=Voice (Tenor)
|years_active=
|label=Incognito Artists{{cite web|url=http://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/events/geoff-sewell-and-incognito-artists/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627224539/http://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/events/geoff-sewell-and-incognito-artists/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=27 June 2013|title=Geoff Sewell and Incognito Artists|publisher=St James Theatre|date=26 May 2013|accessdate=7 August 2013}}
|associated_acts=Amici Forever
|website={{url|www.geoffsewell.co.uk}}
}}
Geoffrey David Sewell (born 13 March 1972) is a tenor from New Zealand. He is a classical crossover singer, a multi platinum selling international recording artist, impresario, entrepreneur, creator and CEO of London-based entertainment company Incognito Artists, and co-creator of the world's first 'pop-opera', classical crossover band Amici Forever.
Career
Sewell worked as a chartered accountant in New Zealand with the National Bank{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/news/reach-for-sky-says-superstar/999712/|title=Reach for sky says superstar | Hawke's Bay Today|publisher=Hawkesbaytoday.co.nz|date=27 November 2008|accessdate=7 August 2013}} and later in London at Salomon Smith Barney.{{cite web|url=http://www.moneymakermagazine.co.uk/how-i-made-it-geoff-sewell/ |title=How I Made It: Geoff Sewell | Entrepreneur Feature |publisher=MoneyMaker Magazine |accessdate=7 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616202207/http://www.moneymakermagazine.co.uk/how-i-made-it-geoff-sewell/ |archivedate=16 June 2013 |df=dmy }} He worked part-time at recruitment companies Robert Walters and Joslin Rowe in London, while also performing in the West End, before leaving to start up his own company.
Sewell, his wife Simone Lanham and creative manager Tim Rogers created Incognito Artists in London in 2000. Sewell is Global CEO and tenor of the company, which creates surprise performances. Performers blend incognito into parties and events before singing and dancing. They also perform full concerts.
Sewell became an international classical crossover star in the so-called "opera band" Amici Forever{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/artist/amici-forever|title=Amici Forever|publisher=YouTube|date=|accessdate=7 August 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=3601729|title=Arias and accountancy – Life & Style – NZ Herald News|publisher=Nzherald.co.nz|date=19 October 2004|accessdate=7 August 2013}} before leaving the singing group in 2006 and embarking upon a solo career. Sewell moved to London, England, in 1997 after completing his studies at the Boston Conservatory of Music in the United States. After arriving in London, he performed on the West End and got into the music business with his wife, first founding the group Tenors Incognito and then other variations of the group, before ultimately the duo founded the classical crossover group Amici Forever in 2002. The original line-up consisted of two tenors (Sewell, David Habbin), a baritone-bass (Nick Garrett), and two soprano singers (Jo Appleby, Tsakane Valentine).{{cite web|last=Oakes|first=Keily|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3598718.stm|title=Entertainment | Olympic effort from Amici Forever|publisher=BBC News|date=30 August 2004|accessdate=7 August 2013}}
Sewell has had three No.1 albums with Amici's The Opera Band and Defined, and his own solo debut, Believe,{{cite web|url=http://www.amplifier.co.nz/artist/38371/geoff-sewell.html|title=Geoff Sewell | Amplifier NZ Music|publisher=Amplifier.co.nz|date=|accessdate=7 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114830/http://www.amplifier.co.nz/artist/38371/geoff-sewell.html|archive-date=26 August 2014|url-status=dead}} reaching over 3.5 million album sales worldwide. He toured New Zealand with Incognito Artists and achieved a No.1 selling DVD with his Live in Concert DVD.{{cite web|url=http://www.amplifier.co.nz/release/44674/geoff-sewell-incognito-live-in-concert.html|title=Geoff Sewell & Incognito – Live in Concert | Amplifier NZ Music|publisher=Amplifier.co.nz|date=|access-date=7 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826115847/http://www.amplifier.co.nz/release/44674/geoff-sewell-incognito-live-in-concert.html|archive-date=26 August 2014|url-status=dead}} He has toured and had chart success in the United Kingdom, America, Japan, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
With Amici Forever, he was nominated for a Classical Brit Award in the UK for best album.
He has sung for the late Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, Princes William and Harry and members of the Royal Family at the Royal Albert Hall, Windsor Castle and other venues; Nelson Mandela; and various celebrities such as Elton John, Leonardo DiCaprio and Victoria and David Beckham.[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/sewells-a-believer/story-e6frf96f-1111116230386 Sewells. A Believer] Herald Sun {{dead link|date=April 2023}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/events/the-popera-cafe-presented-by-incognito-artists/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628190258/http://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/events/the-popera-cafe-presented-by-incognito-artists/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=28 June 2013|title=The Popera Cafe presented by Incognito Artists|publisher=St James Theatre|date=14 July 2013|access-date=7 August 2013}}
Despite the success of Amici Forever, Sewell left the group suddenly after his eldest daughter Sienna was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10365259|title=Opera band star gives up group – National – NZ Herald News|publisher=Nzherald.co.nz|date=25 January 2006|access-date=7 August 2013}} He sidelined his music career for a couple years before releasing his solo album debut, Believe, produced by Nick Patrick, in 2008. Sewell then publicised autism awareness; for instance, he released Believe on the date of his daughter's fifth birthday and discussed treating autism at all media interviews.{{cite web|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/bio/geoff-sewell/4645298|title=Geoff Sewell Biography – ARTISTdirect Music|publisher=Artistdirect.com|date=|access-date=7 August 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10507307|title=Stars team up to raise autism awareness (+video) – National – NZ Herald News|publisher=Nzherald.co.nz|date=1 May 2008|access-date=7 August 2013}}
He is an ambassador of the St. James Theatre in London, which opened in September 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/events/geoff-sewell-and-incognito-artists/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627224539/http://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/events/geoff-sewell-and-incognito-artists/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=27 June 2013|title=stjamestheatre.co.uk|website=www.stjamestheatre.co.uk|accessdate=23 April 2023}}
Education and personal life
Sewell was born in Wellington. His older sister Julie died when she was 22. Sewell credits her loss as his inspiration to pursue his dreams of a singing career against all odds.
Sewell was educated at Plimmerton Primary School in Wellington, Havelock North Intermediate and Havelock North High School, Hawke's Bay.{{cite web|author=Have your say " BELINDA HENLEY 17 October 2011 8:41 AM|url=http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/news/superstar-serenade-up-for-grabs/1139526/|title=Superstar serenade up for grabs | Hawke's Bay Today|publisher=Hawkesbaytoday.co.nz|date=17 October 2011|accessdate=7 August 2013}} Sewell was a boy soprano in the school choir,{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/news/popera-star-coming-home/954427/|title='Popera' star coming home | Hawke's Bay Today|publisher=Hawkesbaytoday.co.nz|date=3 December 2005|accessdate=7 August 2013}} and later took singing lessons from New Zealand opera singer Geoffrey De la Tour while working in Wellington as a chartered accountant. He gained a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the Victoria University of Wellington. Sewell attended the Boston Conservatory of Music in the United States, studying opera and musical theatre.
Discography
=Albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of albums, with Australian chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Album details ! scope="col" colspan="2" | Peak chart |
| scope="col" style="text-align:center;" | NZ {{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/search.asp?search=Geoff+Sewell&cat=a|title= Geoff Sewell on Australian Charts|website=New Zealand Charts|access-date=2 October 2022}} ! scope="col" style="text-align:center;" | AUS |
|---|
| scope="row" | Believe
|
| align="center" | 2 || 13 |
| scope="row" | Live, Love, Sing !
|
| align="center" | 4 || — |
=See also=
Concerts
- FA Cup Final, Cardiff, Wales 2002
- Champions League Final, Manchester, England 2003
- Amici Forever – numerous tours of the UK, Australia, America, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan – 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
- Geoff Sewell and Incognito Artists tour of New Zealand, 2009
- Christmas in the Park Auckland, NZ 2007
- Classical Proms Christchurch, NZ 2008
- Serenata, Classical Festival, Dorset, England 2010
- Charity concert for Project K, Craggy Range, Hawke's Bay, NZ 2011
- Geoff Sewell and Bravo Amici, Lynn University, Boca Raton, USA 2012
- Geoff Sewell and Bravo Amici, Lynn University, Boca Raton, USA 2013
- ASB Tennis Classic, Auckland, NZ 2013{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10856444|title=It's party central at centre court – National – NZ Herald News|publisher=Nzherald.co.nz|date=29 December 2012|accessdate=7 August 2013}}
- Geoff Sewell and Incognito Artists, St James Theatre – April, May, July, September, October; London 2013
- Geoff Sewell and Bravo Amici, Moscow 2013
- Bravo Amici, 16 tour dates in Florida, 2014
Sporting anthems
He has performed the national anthems at the FA Cup Final, the Champions League Final, the Rugby World Cup,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfqceY6eT6c&list=PL8F5E8B582ACA4073&index=1|title=New Zealand National Anthem performed by Geoff Sewell at Rugby League World Cup 2008|publisher=YouTube|date=25 November 2008|accessdate=7 August 2013}} the Rugby League World Cup final, the Six Nations, various rugby fixtures at Twickenham, at the ASB Tennis Classic in Auckland, NZ and on centre court at Wimbledon.[http://www.eventmagazine.co.uk/People/login/1113326/ My Event World – Geoff Sewell]
Awards
With Amici Forever, Sewell was nominated for a Classical Brit Award in the UK for best album. Sewell has won various accolades for his performance and philanthropic activities during his career, including Air NZ New Zealander of the Year runner up,{{cite web|last=Everett|first=Charlotte|url=http://www.nznewsuk.co.uk/news/?id=6732&story=FINALISTS-FOR-THE-2010-NEW-ZEALANDER-OF-THE-YEAR--UK--ANNOUNCED|title=FINALISTS FOR THE 2010 NEW ZEALANDER OF THE YEAR (UK) ANNOUNCED | New Zealand News UK|publisher=Nznewsuk.co.uk|date=|accessdate=7 August 2013}} International Young Chartered Accountant of the Year and the youngest ever NZ Chartered Accountant to be awarded Fellowship status, FCA. In October 2018, he was presented with the International Achievement Award from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand.
Charity
Sewell established The Geoff & Simone Sewell Foundation 2010 (NZ) helping families in New Zealand to treat their children affected by autism. Sewell and Lanham believe recovery is possible using child-centric, appropriate healing interventions because of their own experience with their daughter.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAmzI1gB7Ws|title=Geoff Sewell on Close Up|publisher=YouTube|date=13 May 2008|accessdate=7 August 2013}}
Sewell personally supports charitable organisations Treating Autism (UK); the Autism Trust (UK) and the National Society of Epilepsy (UK), as well as orchestrating hundreds of appearances and contributions to charitable events around the world as part of Incognito Artists since 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/news/2008/04/geoff-sewell-of-amici-forever-raising-autism-awareness|title=Geoff Sewell of Amici Forever Raising NZ Autism Awareness – Eventfinda|publisher=Eventfinder.co.nz|date=|accessdate=7 August 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hayley-westenra-international.com/content/hayley-performs-super-rugby-match-twickenham-stadium?page=3|title=(HWI) – Hayley performs at Super Rugby match at Twickenham Stadium|publisher=Hayley Westenra International|date=|accessdate=7 August 2013|archive-date=26 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826121645/http://www.hayley-westenra-international.com/content/hayley-performs-super-rugby-match-twickenham-stadium?page=3|url-status=dead}}
References
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External links
- [http://www.incognitoartists.com/ Event Entertainment Agency | World’s Leading Artists]
- [http://www.geoffsewell.co.uk/ Home]
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