Ryan Morrison is an Australian singer-songwriter, choir leader and arranger. He grew up in Perth, and became drawn to harmony singing as a teenager. He sang in one of Perth’s finest a cappella groups, Summerhouse, for many of his formative years. Encouraged by the other singers, Ryan began arranging music for the choir. He spent two years composing, directing and arranging Georgian-style music for The Spooky Men of the West, and has sung with and written for the internationally acclaimed Spooky Men’s Chorale since 2005.
Whilst travelling Australia in 2008, Ryan met fellow songwriter Kate Rowe, with whom he decided to embark on an independent tour of Australia for the first half of 2009. After a very warm response from audiences and choirs across the country, the pair decided to tour Australia again in 2010 with over 50 gigs including festivals, folk clubs, house concerts, school concerts, and choir workshops in all states bar two.
In 2011, after eleven years of songwriting, two EP releases, and co-producing credits on three albums by other people, Ryan recorded his own debut album in Perth, The Art of Love. Recorded at Crank Studios with Perth legend Lee Buddle, The Art of Love is a delightful tapestry of gentle acoustic sounds. Not surprisingly, a strong current of harmony weaves throughout the album, warmly supported by the smooth bass of Pete Jeavons and the light touch of drummer Chris Tarr. The album also features Tal Cohen on piano, Craig Sinclair on banjo and slide guitar, Jennifer Tingley on cello, Lara Norman on Violin and four-part harmonies from a sweet sextet of singers—including Kate Rowe, Christine Morrison, Laura Rice and members of Summerhouse. (Click here to listen to few tracks)
"Simple Melody", from Ryan's debut album, has been recently nominated for WAM Song of the Year 2011 in the World/Folk Category.
Ryan also conducts workshops in singing and blending techniques for choirs and people who like to sing. As part of The Spooky Men’s Chorale, Ryan co-directs some Sing Like A Bloke workshops with Stephen Taberner, across Australia and the UK, in venues ranging in size from small village halls to massive festival big tops. Ryan also conducts workshops in body percussion.
"Delicate grace"
Simon Neville, Director of 2011 Denmark Festival of Voice
"He’s actually quite good"
Ryan’s Nanna
Contact Ryan
“The songs in Kate and Ryan’s concert were fantastic, the kids were singing them for weeks. It was wonderful to see the older kids joining in the actions along with the younger kids.”
Katrina Coles Moyhu Primary School, Wangaratta VIC
Kate Rowe and Ryan Morrison team up for an engaging, laugh-out-loud show for kids, families, and the young at heart. Kate sings her quirky, catchy songs about talking dogs, space rabbits, giant squids, and pirates, and Ryan teaches the choruses and actions with energy and enthusiasm. Kate won a Lennon Award in the Children’s Category of the 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for “Space Rabbits of Brocklevoons”, and was named Australian Songwriters Association Songwriter of the Year in 2010.
For more info see: www.katerowe.com |
