Olly started the My-Music-Room.com project in 2011 as a long-term ‘self publishing’ website to hold all of his piano sheet music, backing tracks, e-books and piano resources.
So what’s Olly’s story up to this point?… Read on to find out!
Olly Wedgwood has been playing the piano, singing, composing and performing in public since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. It all kicked off at school, many years ago in 1986 when he won a music scholarship to Hampton School and started to write for his favourite instrument – the piano…
After four years of formal music training, Olly discovered Jazz and formed, conducted and managed the Hampton School 15-piece ‘Big Jazz and Blues Band’ (also recruiting from the girls’ school next door 
). Hooked on jazz, he began to study jazz piano under top UK jazz pianist Roger Munns.
At Cambridge University, Olly performed in and directed ensembles ranging from pop and rock ‘n’ roll outfits, to jazz trios and big bands. He formed ‘Selwyn Jazz’ big band with his partner-in-crime, Jon Hooper, in 1993 and the band is still gigging to this day.
(Editors note: actually Olly studied an Engineering Degree, but he and his partner in crime, Jon Hooper, probably spent more time on the gig circuit than they did in the engineering lab…).
After University, Olly worked as an engineer and physics teacher by day, also conducting the Magdalen College School big band. By night, he gigged with various jazz and soul ensembles, both as a wedding pianist-vocalist and as a ‘front man’ wedding entertainer.
In 2004, he handed in his notice for his day job and went pro, playing frequently with the Oxford Jazz Quintet (one of Jamie Cullum’s previous ensembles). Olly now runs his Jazz Soul Boogie Band – one of the top wedding entertainment bands on the professional gig circuit in the UK, performing a variety of music styles from jazz swing, Latin to funky 70s soul. Wherever Olly is playing, you’re guaranteed a great night’s music and dancing!
Also in 2004, Olly co-wrote ‘Wedgwood Blue’, a landmark piano collection which brings together the extraordinary talents of the Wedgwood family. Olly’s younger brother Sam Wedgwood is a talented singer/songwriter and their mother Pam Wedgwood is recognised around the world as one the UK’s most prolific and successful composers of popular repertoire for young instrumentalists.
As you’ve probably gathered, Olly loves writing fun and free printable piano sheet music for a range of player abilities from beginner through to more advanced pianists, as well as recording music in the studio – from piano backings to full-blown album tracks.
His album CDs to date include:
- ‘Just Friends’ – a mix of well loved covers and 4 originals
- ‘From the Heart‘ – original music inspired by a trip to Egypt
- ‘A Silent Night In with Olly J‘ – favourite Christmas carols served with a unique Olly Wedgwood twist!
As well as writing for My-Music-Room.com on a weekly basis, Olly is also currently recording his new album, which features vocal ‘a capella’ versions of popular soul and jazz tracks.
