'There are many intelligent musicians whose work defies casual categorization … the composer Colin Riley is one such musician.'

Classical Source

Colin Riley's work has featured at many festivals in the UK and overseas and his growing reputation has led to commissions and performances in recent years from a range of diverse groups (BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Viva, National Youth Choir, Smith Quartet, COMA , Continuum Ensemble, Kokoro, and Piano Circus). Between 1995 and 1998 Colin held the post of Composer-in-Association with the Bournemouth Orchestras.


His current work explores the integration of both improvisation and electronic components. Recent collaborations with jazz saxophonist Tim Whitehead has led to the formation the Homemade Orchestra and the two highly acclaimed album Tides and Inside Covers. His new ensemble MooV, mixing electronica, song-writing, improvisation and live Vj-ing, is currently developing material for both an instrumental and a song album for release later in 2007. Colin is also currently working on a set of pieces for the multi-keyboard ensemble Piano Circus and drummer Bill Bruford and these will be premiered in the autumn.

In 2006 he launched his own record label. Squeaky Kate, with the albums Close and A Green And Yellow Melancholy, receiving unanimous critical acclaim from all sections of the music media. Several follow-up CDs are planned for the near future. As well as being Senior Lecturer at Brunel University, Colin has been a mentor for the SPNM's Adopt A Composer Scheme for the last five years, director of the network for creative musicians, Music Orbit, and co-Artistic Director if the iF Festival. He is a very experienced and much sought after music-educator.

'Riley likes to compose phrases or sequences in his music that rise and fall like waves and then reach a momentary silence. The result often recalls the work of singer/songwriter David Sylvian and to a lesser extent Robert Wyatt. Brian Eno has spoken of his approach as being like painting in sound and this will be something Riley will have much empathy with. If the album release on Riley's label, scheduled for release later this year is anything like tonight's performance we're in for a real treat.'

Jazzwise Magazine