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Rupert Wates

Rupert Wates is an award-winning singer-songwriter. His music is an eclectic mix of acoustic, melodic art/folk, with flavors of jazz, vaudeville and cabaret.

Wates was born in London and studied at Oxford University. He has been a full-time songwriter since the late 1990s, when he signed a publishing contract with Eaton Music Limited. He has worked with some of the best performers in London.

In 2001 Wates moved to Paris and formed his own quartet. He began playing live regularly. In fall 2006 he came to the US. He is now based in New York City and Colorado. Since coming to the US he has won more than 40 songwriting and performing awards.

Wates has released nine solo CDs. His most recent recording, "The Lights of Paris" (2017), has received airplay internationally and outstanding reviews. The album takes an unflinching look at the dangers, disillusionments and cruelties of today's world, in which the lights of Paris offer a symbol of love, beauty and hope. Wates' signature sound is reduced to the essentials of his voice and distinctive fingerstyle guitar, with color added by virtuoso musicians Adrianna Mateo (violin) and Brian Sanders (cello) in string arrangements by Grammy-nominated John Guari. The album was recorded live in the studio in just two days by master engineer Kevin Kelly.

Wates' songs have also been covered by other artists in the UK, Canada and the US. Two full-length tribute CDs of his material have been recorded: "Crazy Puzzle" (2015) by Nashville-based performer Roxie Rogers and "Wide Open Heart" (2017) by Los Angeles vocalist Susan Kohler. Both CDs were initiated and funded by the artists and comprise songs from Wates' back catalog.

Wates performs 120 live shows every year in America, Canada and Europe. He performs solo, as he will do at The Living Room, and sometimes with his trio or his quartet. In addition, in 2014 he joined forces with Toronto-based virtuoso pianist Bartosz Hadala to form the piano/guitar duo The Nightwatchers (www.thenightwatchers.com). The duo tours Canada and Europe regularly.

For more information visit www.rupertwatesmusic.com.