| Gemma Latham |
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Gemma Latham graduated with an Honours degree in Popular Music and Recording in 2005, and has since carved a niche for herself in the live music scene across northern England and Wales. Firmly established as a versatile and professional vocal artist, Gemma incorporates a variety of styles into her well-received and emotive sessions blending pop, soul and jazz numbers interpreted in her own individual style. Gemma has residencies at venues such as the well-known Pitcher & Piano bar chain, super-club Cruise in Chester and celebrity chef Simon Rimmer’s restaurant, Earle, in Hale. She is also a popular choice for weddings, private parties and corporate events. Equally at ease with a variety of musical ensembles, ranging from an intimate duo to a vibrant full band line-up, Gemma is able to provide entertainment appropriate for any occasion Gemma has been involved in Performing Arts for as long as she can remember, taking dance lessons from the age of two and piano and singing from the age of five. Throughout her childhood she performed in various dance productions and music festivals and at the age of eleven was offered a place at the prestigious Hammond School of Dance, Music and Drama. Here Gemma received intensive training in various dance disciplines alongside her academic studies and was given the opportunity to develop and nurture her creative and artistic talents.
Although her first love was Ballet, during her time at the school Gemma took classes in musical theatre and quickly realised that her real strengths lay in more modern forms of dance and in singing. By the time she was in the final year of her schooling, she had taken an active interest in choreography and begun writing her own songs. Gemma decided she wanted to take what she had learned from her lessons at the school and focus on developing her songwriting and performance as an individual artist. This led her to study Popular Music and Recording at college and then at University, graduating with a BA Honours degree in the subject in July 2005. Throughout this time, alongside composition and performance lectures, she also learned about recording processes and production techniques and got more involved in seeing the creative process right the way through from the composition stages to the performance and recording of her songs. Most importantly, University opened Gemma’s eyes to a vast array of musical techniques, opinions and inspirations which have all shaped her as an artist and enhanced her creative evolution. It also provided her with the opportunity to develop both professional relationships and friendships with many other musicians and artists. Most of her current band members she met during her degree course. Gemma has spent the last couple of years experimenting with all the skills she has developed throughout her training and combining those with her life influences and passions in order to create music she feels truly represents the artist she is today. Now armed with a portfolio of songs she feels proud of she is currently devising a performance set with her band and preparing to present her music to live audiences this summer. Gemma says: “Having spent the last couple of years really exploring my craft and applying all I have learned during the wonderful opportunities I have had so far in life, I now feel I know who I am and what I want to do and say as an artist. I’m really excited to finally be at the stage where I’m ready to bring my songs to life with a live band and get back to performing. I can’t wait to get out there and see what people think of the music I’ve been creating.” |
