Geoff Sewell
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Geoff Sewell an accomplished New Zealand tenor and a member and founder of the band Amici Forever.
Sewell began singing as a boy soprano, performing in his school choir at the age of 18. He was coached by renowned New Zealand opera singer Geoffrey de la Tour. In college, he obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree and became qualified as a chartered accountant of New Zealand.
His career took a sudden and decisive turn after his older sister Julie died and his family subsequently took a trip to the home of one of his childhood heroes, Elvis Presley. Deciding to become a professional singer, Sewell studied at the Boston Conservatory in the U.S., then relocated to London, where he combined his musical and financial acumen to create an entertainment company with offices in London, Edinburgh, and New York. He later founded the pop/opera band Amici Forever with four other singers.
Sewell has performed for royalty and celebrities at numerous events worldwide, and has performed in London's West End and sung with the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall.
Sewell's career is defined by his energy and creative choices, and the synergy of his management team, spearheaded by his wife Simone Lanham.
Geoff left Amici Forever in February 2006 after his daughter Sienna was diagnosed with autism. Geoff's farewell message:
"Just recently my wife Simone and I received the painful news that our two year old daughter Sienna has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Children with this condition benefit from stability and routine in daily life in order to thrive. Much effort is required from their loved ones to ensure their future is bright and their potential realised. Therefore our family coping with ‘Daddy’s’ frequent absences and regular globetrotting, according to a fluctuating and dictated schedule, is not cool. It is with sadness that I’ve made the difficult decision to leave Amici so I can spend more time at home. This February tour of my homeland, New Zealand, and Australia is my ‘farewell’. To all my family, friends and our fans throughout the world I can’t thank you enough for all your love and support over the past amazing four years. Thanks to SonyBMG worldwide for their commitment and hard work. Enjoying success at ‘home’ has been a dream come true. To Jo, David and Tsakane – you are amazing people and it’s been an absolute blast sharing the highs and the lows with you. Keep living the dream! Making a difference in people’s lives is where the juice is and I have felt so privileged during my Amici years. Now I ask that you please help Simone and I in our quest to raise the profile of Autism and find answers to help families throughout the world. Yes - “Life is truly a daring adventure or nothing”. Now it’s time for a new adventure…"
-Geoff
Geoff Sewell is the ultimate entertainer, founder of the world’s first opera band Amici Forever and father of a very special little girl, Sienna. He’s a born singer with a repertoire ranging from Sinatra to Puccini to Presley and almost everything in between. But he gave up the glamour of touring to focus his love on little Sienna who’d been diagnosed with autism. Two years after calling time on Amici to spend time with his young family, Geoff is about to dazzle audiences with his debut solo album ‘Believe’ – a title inspired by his philosophy in life and his belief in a positive prognosis for his daughter.
“The songs are personal, inspirational, classic and fun. They are a collection of great songs that have inspired me on my journey so far”, Geoff says.
The New Zealand born tenor, now based in London, has been singing professionally for 11 years. The album reflects his international recording history and performing experience around the world, as well as his deep affection for his homeland. It has been a labour of love for Geoff, a consummate professional who settles for nothing but the absolute best. Geoff recorded the orchestra in Prague and the choir in London. The album is produced by Nick Patrick, widely considered the ‘master’ of classical crossover music. Patrick has worked with artists like Russell Watson, Katherine Jenkins and Hayley Westenra, and says Geoff, has a remarkable talent. “When I first met Geoff it was in Amici, and even then there was a real stand out quality about his voice and personality. It’s his ability to go from beautiful soft pop singing to transform into really authentic classical and that’s a very rare and impressive thing,” Patrick says.
Geoff was working as a chartered accountant when a family tragedy made him re evaluate his life. He decided to throw in his 9 to 5 office job to follow his true passion: singing. He studied at the Boston Conservatory of Music before heading to London where he and his wife Simone set up the hugely successful entertainment company Incognito Artists. The multi-million dollar business now has offices in London, Edinburgh, New York and Auckland. Geoff, with his vast and talented stable of performers, has entertained guests including Sir Elton John, Richard Branson, the Beckhams, Nelson Mandela and Princes Charles, William and Harry.
Soon after setting up Incognito Artists, Geoff and Simone set about creating the world’s first ‘pop opera’ band Amici forever, with Geoff as one of the stars and Simone as co-manager. The band was an instant, global sensation, selling more than 2.5 million albums and topping charts around the world, including two No.1 albums in New Zealand. They performed at many illustrious events, most notably by request for the Queen at The Royal Albert Hall and Prince Charles at Windsor Castle.
Then, in January 2006 Geoff decided to leave Amici after his eldest daughter, Sienna, was diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at age two. “We didn’t know too much about the condition at that time, the bit we did know was stability, family and routine was all important,” says Geoff. “When you are faced with a crisis with your daughter everything else pales into insignificance, at no time have I thought I made the wrong decision.”
Now 18 months on, Geoff is ready to launch his solo career with the release of ‘Believe’. The album showcases Geoff’s remarkable vocal abilities, from his unique homage to the Sir Howard Morrison classic ‘How Great Thou Art’ to a heartfelt tribute to his daughter, ‘Sienna’s Song’, written by Geoff’s wife, Simone. There’s also a stunning rendition of Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ and keeping all the classical music lovers happy, ‘Nessun Dorma’ and ‘O Sole Mio’.
The album is a little bit pop, a little bit opera.... but it’s one hundred percent Geoff Sewell. The good looking and charismatic Kiwi is excited, “It’s a dream come true for me. Not that long ago, I was a chartered accountant working in a bank and I longed to be a professional singer. Now, a few years on, I am actually doing it, and this time on my own!
