Amy May is a multi-instrumentalist, arranger and composer. She plays for a variety of bands and ensembles, principally as a viola player, violinist and singer. Amy also works extensively as an arranger and orchestrator for bands and artists, alongside her own group, Paris Motel. She writes music for adverts, films and library music.
Amy trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama as a viola player and composer, after seven years as a junior exhibitioner at the same school. After her studies she worked for the Sanctuary Music Group in order to learn about all aspects of the music business, whilst continuing to play and write. She then returned to freelance music work, beginning with a large-scale project orchestrating music from guitarist Jeff Beck's back catalogue. She wrote and recorded an album for her new band, Paris Motel, and began to perform as a singer. Soon the group was touring Europe, the UK and America, to great critical acclaim. At this time Amy co-founded Hotel Records with Joe Smith from Rough Trade, which released the first two Paris Motel albums and EP.
After forming Paris Motel, Amy's passion for popular music allowed her to work with some of the world's most interesting, innovative and exciting artists and bands. She has toured extensively as a viola player and singer with Elbow, Snow Patrol, Hurts, Cerys Matthews, The Heritage Orchestra and others. She has performed with The Killers, Dizzee Rascal, Jessie J, Joker, Muse, James Morrison, The Kooks, John Cale, Patrick Wolf, Chase & Status, UNKLE, Imogen Heap, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Jamie Cullum, Michael Buble, The Enemy, Dirty Pretty Things, Mr. Hudson, Sarah Blasko, Suggs and others. She has worked as a session player on albums for dozens of artists including Razorlight, Professor Green, Emile Sandi, The Streets, KT Tunstall, Dizzee Rascal, Eric Prydz, The Enemy, Jonathan Jeremiah and many more. She is currently working in the West End, as a violist and violinist on ?Ghost: The Musical?.
Amy combines performing and recording with her work as a composer and arranger. Her music is published by Faber and she orchestrates and arranges for bands and artists from SBTRKT to Muse. She is currently developing a concert series called ?Under The Covers? where artists and bands play their favourite albums, accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Amy also writes original music for commercials and film, for companies such as Channel 4, KPM and Stella Artois, alongside her songs for Paris Motel. Amy is also currently developing a multimedia performance called 'Journey To The South' which is based on a series of train journeys crossing India, based on Chaucer?s Canterbury Tales.
Amy runs several ensembles and groups. She is part of Fable, a string quartet which specialises in contemporary music. She has a monthly contemporary music night as part of the Karamel Music Club, based in a venue in North London. She runs the May Ensemble which provides musicians for corporate and event work. She also plays with the Heritage Orchestra as the principal viola. (Hide extended text) ... (Read all)
