Riva Taylor

Becky Jane Grosvenor-Taylor is an English singer and performer of adult contemporary, classical-popular and musical theatre songs. She is notable for landing a recording contract at a very young age under the name Becky Jane Taylor.

Early years

Taylor was born in Hammersmith, London. She had her first experience on the stage at the age of seven in London's West End, playing Little Eponine at the Palace Theatre.^[1] Other early achievements include winning the Thorndike Talent competition for ages 8–24, and winning a British Arts Award for her dance performance of the Secret Garden, both of which she achieved at the age of 8. She also appeared on Blue Peter, performing "My Heart Will Go On" at the age of 10. She attended Danes Hill School, Surrey before studying for her GCSEs and A Levels at Tormead School, Guildford. Taylor has said that living the life of a normal school girl was important for somebody exposed to the music industry from such a young age.^[2]

Career

At the age of 12 she landed a recording contract with EMI,^[1] making her the youngest artist to have ever been signed to the record label. Her debut album, A Dream Come True (2001) recorded at Abbey Road Studios enjoyed international success. That same year she sang at the Farm Aid benefit gala concert at the Royal Albert Hall. This was attended by Prince Charles who praised the 12-year-old's performance and stated he would watch her career with great interest. She also caught the attention of Mohammed Al Fayed who, after hearing her sing at a her album launch at Harrods, invited her to perform at and open the Harrods Sale with Jean-Claude Van Damme and Salma Hayek.

Over the years, Taylor has toured worldwide promoting her music, and she has enjoyed particular success in the Far East, reaching number one in the album record charts in Japan and Taiwan.^[1] Her US tour was supported by promotional performances on Live With Regis and Kelly hosted by guest presenter Usher and the MDA Labor Day Telethon, Los Angeles.^[3]

Taylor released her first album of show tunes at the age of thirteen in 2001 and her second album, a crossover album By Your Side, in 2005.^[1] Over the past five years, Taylor has performed extensively alongside musicians including José Carreras, Russell Watson, André Rieu and Katie Melua. In 2005, she performed at the Last Night of the Audley End and Kenwood Proms with Wynne Evans. In January and February 2012, Taylor appeared as a guest artist on both The Soldiers and Alfie Boe's UK tours.^[4]

In 2014 she featured as a guest artist on the Video Games Live World Tour throughout Europe. She performing her own material as well as well known music from Assassin's Creed and Grammy nominated music from Journey. Some venues included the Helsinki Ice Hall, Finland and the Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam. ^[5]

Taylor is a lyric soprano with a rich lower register. She can reach B above top C (B6), and her range is showcased most effectively on her debut album.^[1] She dances to an advanced standard and has achieved her Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance diploma.

Taylor has graduated from the University of Durham after undertaking a three-year degree in History. She is currently in the studio writing and recording new material.

TV, Film and Video Games

Taylor has performed the theme tunes for a number of films and television programmes including BBC Christmas feature film Second Star to the Left starring Barbara Windsor and Hugh Laurie, Riva performed the song You Can Be Hero and Barbie as Rapunzel.^[6] In 2015 Taylor opened the BAFTA Games Awards with an original track from the new album called Earth To Earth. She also presented the award for music with James Bond with composer David Arnold.^[7]

Sporting Events

In 2006, she performed at the Millennium Stadium at the FA Cup Final where she sang "Abide with Me" with Lesley Garrett. She has also performed the Rugby World Cup Anthem World in Union at the Madjeski Stadium for the Aviva Premiership in 2010. She has also performed the national anthem at Twickenham in 2012, Six Nations.

Charity Work

Taylor is a supporter of The Rays of Sunshine and The Children's Wish Foundation charities and has performed at the annual gala dinners at The Dorchester and the Grosvenor House Hotel in aid of both causes. In 2004 she sang for Princess Anne at the Save The Children charity fundraiser hosted at the Natural History Museum and in 2006, joined a host of top classical artists at the SOS Ghana Classic Response concert at the Royal Albert Hall hosted by Aled Jones and Myleene Klass^[8][9]

Discography

Albums

Singles

As Becky Taylor

• 2001: "You Can Be a Hero" (EMI Classics)
• 2001: "Song of Dreams" (EMI Classics) — reached #60 in the UK^[10]

References

1. 1 2 3 4 5 http://www.classical-crossover.co.uk/artprofiles/119-becky-jane-taylor.html
2. ↑ http://www.beckyjanetaylor.co.uk/biog.html.
3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7Zi1Ywfs_o
4. ↑ http://forums.alfieboeuk.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1569&start=30
5. ↑ http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/singer-riva-taylor-feature-first-8015712
6. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0313255/soundtrack, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5t6QxlHrU4 She has performed the theme tunes for a number of films and television programmes including BBC Christmas feature film Second Star To The Left, starring Barbra Windsor and Hugh Lorrie, Riva performed the song You Can Be A Hero and Barbie as Rapunzel
7. ↑ http://www.bafta.org/games/awards/riva-taylor-opening-performance
8. ↑ http://sunshineappeal.org.uk/category/charity/events/page/2/
9. ↑ . http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/charity-news/archive/2006/02/classic-response
10. 1 2 "BECKY TAYLOR | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2016-02-23. 
11. ↑ "ベッキーの画像、ベッキーの経歴・プロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2016-02-23. 
    "ベッキーの売上ランキング" (in Japanese). ORICON STYLE. Retrieved 2016-02-23. 

External links

• Official website
• Becky Taylor on AllMusic