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Riva Taylor

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Riva Taylor
Background information
Birth nameRebecca Jane Grosvenor Taylor
BornHammersmith, London
GenresPop · jazz · soundtrack
Years active2001–present
LabelsEMI · Virgin Music Group
Websitewww.rivataylor.com

Rebecca Jane Grosvenor Taylor, known professionally as Riva Taylor, is an English singer, songwriter and actress.

Early life and education

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Taylor was born in Hammersmith, London.[1] 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.[2] 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 a young age.[3]

Taylor is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance. Taylor graduated with a degree in History from the University of Durham in 2010.[4]

Career

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2001–2012: Early career

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At the age of 12, she landed a recording contract with EMI,[2] making her the youngest artist to have been signed to the record label. Her debut album, A Dream Come True (2001) recorded at Abbey Road Studios and arranged by Simon Hale 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 young Taylor 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 her album launch at Harrods, invited her to open the Harrods Sale with Jean-Claude Van Damme and Salma Hayek.

Over these years, Taylor toured worldwide promoting her music. 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. Taylor has performed at the FA Cup Final and at the Six Nations, Twickenham Stadium.[5]

2014–2021: 'This Woman's Heart'

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In 2017 Taylor released a club remix of her song Deeper Than Us which charted at number #3 in the Music Week pop charts and was backed by Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1 and Tiesto on his Club Life[6]

In 2018 she released a single titled My Mouth which was selected by Sir Elton John for his Beats1 show Rocket Hour.[7]

In 2020 she released an album titled This Woman's Heart .1, featuring the singles This Woman's Heart, Jealous and Running at Walls.[8] She showcased the songs at British Summer Time where she supported Barbra Streisand.[9]

Taylor helped found the Songwriters' Circle in 2019, held at Roundhouse, London with Nashville songwriter Jeff Cohen. Later rebranded The Online Songwriters' Circle during the pandemic.[10]

In 2021 she released This Woman's Heart .2 including BBC Radio 2 favourite If I Could Ever Stop Loving You and Woman.[11]

2021–present: 'Colours of Blue' and Mexico

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In 2022 Taylor began writing songs between London and Mexico City, inspired by a love of jazz and the rhythms of Latin America.[12] Her first release was a bossa nova song called Colours Of Blue which which Taylor performed live in Mexico on Sale el Sol (TV program).[13] Her follow up single Cubano was supported by Los 40 and Exa FM and peaked at #17 in the radio charts In Mexico.[14]

Riva performs at Foro Indie Rocks, Mexico City (2022)

. In 2024 Taylor released a multi-cultured pop album 'Colours of Blue'.[15]

TV, film and video games

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Taylor has performed the theme tunes for a number of film and TV programmes including BBC Christmas feature film Second Star to the Left starring Barbara Windsor and Hugh Laurie,[16] Taylor performed the song "You Can Be A Hero" and the theme tune for Barbie as Rapunzel.[17] In 2014 Taylor featured as a guest artist on the Video Games Live World Tour, performing her song from Assassin's Creed and Grammy nominated music from Journey. Some venues included the Eventim Apollo, London and the Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam. Taylor also opened the Bafta Game Awards where she performed and presented the award for music with film composer David Arnold.[18][19]

Discography

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Albums

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  • This Woman's Heart .1 (2020)
  • This Woman's Heart .2 (2021)

Singles

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  • My Mouth (2018)
  • Running At Walls (2018)
  • This Woman's Heart (2019)
  • Jealous (2020)
  • If I Could Ever Stop Loving You (2020)
  • Woman (2021)
  • Colours Of Blue (2022)
  • No Protection (2022)
  • Cubano (2023)

References

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  1. ^ Country Life, vol. CCIII, no. 21, 27 May 2009, frontispiece
  2. ^ a b Administrator. "Becky Jane Taylor". www.classical-crossover.co.uk. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Becky Jane Taylor - Official Website". Archived from the original on 5 September 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Official Results List". Durham University. 23 June 2010. p. 3. Archived from the original on 26 June 2010.
  5. ^ Harold Corbishley (8 November 2007). "I Could Have Danced All Night - Becky Jane Taylor (then age 13, born 29th June 1988)". YouTube. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  6. ^ "Riva Taylor – 'Deeper Than Us' (The Golden Boy 'Big Ol' Rave' Mix)". Soundplate.com. 3 June 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Riva Taylor releases new single 'Running At Walls'". faroutmagazine.co.uk. 21 October 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Riva Taylor - This Woman's Heart .1". yorkshiretimes.co.uk. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  9. ^ "INTERVIEW: Riva Taylor | Welcome to UK Music Reviews".
  10. ^ "Roundhouse Songwriters' Circle".
  11. ^ Murray, Robin (29 April 2021). "Track Of The Day 29/4 - Riva Taylor". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  12. ^ Holley, Steve (20 July 2022). "Riva Taylor Is Back With A Brilliant New Bossa Nova Single, 'Colours of Blue' That Could Be The Soundtrack To A Heatwave Filled Summer In Britain, Or Dreams Of A Tropical Beach Somewhere". Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  13. ^ "Riva Taylor - El Heraldo de México". heraldodemexico.com.mx (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  14. ^ "Riva Taylor: 'Cubano', el poder de un vocablo transformado en una obra de arte". Radio Fórmula (in Spanish). 16 August 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Riva Taylor - "Colours of Blue"". 14 June 2024.
  16. ^ beautyisme82 (6 July 2007). "Becky Jane Taylor- You Can Be a Hero". Retrieved 31 May 2018 – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ "Barbie as Rapunzel (Video 2002)". Retrieved 31 May 2018 – via www.imdb.com. [unreliable source?]
  18. ^ "Riva Taylor Opens the British Academy Games Awards With a Specially Written Song". www.bafta.org. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  19. ^ Evans, Denise (29 October 2014). "Singer @IamRivaTaylor to feature in first Video Games Live World Tour @assassinscreed". Manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
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